Book Smart vs Street Smart... or Both?
If you were asked to choose between being "book smart" and being "street smart", what would you choose? Is it better to have a wealth of lived experience to draw from, or is it better to have an arsenal of up-to-date information at your disposal? For the most qualified real estate professionals, the answer will always be "why not both?"
They understand that there is no substitute for experience when it comes to understanding their clients' needs and strongly negotiating on their clients' behalf to get those needs met. They also understand that the real estate industry is complex and ever changing, and that they will need to keep educating themselves in order to keep up if they want to provide their clients with the best service possible.
An Experienced Professional
There is only one way to gain experience, and I'm fortunate to say I have that in abundance. (Have a look at my ever growing list of satisfied clients.) But why only learn from my own experiences?
I meet monthly with a small group of successful and experienced agents. We share our past and recent challenges, and what we were able to learn from them. We also share the ways we've found to adapt what we have learned in the past to meet the shifting requirements of today's world.
As a Century 21 Agent, I also have the benefit of senior agents, knowledgeable brokers, and a highly-qualified legal team. When new challenges arise, their experience can be leveraged alongside my own to ensure my clients receive the best possible service.
An Educated Professional
Laws are revised. Markets shift. Technology changes. Ignoring any of these facts would spell disaster for even the most experienced real estate professional. We are only as effective as our understanding of the world around us allows us to be.
Every week, I am able to attend brokerage-wide meetings lead by knowledgeable professionals. We learn about new laws that are going into effect, and how our clients may be effected by them. We learn about changes in the market that will impact the decisions our clients need to make. And we learn about new technologies that will help us provide even better service.
Every morning, I am able to join remote "coffee chats" - a moderated forum where we review what we have learned and consider more detailed questions specific to our individual clients and their particular needs.
In real estate, a seasoned professional will not wonder whether to offer their clients the benefit of their experience or their knowledge.
I am happy to offer you both.