37 Steps Toward Becoming a 1.5 Real Estate Agent

originally published May 19, 2008

Open minded, but not distracted

In this 2.0 versus 1.0 world of disruption, confusion, chaos, I want to lead my business forward. Even though I am a great agent, I must continue to find new ways of demonstrating my greatness to consumers both on and offline. I do not want to become caught up in a stereotype, nor do I want to become the far left, or far right fringe. I want to appeal to as many opportunities as possible, I want stand out in a sea of repetition, and most importantly I want to do it effectively, and efficiently- I am by all accounts “The 1.5 Agent.”

In my practice I will

1. I will continue to educate myself on the Practice of Real Estate
2. I will continue to provide the most effective means of buying and selling real estate
3. I will continue to market in ways I have found to be most effective
4. I will continue to challenge my own knowledge in technology and new media
5. I will never forget my consumers and make them my priority
6. I will study and learn new methods of communication
7. I will continue to make communication my top priority
8. I will employ new methods of communication while continuing older ones that work
9. I will find new methods of delivering value content to my consumer
10. I will build and develop more sincere ways of communicating my value and skills
11. I will never be afraid to admit failure
12. I will always share my successes
13. I will continue to reach out to my community in social ways
14. I will never allow technology to distract me from my consumer
15. I will always vet new products for my consumers
16. I will only use vendors that add value to my service offering
17. I will always listen and be willing to try new ideas
18. I will always be willing to share ideas
19. I will ask my consumer what they think and feel
20. I will listen to my consumer as a means to better my practice
21. I will test the user experience often, and am willing to make changes that better serve
22. I will not abandon standards and practices that have stood the test of time
23. I will listen to the masses as means to look inward
24. I will make the investments necessary to improve consumer experience
25. I will improve my professional image
26. I will not alienate my profession with destructive commentary
27. I will speak up for the consumer in ways that are constructive and ethical
28. I will continue to give thought before I speak
29. I will actively involve myself in the conversation consumers wish to have
30. I will find new ways of meeting the consumer
31. I will mentor peers and recognize when it is I who needs to be mentored
32. I will not be afraid to stand up to peer pressure
33. I will be honest about my limitations
34. I will be a champion of ethical standards
35. I will continue to be pro-active in my community as well as my online communities
36. I will do my personal best to elevate my piece of the real estate profession
37. I will never build my success upon the failure of another’s business or reputation

My list is ever growing, expanding, adapting, and adjusting, I am the 1.5 Agent. I want to be the best agent, not the agent disruption says I should be. I am in a constant state of evaluation- I will repair only what is broken, strengthen what is weak, revitalize what is worn, and will always be openminded to change and the desires of my consumer- they are what matter most.