Over the last couple months, I’ve had some deals that were real doozies- the kind where if someone asks you what’s going on, it’s so complicated that it would take a half hour just to explain all the ins and outs; the kind that requires expert advice, lots of phone calls, favors, and research.

When these situations start, it’s like watching a hurricane start to form. The winds pick up, the rain comes in, and everyone runs for cover except for the people left to report on it. They stand in the middle of it, gather information, relay the details to others, and tell everyone when it’s over.

They take the brunt of it regardless of their own well-being. Why? It’s their job.

Now, our job as Realtors isn’t life and death, but there are times when we’re sacrificing our own well-being for others. Times where we can’t sleep, feel mentally drained, and completely dragged down by the weight of the situation.

We’re left wondering why we’re in the storm alone doing the research and work when the other agent has bailed and waiting for updates that it’s passed.

I believe it comes down to problem solving skills. Either they lack it, or they don’t want to do it. And it’s annoying.

Years ago, my first broker was my go-to. I went to him for every question because I didn’t know any better, and he always helped. This worked well for me until we grew, he got busier, and he simply couldn’t help all of us new agents all the time.

So I had to learn how to help myself. This meant when I had a tax proration or title question, I called the title company. When I had a loan question, I called the lender. When I needed a repair estimate, I called a contractor. I cut out the middleman and went to the source.

And guess what? Not only did I get my answers quicker, but I formed relationships with those people that still exist today. And most importantly, I learned how to problem solve. Those skills and relationships are the only reason I’ve been able to keep these last few deals together.

I’m getting ready to start teaching pre-licensure classes next month. And you know what I’m going to tell the students? That in this career you must know how to build relationships and problem solve. 

You can’t sit around and wait for someone else to do the work. They won’t do it or if they do, it will take twice as long. You have clients who hired YOU to help them close their deal. So be a closer, not a procrastinator, and definitely not a quitter, and just get it done.

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Amy Gilpin, Associate Broker, Manager, ABR, SRES.

Sixteen years of helping clients. Nine years of helping agents. All for this crazy thing we call real estate.
Production Realty 517-879-4141 Jackson, MI Amy@ProductionRealty.com

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