Real Estate Articles
Connecting with people in real estate and other business
Top dogs in the real estate industry are upbeat about the spring market and told REALTORS® of a local trade association that they should prepare themselves for a good spring.
In a panel discussion at a Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® tour meeting, Mike James, vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's San Francisco Bay Area Region, said while sales were slightly down last month, he is optimistic because activity has picked up all around the Bay Area in the past two weeks.
"Even the East Bay and North Bay areas are finally starting to turn," said James. "If we can get through this, I'm confident this year will take off. This year will be a breakthrough."
How can agents prepare for a busy spring season? "REALTORS® should connect," said founder, president and CEO of Intero Real Estate Services Gino Blefari. "In our whole business here, that's what we do. We connect."
Blefari suggests 18 ways REALTORS® and anyone conducting any type of business can connect with others:
1. Be friendly and smile. Smile is the brother of friendly.
2. Project your self-image in a way that breeds confidence in others.
3. Always look someone in the eye; it's a tell-tale sign of your own self-respect.
4. Maintain a consistent positive attitude and you will receive positive responses and results.
5. No connection is made without some form of risk.
6. You need to prepare in order to win. Ninety percent of success is showing up prepared.
7. The less you focus on your motive to meet, the more likely your connection will succeed.
8. Take a genuine interest in other people. There are many ways to start a conversation.
9. The sooner you find something in common, the sooner all barriers will disappear.
10. The higher up the ladder you go, the more cautious people will be of your advances.
11. Your projected image will often determine your ability to make a real connection.
12. People judge you by every action you take.
13. Provide value in anything you do.
14. Transfer your message with excellent communication skills, so practice, don't wing it.
15. Staying in touch is more valuable than the initial connection.
16. Be consistent and always be ready. You never know when a powerful connection will be made.
17. Your present reputation determines your future fate.
18. Be yourself, act real, and others will do the same.
Rainy Hake, vice president of corporate affairs for Alain Pinel Realtors, emphasized the importance of keeping up with technology in the business world. She suggested building the foundation by having up-to-date information on your website and all contact information and materials; using the latest tech tools; purchasing a Wi-Fi card for hot spots; and being active in Facebook and other social media.
Chris Trapani, CEO and owner of Sereno Group, likened the real estate business to his recent experience playing in a world poker tournament, where he placed 12th among 400 players. He said the best players had to remain focused in order to play 60 hours of poker that week. "This required patience and endurance. The same is true in real estate. You have to be in great mental and physical shape to last all those hours," said Trapani.
"The middle of any journey is always the most difficult and you may want to quit, but don't," Trapani added.
It was the first time Trapani had played in a world poker tournament, so he was a bit nervous. "Have courage," said Trapani. "Much of what we seek in life that's meaningful is one step outside our comfort zone. If you know you have a good hand, have the confidence to put your chips out on the table."
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.