What makes a Realtor great and worth hiring? Is it the number of homes their office sells per year? The number of homes they sell per year? Does it matter if their office has the number one market share or if they own their own office and have very little market share but lots of personal sales?

Realtors can get so caught up in their own self promotion that they can forget what is most important. They begin to twist market data and distort facts. It is a remarkable feat that each agency can stake the claim of being "number" one. Whatever happened to making the client feel as though they were number one?

Economists talk about the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of the work is done by 20 percent of the people. Therefore when a Real Estate firm has one top producer who does 25 sales per year and that firm has 25 agents, it does not mean that each agent had one sale. Those types of numbers only water down the top producers numbers in an effort to shine light on the low producers. This of course is a very simplified example.

A truly great Realtor doesn't need to distort data to succeed. There are brand new agents who astonish the old savvy Realtors with great numbers in their early years and then there are Realtors who even against their own best and diligent efforts, can't manage to sell enough homes to make themselves valuable to a sales force.

A truly great Realtor has innovative marketing tools and the ability to develop strong and lasting personal relationships. They also develop a love for getting to know a house right down to it's most intimate details. A great Realtor knows how to make a property shine in it's best light. A great Realtor is a master at needs analysis.

In the end, for the truly great Realtor, their mastery of interpersonal skills, needs analysis, and innovative marketing tools, will be what makes them the Realtor worth hiring.

*Blog written by Jeannine Coburn of Hallmark Sothbey's International Realty

While you are out enjoying the holiday stroll this Saturday in Hopkinton Center, come by the office to make an ornament, have some hot chocolate and purchase tickets for the Hopkinton Education Foundation's Annual Winter Gala . . .

HEF Winter Gala 2009 Saturday, February 7, 2009 6:30 pm Lake View Pavilion Foxborough, Massachusetts (just off Route 1, before Gillette Stadium) Sit-down Dinner back by popular demand Tables of 10 or 12 Select-A-Prize Raffle Live Auction Game Room sponsored by Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty Live Entertainment TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH!! 9-11 am in the Hopkinton High School Lobby 11-4 pm at the offices of Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty (11 Grove Street, Hopkinton across from Colella's) 4-5 pm at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Town Common Cost $85 per person Tickets my be purchased for singles, couples, partial or full tables For more information regarding ticket sales, contact Libby Skiba at (508) 497-9465 or LIbby Skiba Accommodations are available at the following area hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Foxborough (508) 543-5222 Residence Inn by Marriott Foxborough (508) 698-2800 For more information about HEF and the grants currently being implemented in all of the Hopkinton Schools, visit www.HopkintonEdFoundation.org The Hopkinton Education Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit corporation that promotes excellence in education in the Hopkinton public schools through the funding of academic grants. The HEF relies on the generous donations from individuals and local businesses including its corporate sponsors: Star Realty, EMC Corporation, Phipps Insurance, The Milford National Bank, Hopkinton Wine & Spirits, Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty, Middlesex Savings Bank, The Richmond Group. For more information, please visit our website: The Hopkinton Education Foundation.

Hopkinton Holiday Stroll - Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty

Saturday December 6th 12-5:00

Please join in the holiday fun at Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty during the annual Hopkinton Holiday Stroll Get out of the cold and come inside for some hot chocolate, mulled cider and assorted homemade holiday goodies. We will have a craft project for the kids (and adults!) to make and decorate their own gingerbread ornament to take home and hang on the tree or give as a gift. Hope to see you there!