I had to borrow this one...

The following is a post a friend put up, geared at realtors but ait applies to lenders as well... It made me think... and then smile.

“The market sucks.”?

“I had another deal die.”?

“Rates are too high.”?

“No one will sell list their house.”?

“Another buyer went into contract without me.”?

“I lost a client because a discount agent undercut my commission.”?

“AARRGGHH!!”?

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We have all heard most of these uttered by agents around us (lenders too). Some of you may even have said a few of them. But guess what? Saying things like this does not help. Let me share a few things...?

First, those of you who know me would agree that I don’t get too high or too low. A lot of sales... “great” ... a rough week elicits an “oh well.” I have been in this business since 1989 and have seen it all, from easy markets to tough ones, from great years to challenges. Not much gets me overly concerned or excited. What I have learned is that we have a huge advantage over almost all other sales careers.?

“WE SELL ONE OF LIFE’S 3 MUST HAVE NEEDS... FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING.”?

Let’s face it... no one has to have a 75-inch tv or the latest video game. But people need shelter, and we get to be the one to help them with that basic need. Why has housing never gone down in price and stayed down? It is a basic need. ?

But housing has another factor that separates it from other products. It is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It is hundreds of thousands of dollars or more... most of us have housing as our highest monthly bill.?

Unlike cars or clothes, our home is also a major investment, the appreciation a major part of retirement planning and of building generational wealth. So, we help people build their financial future, take care of their family and leave a legacy for future generations.?

Second, homes sell in every market. Investors always buy and sell, families outgrow smaller homes, seniors move to retirement homes, builders build, and developers develop. In every market there are opportunities, we just need to find them. The only time in history where homes did not sell was the Great Depression, but after a few years of crash the market rebounded, and home values soared.?

The fact is, if all you have are buyers with a $250k price range and no ability to offer over asking, then you are certainly struggling. But you can improve your business by focusing on selling new builds, looking for investors or marketing for listings. You control the marketing and focus of your business, thus you can change your clientele as the markets change.?

Lastly, we have multiple income stream potential. We can sell residential, commercial or land. Flipping, buying Air BNBs, buying long-term rentals, building a team, recruiting, coaching... our license can help us earn in many ways. If you sell cars, you sell cars, but our industry has so many potential income streams. That should give us hope for all markets.?

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So what is the message of today's post? In a market where so many agents are struggling, we should be optimistic. Unlike most people who punch a clock or sell non-essential products, we...?

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• Control what we focus on?
• It does not take a lot of sales to earn a good income?
• There are so many opportunities that we can take advantage of?
• We control our marketing, our business plan and our efforts?
• Our services focus on an essential need?
• Housing will never not be needed, and the growing population means there will be a growing need, one that will not slow down anytime in the next few decades at least?
• Can have a side gig if needed?

While we are surrounded by pessimists and negative attitudes... we should be positive and upbeat. Agents around us can panic, complain and struggle... we can choose to work hard and succeed. We control what we do, how we react to things and our success. As Bobby McFerrin said, “don’t worry be happy.”?