First Principles

I have a lofty opinion about the role of the real estate agent.

That a country’s land should be owned by its citizenry is a concept not shared by many countries throughout history the world over.  But it is an ideal fundamental to American society, and is an ideal that champions the individual.  For us Americans, the right to private ownership of real property is a patriotic ideal.

By extension – all joking aside –the Real Estate agent is a patriot.  We men, in our polyester slacks with bulging pleats, un-tucked rayon shirts, and loafers, along with the women, in their Lane Bryant pant suits, and costume jewelry, are patriots.  We facilitate the land ownership desires of the citizenry on behalf of the country as a whole.  Closely connected to the development and history of all modern American communities, whether residential or commercial, whether big or small, are real estate agents.

The buying and selling of real estate is a very unique and powerful niche in our society.  It is unfortunate that although it has what I think is a very noble goal, it is characterized by fairly dishonorable salesmen and saleswomen.  The common perception of the real estate agent is that he is unconcerned with defending his clients, or serving his community, or with any moral position that would hinder the delivery of his commission check.  He is commonly seen as someone who brings very little to the table in the way of analysis, marketing, and negotiation skills.  Common perceptions can be inaccurate, but they, like clichés, come into being by being common.  Real Estate agents do not, by-in-large, maintain a good reputation as vanguards of their communities and its people.  Many, I suppose, do not see the higher purposes of the field.

I like real estate for its higher purposes.  I enjoy working in a field that, when served correctly, tends to improve not just my clients’ lives but also spreads good will cross the neighborhood.

I believe in fairness. When I see someone being taken advantage of, even if it is none of my business, it is almost impossible for me to stay out of it.  More than once I’ve gotten myself into some tight positions because I’ve thrown myself uninvited into a situation where someone wasn’t being treated right.  We all deserve a wing man.  We deserve to be expertly represented regardless of our economic, educational, or social status.  Practicing real estate gives me that opportunity to be an advocate for fairness.

Being involved in real estate allows me to be close to people who are really engaged in their lives.  Real estate is most often bought and sold at or near key moments in people’s lives.  Birth, death, marriage, divorce, financial success or failure: All of these key moments spark real estate transactions.  So just outside the issue of buying or selling the actual property, big issues swirl around the client, making them all the more vulnerable and anxious.

I feel honored to be invited into their lives for this typically stress-filled period.  It makes me feel like I not only have a career, but a purpose.  It is an opportunity to do more than make a living.  It’s an opportunity to make a difference.

Sometimes we get it into our head that a bigger house will somehow lead to a more prosperous life, and not the other way around.  We can make ourselves ignore the threat that higher payments will cause dangerous friction in our marriage or stress throughout our family.  We need to be careful that home buying or selling does not threaten the more important things in life, like family.

My job, then, is to understand what the client’s greatest desires are, to advocate for those desires, and to remind him when he is threatening them.  Once in a while that results in a decision to put off buying or selling, or to stay put indefinitely.  So be it.  Once the transaction begins, my job is to see it through to the best conclusion based on my client’s best interests.  My job, whether I get paid or not, is to give the best advice I can to my client and to see his goals met.  If I pull back on that in any way, then I am not being the professional, or the man, I am trying to be.

I have had experience and success in various fields, including business analysis, manufacturing analysis and process development, and have worked in Plant Management, Business Planning, Entertainment, and Education.

Finally, my professional experience in marketing and market analysis gives me a great advantage when it comes to representing my clients.