Category: mindset

Selling trust, not just houses

I’m a Realtor in the state of Ohio, with a focus on residential and investment properties in Northeast Ohio (buying/selling anything within a 45-minute drive of Medina).

I want to earn my clients’ trust by pointing out the pros AND the cons of any house purchase they’re considering. I’m not one to typically fluff up a house and try to “sell” my clients on buying it. Sure, I may get quicker sales if I only point out the positive things and don’t play devil’s advocate, but that is short-term thinking. My goal is to truly be their fiduciary – working for them as if I was working for my best friend or family member.

The way I see it is, if I tell clients the truth, even if it splashes a little cold water on their hopes, at least I know two things will come of it. First, I can sleep well at night knowing that I’m not a snake oil salesman. And second, if I earn that person’s trust and respect, I will earn a customer for life and hopefully get referrals for helping them.

If you or anyone you know is interested in buying/selling a home in Northeast Ohio, reach out to me today and I’ll see how I can help.

Success, happiness, and the life you want for yourself

What does success mean to you? For the longest time, I thought it was being great at your job, making a lot of money, winning (even in competitions you didn’t realize you were/are in). But none of that matters without happiness. If you are able to do those three things, but you’re not happy or those who matter most to you aren’t happy, then what’s the point? Granted, in order to feel happy, you need to feel useful. But you can be useful by doing other things – by helping around the house, by making others feel good when they’re around you, by having a good balance of achieving goals but still relaxing with friends and family…not everything needs to be about hitting goals. If that’s your life, you’ll eventually discover that “winning” something only brings temporary happiness and it never loves you back. Take care of those around you, try to achieve balance in your life, and work at being happier each day. Because, if I have to choose money or happiness, I’d choose happiness.

Happiness EQUALS success.

Success does not necessarily EQUAL happiness.

Ability

There is natural ability (what you’re capable with very little training) and there is learned ability (effort that you put in to increase your overall ceiling for achievement). Don’t rely too much on natural ability. This can lead to overconfidence and a lackadaisical approach to learning, growing, or improving. Don’t discredit yourself thinking that you don’t have much natural ability either. You are more capable than you believe. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re less likely to step out of your comfort zone and try to tackle new challenges that can help you grow.

Start off on the right foot

If you ask someone questions, ask out of curiosity, not out of judgment. They will be much more open/receptive to honestly answering your question AND potentially working on a solution with you if you are asking in a way where it isn’t questioning their decision-making skills.

If you come off as judgmental, the other person will shut down and become defensive (this is the reason I avoid phrasing a question as “why did you do that this way?”). Instead, try to ask open-ended questions and start off on the right foot.

What is your why?

If you start something, take a moment to ask yourself why you’re doing that. Are you doing it for your own personal satisfaction? For a better life for your family? For money, recognition, or ego? You should always have a why. No why is wrong, but the stronger your why, the more willing you’ll be to work for whatever it is you’re doing. If you have a weak why, you’ll give up at the first sign of struggle.