Getting Smart Hurts
Posted August 9th, 2009 in Real Estate, Sharing the Experience | 
Crunch
Feeling the crunch started early this past week in San Francisco. The occasion was a whirlwind of seminars, group sessions, meeting, greeting new and old friends who come together to share ideas and real estate marketing philosophies. The place to find what was, what is and what will be, happens at the REBarCamp and Inman Connect Conference.
Each day’s multiple sessions often continued into the night as we grouped together over dinner and drinks where each were eager to share thoughts and understanding of the day’s lessons and yes, to decompress. Frenzied group discussions, at coffee shops, restaurants and bars took place where all sought to understand methods aimed at improving the real estate experience for consumers.
The Goal
“Oh sure”, you say; that sounds trite. In reality however, there are a league of Realtors including myself, who believe that the only thing we as professionals have to offer is a service rooted in the ability to deliver and maintain amongst other things, a high level of ethic, trust, guidance in financial matters, construction, negotiation and market knowledge.
The challenge constantly before us in this ever changing business, is to find effective solutions and methods that assist us to deliver high quality real estate service. The advent of social media has great influence and combined the ever growing stream of new technology makes the task of choosing the right form daunting. Helping each other, we come together in this forum. With singular goal we seek – to freely share our knowledge, experience and abilities so that we might add value to and improve the consumer’s experience.
Gathering
From this humble Realtor’s perspective, attending this conference is a ‘must’. One caveat is the restrictive nature of time. It creates an unfortunate by-product of needing to compress every minute into moments. There is so much to learn, so many people to speak with and all in such a short time. Signs include laptop battery low, traditional note book crammed with thoughts, pockets filled with quick notes, conversation notes, jotted ideas and web addresses for further future research. Added are the multitude of business cards and of course swag from vendors.
Take Away
When the final forum bell rings, parting handshakes from new and old friends are extended, hugs confirm old bonds cementing and new bonds beginning. With each, is a realization that we Realtors can and do strive to make a difference in the real estate buying and selling experience delivered to the consumer. As you part, you are worn, tired, and in awe of ideas and things learned and friendships made.
Safe Passage
Getting smart in a short time hurts. Like our poor friend on the sidewalk in San Francisco, you feel the crunch! You are flat out exhausted but, in a good way and only for a brief period. Things learned revitalize and confirm through the knowledge gained that as a professional, you have re-qualified your ability to assist. Possession of the knowledge offers the consumer comfort knowing that while guided as they work with a trained Realtor, they will not suffer the fate of our pictured friend, and will pass safely on their path through the real estate process.
