Sheri Greenman

I know we are coming off of 2 years of frustration and sometimes desperations to get business. After awhile, it almost becomes a mind-set to get business, any way, any how. But yesterday I had a wake-up call.

I was referred a buyer from a very successful producer that is so busy she has no time to take out buyers through the spring market. I was very happy, and of course grateful for the extra business. Now, I am no slouch in Real Estate. I am on my 9th year, and have had my ups and downs, but I keep on ticking. Still, after the last 2 years, I am anxious to get my business back on track.

So yesterday, this new "client" had me running around from here to there, showing her houses. Her emails are frantic, she is looking all over the place, she keeps adding towns, etc. It finally occured to me--"STOP"!! This isn't her fault, it is mine. I was so happy to get her as an extra client that I never took the time to find out what her story was. I skipped the fundamentals of interviewing a new client. I just became a chauffeur running from house to house without really knowing what she was looking for, or why.

I think we all need to take a step back and remember we are professionals that should guide our clients, not the other way around.

Before I take her out again, I will have a serious talk as to her needs, and then I will give her advice and guidance. I will take back my power as a seasoned Realtor and realize that we guide our destiny, not the other way around.

How many times have you heard a real estate agent say "I could write a book about the things that happen to me in Real Estate". I know I am always saying it. In fact, whenever something funny, sad, crazy, etc happens with a client, I just turn to them and say, "Don't worry, that will be chapter ___". (fill in the chapter).

Let me give you one little example.

After being in Real Estate for 2 years, and doing hardly any business, I decided to change offices and give it one more try. It was in February of 2003, after 9/11, and we were in the throes of the anthrax scare.

I decided I was going to send out a mailing to my SOI announcing my move. Being it was around Valentine's Day, I thought it would be a cute marketing thing if I sent along with my announcement those little Valentine candies that have sayings on them. (you know the ones, the little pink, or orange, or yellow ones that say "Your mine" or "I love you" or some other valentiney message).

I wrote this wonderful letter, added a candy, and off they went to the post office. Did I have any idea that when the post office passed the letter through their machines, that the candy would get crushed and become a white powder?? Well, don't ask what ensued! The phone started ringing off the hook, and the police called to investigate me and this mysterious white powder. Can you imagine? People that I KNEW actually called the police on me!

Needless to say, it was a pretty funny (and lets add embarrassing and humiliating) beginning in my new office.

Chapter 1!!

Who out there has a funny story to add? Lets see how many "chapters" we can come up with!!