Perception is in the eye of the beholder, and finding out what other’s think of you and your profession is interesting if not a bit daunting. I’m a Realtor® and have been for over ten years. I love what I do. I love meeting new people, hearing new stories, helping folks find a home that suits their needs. I love helping others sell their homes so they can move on with life.
As a Realtor®, I do not consider myself a sales person. Others may view all Realtors® that way. Personally, I view myself as a service provider. I don’t just sell homes. I listen to needs, arguments, conflicting opinions, and show many homes to help a buyer find just the right one for all of their needs. It is not an easy task. I help line up movers, storage, lawn mowing, snow blowing, dentists, eye care, specific grocery stores, libraries, soccer coaches, child care centers, churches, hair stylists, and schools. There are times I do all of the above, and they decide to move to Ann Arbor instead of Iowa City. Oh, well.
While there may be other perceptions out there about the role of a Realtor®, my objective in writing this is to paint my own picture of what a Realtor® is and what a Realtor® does. But this is a good sample of what my past years as a Realtor® have been like. I hope this helps clear the air about what we do, and what value we add to any housing transaction. For me, it is not about the sales. It is about the service.
