by Vanessa Puleo
Special to Realty/Builder Connection
Hard markets lend themselves to some hard decisions. I have not met a Realtor yet that loves change. We all act strange when there is change happening!
Change in a market will often lead to insecurity. Think for a moment about the buyers and sellers. Buyers don’t know if they should buy, or wait. They keep hearing the market is going down and are being told by family and friends to “hold out” until they purchase. Sellers on the other hand, are holding onto their pricing. They dream about buyers, coming in with low offers, and driving their prices down! Talk about feeling a little strange or insecure!
Then it comes to us, the Realtor. How do we keep the fear and emotions of the buyers and sellers away from our own?
Having entered the business in 1990, it was already an interesting market. Listings stayed on for about one year, buyers were coming in with low offers, and sellers were struggling to hold on. That was just the fact, and everyone knew it. Going into a market like that to launch a real estate career was not strange. I didn’t know any different!
But now we do know the difference. And the fear and insecurity around the market can often lead to one thing in your office. Uncertainty, questions, wasted time questioning if your office is the right one for you - or even your management team?
Now is the perfect time to wonder about all those “web leads” your company has talked about. And what about referrals? Have you found yourself asking “what has my company done for me lately to generate business” or starting to question your owner or manager? Are you talking to your neighbor about what he or she things too?
I am not saying that there may not be fundamental or structural things within an organization that need attention - however I am suggesting that you do one thing for yourself in a moment like this. Change your desk.
Literally - find another desk in your office! Switch with someone if needed!
Recently I was contracted to work in a large firm here in Boston. One person had been at the same desk for years, and when she moved to a new “location” her business went through the roof!! It was like someone changed he glasses.
It is like taking a vacation...you see things differently, hear things differently - and will most likely find that you have a different attitude to an ever changing market.
Spice up your business a little. A simple “change of scenery” will probably do wonders for you and your business.
— Vanessa Puleo owns a national real estate training, coaching and consulting company. More information is at www.vanessapuleo.com or at 407-227-2695.