the letdown

You know when you are working really hard toward something, and you are all excited about it and intensely focused on it.  And then, it happens...and...  Right.  Definitely in a weird funk right now.  Just a "what now" moment, you know?  It'll pass...especially with business going the way it is.  Two settlements next week, the ratified contract from last weekend is closing in three weeks, and another contract offer should be "out the door" in a couple of days.  Meanwhile, meeting with a new client tomorrow, and have two more client-prospects that I am corresponding with.

 

Anyway, my rant about "professionalism" needs to happen.  So, in an industry where 5% of the agents do 90% of the business, and 10% of the agents do 80% of the business, it friggin amazes me how many Realtors are hung up on this whole professional image bs.  It ain't like it works for these people.  I have become increasingly confused over the past few months that clients can care less about what most Realtors think is important.  People want an agent that they like as a person, and that they can trust.  What I'm wearing, what I'm driving, etc...bah.  So, when I walk into the office to consult with a client wearing a cap, t-shirt, and jeans, who cares?  Does he like me?  Does he think he can trust me?  If so, as long as I'm not wearing a pink tutu or a gorilla suit, I think I'll be okay.

 

Don't get me wrong...I understand dress code, and I understand professionalism to some extent.  I'm not saying that going around dressed like a slob is okay, as long as you have a "nice personality."  That's bogus.  Show the clients that you have some self-respect.  But, seriously, professionalism at the cost of being human, in my opinion, is actually bad business; it can be a wall that actually hinders your client-agent relationship.

 

Okay...that's my rant.  Here's my e-mail to my office manager from Monday, as I think it will illustrate well what I am talking about:

 

I am sure somebody is going to complain to you about my lack of anything close to dress code today.  I just want to assure you that I do take the code seriously, whether or not I agree with everything about it.  Having moved this weekend, my clothes were (and are) still in boxes, and I was still extremely busy handling a number of issues related to the move.  The client I met with was a referral from the ratified contract that I just got this past weekend, and he would like to follow the lead of his friends and get an investment property for himself.  Based on his schedule, the rapport we had on the phone, and the "strike-while-the-iron-is-hot" factor, it seemed unwise to reschedule on him.  I met with him and apologized for my dress and explained the situation and he was just happy that I was able to meet with him...and we are going out with full intention to buy a property on Wednesday.

 

Anyway, just wanted you to hear it straight from me, whether you heard it from somebody else or not.  I know several of the other agents were complaining about it to other agents...seriously, I wish people would just ask me about it directly, but such is life, I guess.

 

It's late...time for bed.

Peace,
Greg