JL's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog

 It's no big secret that consumers don't go out of their way to trust us Realtors. In fact most reports that I have read concerning consumer confidence rank us between attorneys and used car salesmen. Well, despite their own struggles with public perception, I know attorneys and used car salesmen that I like and trust.

 As far as our issues are concerned, maybe it's time blame is placed where it belongs. It's our fault. No, it's not the fault of every Realtor that Realtors have a bad reputation where the public is concerned, but it is the fault of Realtors that the public no longer trusts us and many of them do not want to deal with us. There are simply too many of us that did not and do not do the job right.

 The fact of the matter is there are all to many Realtors in this business who could care less about the well being of their clients. They could care less about ethics and they could care less actually representing their clients. The only thing they care about is their next commission check and how they are going to get.

 These are the Realtors that will lie through their teeth and promise the impossible to get a listing or sign a buyer. They are out there and we all know it and so do the consumers. Most people who do not want to deal with Realtors have a very good reason for their animosity towards our profession. They have more than likely had a bad experience with one of the Realtors that I am talking about and now we are guilty by association.

 Most of us know the importance of doing the job right and ensuring that our clients are happy. But we will suffer for the decisions made by less than moral agents just the same. We have to educate the public and change their perception of us. We have to make them comfortable with their decision to use our services. We have to accept that we are blame for their feelings to toward us and correct it.

 If you're looking for a new home community in Forest Acres, SC with a little character, the you're in luck. We are currently in the process of building the model home for Rockbridge Village which will be one of the first new home communities in the Forest Acres area in quite some time.

 We are excited as we mover ever closer to the grand opening later this year. Rockbridge Village will feature Carriage Homes built by Soveriegn Homes, a local Columbia builder with a stellar reputation for quality building and excellent customer service.

 Rockbridge Village is located off of Rockbridge Road in Forest acres and is within minutes of downtown Columbia, SC. It's also right next to the well known Rockbridge Country Club. As if all this wasn't enough to spark your interest a little, then we will get back to that community character that I was speaking of earlier.

 The picture to the left is part of the walking trail that is open to all home owners with Rockbridge Village. And like all walking trails, this one comes to an end, but this one has an end worth seeing.

This is Spring Lake, and it's the end of our trail in Rockbridge Village.

 I talk to a lot of agents and salespeople in general who are a little more than depressed about the current market. It's understandable as frankly, times are hard for a lot of folks. But there are some tried a true methods that will bring you success in virtually any market and most of them are common sense.

 10 - Make the call - I know how hard it can be sometimes to pick up that 20 pound phone and make the call. The last thing you want to hear is another no, but you have to reach out to people if you want new clients. So when you get a lead, use it, and make the call.

 9 - Follow up - When you make the initial contact with someone, try to assess their needs and see how you can help. Most Realtors fail at follow up so if you do it right, you remain ahead of the pack.

 8 - No lead is a waste of time - Every lead is worth working so do the best you can. One thing is for sure, if you don't work a lead it's a wasted lead. That doesn't mean it would be a waste of your time to work it and there's only one way to find out.

7 - Do what works - If you notice something you are doing is creating opportunity for you, then keep at it. Whether it's open houses, blogging, first time home buyer seminars, or just talking to anyone that will listen. If it works for you then keep doing it and it will keep working.

6 - Be consistent - What ever you do to advertise yourself and your business requires consistency for success. You yourself need to be consistent in your efforts to promote your services.

5 - Learn the value of time - Time is a valuable thing and you shouldn't waste it. Spend your time during the day managing your business and making efforts to draw in more business. If going home for a two hour nap in the afternoon doesn't benefit you, then skip the nap and hit the bricks.

4 - Stop fearing failure - One the fastest ways you can fail in this life is to constantly fear that you will fail. It's called a self fulfilling prophecy and that's not a road you need to travel down. At some point in life, we all fail, but that's usually the first step toward success. Edison said that most people fail because they didn't realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

3- Be available - No one works 24/7, that's a myth that Realtors like to spread around. But, that doesn't mean you strictly work a 9 to 5 schedule either. You have to be available when your clients are available.

2- Don't second guess yourself - If you make a decision, then stick with it and move on. Second guessing yourself gets you no where and it helps no one. It's the rest of the world's job to second guess you and why with unemployment so high would you want to put others out of a job. Let them do their Job and you keep doing yours.

1 - Get over rejection - Rejection is not a fun part of life, but it's part of life none the less. This business will make that fact painfully obvious at times, but you have to press forward. Some will say no, but some will say yes and that's why you ask the question. If I told you how many ladies told me know compared to the those whose number I got, you'd likely wonder why I didn't give up dating a long time ago. It took me a year and a half to get my wife to date me. Notice I said wife. We've been together for 9 years and married for three. You have to be persistent in life and in business, and in the end it pays off for both.