FIX BEFORE YOU FLOP

The idea of this article came to me in order to share with everyone my most recent sale. They say real estate is a tough gig. I agree. However, I think most people don't understand why. Yes, finding a person that is willing to spend $500k+ on anything is difficult, but I think there is another element more difficult.

That element is finding your niche in the market you stand to represent. What I mean by that is, asking yourself the question why you got into real estate? (or whatever the career). Yes, we all want to be the face of a $10M beachfront listing in Malibu, getting featured on a hit TV show, but in reality thats not going to happen to most agents. Ask yourself what draws you to these homes you are selling, is it the money, is it architecture, is it the feeling you get when you help someone find the perfect home, whatever it is you have to run with it.

My first year in real estate was a maze study and I was the rat, until I found that food pellet. ;) Nevertheless, I struggled to find my why and focused too much on making that "big" check. That eventually changed when I found my why. My why was to make the client as much money as possible because no matter what I get paid, if I crush it for them, more will come.

Notice the photos of the two homes above, they are the same house. Built in 1960, the original owners moved in for about 10 years, then bought a new home and rented it out to the same people for the next 40 years. What a trip right? This house was a complete disaster when they turned it over to me to sell. I loved it. Saw potential instantly, and I started calling investors I had on the back burner. Meanwhile, I recommended my seller get an appraisal and inspection report to have leverage. Appraisal came in at $480k, so the bidding began. Started with at $465k, then another at $480k, then another at $485k, then $490! Finally, someone out bid the rest and the home was sold for $501k. My client's heart was set on $500k and I exceeded. That is WHY I love real estate.

In the end, every deal is a learning experience. So to all of you reading this, whatever your career may be, I know there was a reason why you got started in the first place. Take some time to find the light and FIX the problem before you FLOP!!

Oh and call me if you want to buy a house ;) Thanks for reading!