Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth

With so much emphasis you read about Social Media and its impact on business, the Realtor's job is to meet with people, qualify them, and assist them with a buying or selling transaction of real property. The "money earning" hours are done in performing this task. Think of it as the meat and potatoes of real estate. Sure there is marketing, and web site development, and records filing, but many of these functions are the overhead actions of the business.

Find your customers, sell them on working with you, put your real estate knowledge to work, overcome the business obstacles and CLOSE the business. Meat and potatoes are good. It is what sustains you and brings home the paycheck that leaves you feeling satisfied.

New Dog Breeds

The following breeds are now recognized by the AKC:

Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up easy for transporting

Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up alot

Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes

Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, not a popular dog with CIA agents

Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by... oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work

Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

Many real estate agents along their career paths go in to somewhat of a cruise mentality when it comes to continuing education. There is a fundamental reason

Why reading, taking classes, and certifications are so important.

That is, because no one can ever take it away from you.

Designations, licenses, certifications, multiple degrees, cross training in different areas, technology skills, etc. all make you a very valuable YOU in the marketplace not only individually but also to your family. You should not look at education as a grind, but new kinds of exploring and adventure. Take it with a sense of wonder. All subjects will not appeal to you of course, but keep trying many of them.

The second tip beyond no one taking away what you earned is COMPLETE a program. Don't be one who just takes classes but if you want a degree or an advanced degree, GET IT. Want to be a Broker? Get it. Want a Staging certification? Get it. Want to also sell insurance? Get licensed. The world is yours for the taking once properly trained. You can NEVER get too much education.

Enjoy learning. It really polishes up that great mind that we all knew you had all along.

Be a lifelong learner. Then you can turn around and teach others.

In working with clients it is a give and take exchange with the dialogue and the information. Ultimately though with a professional's expertise you want to

Lead Them To Where You Want Them To Go.

This is not manipulation but presenting the best options for their situation and is helpful. It is done with lots of open ended questions that elicit long responses. Learning about everything they want. Not short answer type questions like who? what? and when? but more why?, tell me more, explain that to me in greater depth? How does that make you feel? A lot of why? questions too. As more elaboration follows AND YOU BE QUIET AND LISTEN, you know what your next open ended question is to go down the path you are trying to lead them, if there is a fit.

Are women better at this? The road to a man's heart is through his stomach!! A lot of women are great cooks!! Hmmm...