WARNING
If your idea of real estate makes “Jack a dull boy”, please turn back now. I believe that if we can’t have a laugh once in awhile, we’re nothing more than stuffed shirts who take ourselves way too seriously. I am dead serious about my business, but I can also have a laugh with my friends, clients, and fellow agents. You have been warned.
Foreword
I was a rockstar. You’re probably all tired of hearing it, but the fact is I spent fourteen years of my life living, eating, breathing, and punishing my body and mind for the cause of rock and roll. I have the scars to prove it. I was never as cool as Scott Ian or Yngwie Malmsteen, but I watched 100,000 people sing along and rock out with me in one sitting. If you ever get the chance to perform for that many people at once, I suggest you take it, it will blow your mind. The rock and roll world is often one that is misunderstood and the perception that the public holds for rockstars has always been a bit skewed. I was reminded of this when I heard an agent talk about the public’s perception of what we do and how we live as real estate agents. A post was born.
Acknowledgements
This post is for Lani Rosales, who’s excitement over the thought of this post spurred me to write it. I only hope it doesn’t disappoint. And for Gwen Banta – although my post will never make anyone laugh like she can, I aspire to be able to get half a chuckle like she gets guffaws. And last but not least, this is for Ken Brand. A man who confuses, entertains, excites, and educates me all at once. If I could write like him, I would need far fewer words.
How can two industries so different be so alike?
Although there may be many difference between us, Realtors® and rockstars aren’t all that dissimilar. The two professions are more intertwined than you may think, so here’s some food for thought:
Rockstars are independent business people, agents are too.
Rockstars have to perform to survive, agents need to perform or their brokers will let them go.
Rockstars show up in shorts to work, agents work short sales.
Rockstars sign autographs for fans, agents get referrals from them.
Rockstars like to stay up late and party, agents get to stay late with all parties involved to solve the issue.
Rockstars get catering backstage, agents get catered lunches at new home communities.
Rockstars show up to work with a beer in hand, agents network even if they have a mojito in their hand.
Rockstars have funny haircuts, agents often have business cards with photos from the 80s (need I say more?).
Rockstars live on a tourbus, agents live in their cars.
Rockstars sign contracts with major labels, agents write them for stick “Sign Here” labels on them.
Rockstars pay ridiculous amounts for insurance so they don’t get sued, agents do too.
Rockstars don’t get health care, agents wish they did.
Rockstars buy fancy houses in the Hollywood Hills, agents get to sell them.
Rockstars often think their fame will never end, agents thought the heady days of outrageous sales numbers would never end.
Rockstars can say whatever they want in an interview, agents can say anything they want as long as it doesn’t violate the Code Of Ethics, Fair Housing Laws, state law, local board regulations, or your broker’s rules.
Rockstars get to see naked people backstage, agents see them at showings.
Rockstars have gold records on their walls, agents get a gold Realtor® pin and a sales award.
Rockstars get offered drugs, agents keep a steady supply of Tylenol at the ready.
Rockstars can’t wait to get home, agents can’t wait to sell them.
And thanks to public perception, this one will always be my favorite…
All rockstars are rich, live in mansions, and own a fleet of Bentleys, all agents make a killing on each sale, but drive economical cars so that they look poor and the public takes pity on them.
Just a few observations, I’m sure there are more. Can you think of any ways that agents and rockstars are the same? Imagine how fun you’ll be at your next sales meeting when you can compare the two professions and say you learned it from a real life rockstar (no one said you had to tell them I was b-list)?
