“I’ve known a few guys who thought they were pretty smart
But you’ve got being right down to an art
You think you’re a genius-you drive me up the wall
You’re a regular original, a know-it-all
Oh-oo-oh, you think you’re special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you’re something else.”
— Shania Twain
Get real
Everyone has encountered one or two (or more) in their real estate careers. The big shot agents with the big time egos. Let’s get real. We’re helping people buy and sell homes. Even the top agents and brokers in the country wouldn’t be able to afford the swanky limousine service for which Tom Daschle forgot to pay income taxes.
Movie stars who make $30 million a picture and are household names — I can understand the ego.
Ditto the Senator who makes decisions and writes legislation that affects their state, the country, and global politics. But, what… you sold $12M, $22M, or $40 gazillion dollars worth of homes last year, you own the subdivision, and they recognize you at the grocery store? Big whoop!
Bajillionaire Agents? Please.
Probably thousands of blog posts have been written about whether it’s wise to include “Top 1% of Agents” or “Multi-Million Dollar Producer” on your business card or in your ads. I’m not going to rehash and revive this debate. How you advertise to consumers and your potential clients is your business. Agents and brokers who want to continue to spew forth this drivel, please feel free.
However, when working with and communicating with your fellow colleagues, please know that
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
When cooperating with another agent on a transaction, I care that they are responsive. I care that they act ethically. I care that they are pleasant. While they represent their client, and I represent mine, and we both want the best deal for our respective clients, ultimately we and our clients all want the same thing — a hassle-free transaction that settles on time.
Do they need to brag?
What I don’t care about is the agent’s biography and sales statistics. Like every area, we’ve got a few major players who everybody knows about. I’ve worked with several of them on sales in the past and am working with a few now. You know who I’m talking about — 20-30+ years in the business, their smiling mug is everywhere — print, online, shopping carts. They don’t brag about their business… they don’t need to. Everybody in the business likes them and respects them, and they silently go about year after year selling tons of homes.
Here’s a shocker…
…the braggers are the mid-level folks. They’ve sold more homes than you and been in the business slightly longer, but haven’t really made a name for themselves yet. They rattle off their sales stats quicker than two pre-pubescent boys negotiating a baseball card trade. They believe that because they sold a few dozen homes last year, they know everything about the business and they know it better than you — although they never ask or inquire as to how much business you’ve done.
You know what? Save it for your ads.
You sold $40 mil last year but don’t have an e-mail address on your business card?
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
You run full page ads in the local paper every week, but don’t return my phone calls?
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
You’re in the Circle of Legends, Champion’s Club, or Gold Elite, but filled out the contract incorrectly?
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
Bottom Line: When dealing with other agents and consumers, we care about how you handle the immediate transaction and your responsive and pleasant service — not how many homes you sold this month or what percentage of listing appointments you win.
“You’re Tarzan!
Captain Kirk maybe.
John Wayne.
Whatever!
That don’t impress me much!“
