James Dray

I went to our weekly sales meeting last week. As I sat down I was not ready for the talk I was about to receive. Keep in mind for 29 years I was a hard-core cop. You name it I've seen it for those of you who have not been in the military and been in battle or in law enforcement we can tell you stories that can curl your toe nails. Anyway during the meeting the speaker was so focused on his presentation you could tell he was talking from the depths of his soul. He was passionate to the point of almost breaking down to tears. When someone is that committed and focused you need to pay attention to the speaker you don't find many of those these days. We will cover two of the seven points I took away today and the rest later.

I have found even in myself sometimes I am so focused on a subject I can tune out the rest of what's going on around me. At times that's a good thing and at times it's not. Let's discuss commitment just a little. When you first get a new client we are all focused and committed for awhile until or unless it becomes difficult to find the client that "special" home or property they are wanting. Other things come up and the client is placed on the back burner and in time they are not forgotten they are just passed by as we move on. Did we not take an oath to serve the client?

All I'm saying is that I think from time to time we need to step back a few paces and reevaluate ourselves. Remember when we first started and how we felt when we got that first buyer? Remember that first paycheck and how good it felt and how hard you worked for it?

Maybe just maybe it's time to get focused and committed again just like you were when you first started and to feel that feeling. Like the speaker who was so passionate in the message maybe we need to be that focused and committed as I'm sure the vast majority of us are to the client. I've reevaluated my commitment have you? Remember "It's a great day to buy or sell a home."

Visit me at www.sellnwa.com

I find myself doing what I said I would not do. When I was a police officer and met up with other law enforcement officers no matter where it was without fail we would talk shop. That is we would talk about what was going on in the business. It didn't make any difference if it was a State, county or municipality it was all the same. Each had it own thing going wrong and there was always room for improvement. Then without losing a beat we would get into the local person(s) who were the trouble makers and the fights, chases and wrecks we worked etc.

In real estate it's not much different; the subject matter has changed of course. We don't talk about blood and guts and that sort of thing but its shop talk all the same I'm drawn right into it and I love it.

I told myself I would not get into this sort of thing but I can't help it. I like hearing how other agents get listings, closing deals, what techniques they might use to get clients. You can get valuable information and maybe tweak some of what you're doing to get more clients. Have you obtained information that made you change the way you do business and has it worked for you? Man I love this job. Remember "It's a great day to buy or sell a home."

Visit me at www.sellnwa.com

Okay I understand having a web presence is something one needs to a certain extent in today's market. However do you need your own individual web site? I have tried a couple of different web builders that are reported to be BIG HITTERS in the business but for me so far they are duds.

They have not produced what they promised and I am to the point to where I will have a CHEAP and I do mean cheap site with just basic information data and that's it.

So tell me has your site worked for you? I'm spending money on something that has not returned anything and I'm getting ready to dump this thing unless it starts to turn around. It's got to work or there would not be so many out there so that tells me I'm either doing something wrong or I haven't given it enough time.

I haven't been known for my patience so 3 weeks might be cutting it a little short. I don't know maybe another week or two are do you think I've waited too long and should go ahead and cut the cord? Remember "It's a great day to buy or sell a home."

Visit me on the web at www.sellnwa.com

Brothers and sisters let me tell you I have just overcome one of the most difficult barriers of my short career in this business.

I have been dealing with this client from another country with a language barrier and I am now beginning to understand what she is saying. Also I now know there was some trust issues on the client's part but within the last two weeks I have successfully overcame that issue.

Just think it only took three months and at times I was almost and I mean almost ready to throw in the towel and tell the client to go find someone else I have had enough. I haven't shown that many places compared to some of my former clients it's the language barrier that had me more frustrated than anything else.

Patting myself on the back knowing my temper I'm proud of myself for not cutting my own throat and hanging in there. Persistence and perseverance will result in a payday either later this month or early in November. You learn something every day, when you don't it's time to leave and go into another line of work. Remember "It's a great day to buy or sell a home."

Visit me at www.sellnwa.com

Last week I received an email via AR from a female who lives across the State. She told me she had just passed the State exam and was interested in getting into commercial real estate. She also said she and read one of my blogs and found it very entertaining and full of good knowledge (YEA FOR ME!!!)

Anyway she had wanted some of my advice with some help from some trusted sources from around the office I sent her what I thought was some sound and well thought out advice. I have not received any confirmation of if she has taken me up on my advice or not but it's comforting to know I might have had some influence on a person wanting to get into this profession.

People do read these blogs and words do have meaning so I knew some people were reading these but now I may take it a little more seriously (not that I wasn't before) when I write these. Well it's getting late and I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow I have a home to sell remember "It's a great day to buy or sell a home."