Comments on: Are We or Are We Not Like Borg?

By: Glenn fm Naples

Glenn fm Naples — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:32:58 +0000

Larry – I do tend to use a very narrow broom – like the details, so that I can better serve potential clients.

By: Paula Henry

Paula Henry — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:17:04 +0000

Larry – Welcome again! Not a trekkie here, but I’ll answer. I guess I don’t look for differences as much as similarities where we can learn and grow through our collective experience and knowledge.

Regardless of the MLS, paperwork, tax issues and licensing, we all bring the personal element to the industry in our individual style. Humanity makes us more alike than different – I’m not sure there is a need to converge.

By: Larry Yatkowsky

Larry Yatkowsky — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:57:34 +0000

Ines,

so bad. so good. and so right on the holiday but here’s the teaser. Who has more holidays?

and again thank you

By: ines

ines — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:31:00 +0000

I forgot! Welcome again! it’s so great to have you here.

By: ines

ines — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:30:23 +0000

Ooooh! and “informer” that’s cool! next time you ask, make sure it’s not during a National Holiday – the big difference between Canadian and US Realtors is that we celebrate different holidays – there! I said it.

By: Mark Eibner

Mark Eibner — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:12:45 +0000

we're at it again Are We or Are We Not Like Borg?: Click on this article and comment no.. http://tinyurl.com/5bg5dx

By: Jennifer in Louisville

Jennifer in Louisville — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:10:57 +0000

@ Jennifer – Shall I cast your ballot in the Borg box?

Yes, please do.

By: Larry Yatkowsky

Larry Yatkowsky — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:47:43 +0000

Vicki: that should read – waiting hear the bark

Benn: that should read – nuance of our individuality

@ Ginger: “I provide excellent customer service” – Exactly!

Dare I admit that I’m just as guilty. We often say thing these things without reflection. But, what does that statement mean? I often wonder.

To Benn’s point: Individually as a realtor what recognizable trait sets you apart from me. What makes a client think, act and say “unless Ginger is my Realtor I’m going into the corner and I’m going to pout. Without her I’m not buying or selling. So there!”
With respect as this is not meant to single you out – what really, really, really makes you special and sets you apart from the rest of the Borg.

@ Jennifer – Shall I cast your ballot in the Borg box?

By: Larry Yatkowsky

Larry Yatkowsky — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:05:12 +0000

@Vicki – Thanks for the hug. Re: taxes, sure we pay them as well otherwise the infrastructure of our cities just don’t happen. I’m sure there are watch-dogs everywhere who want make sure we get value for money spent. I’m waiting to hear the back on my street over the sidewalks as well. But first it’s a new sewer trunk line. Choices

@Rocky – We have reached an affordability issue in many parts of Canada. Provincially we have seen a drop in sales volume in the 30% range. Locally it’s over 40%. Ironically, the prices are up 4%. Go figure. Example: 33′ X 122′ lots in my neighborhood run at $1million. There is little chance that young families can buy in. My guess is the fat lady is tuning up.

@ Benn – I think your question is one worthy of discussion. I suspect it results from a lot of old school training. The tasks we perform as realtors are fairly straightforward. It’s the nuance of our individually that sets the performance apart.

@ Benjamin – thanks for the local update on the Waterloo region. topic for you: Do Blackberries make a difference in your real estate

@Bill – your comment reflects what Benn is referring to. From my perspective I think you might have the “same and different” positions reversed. I recognise from the outset that the “paper and rules” will be different. There is another post just for that which we could work on. What I am seeking is your perspective of why we in real estate are precluded from being the same. My warped mind looks to a more powerful force that I think is in front of us each day.

@ Glenn – your points are valid and thanks for adding them. I concur that there is a miriad of colors that differentiate individual processes (with attached costs) we perform. While they may seem to have been ignored my broom simply accepted those in the broad stroke.

By: Jennifer in Louisville

Jennifer in Louisville — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:03:33 +0000

Ultimately, its all pretty similar IMO. People want to sell a home. People want to buy a home. And you need to make it happen. The rest is just details. Local customs can be vastly different from area to area (like the term “closing escrow” is fairly common out west, but where I’m at people would look at you like you have 3 heads if you used the term). But its still doing a transaction, marketing/advertising, handling paperwork, dealing with people and getting deals done.

By: Ginger Wilcox

Ginger Wilcox — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:37:12 +0000

Laughing at Benn’s comment. How are you different from other agents? “Well, I provide excellent customer service.” Well- that is a first- no one has ever claimed that before!
I think most sales (and service) positions are basically the same- you may be in a different country, maybe in a different industry even, but there are a lot of similarities in the basics. It is the technical parts that may be different- laws, rules and regs, etc.. If I left real estate and went into financial service sales, don’t you think a good portion of what I have learned would carry over? Serving people and maintaining relationships is the same no matter where you live.

By: Glenn fm Naples

Glenn fm Naples — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:43:22 +0000

Larry – you pointed out differences and similarities – however, are there closing practices and costs which will vary from province to province as it does here in the states? Closing costs can actually vary on a county by county basis? Specific costs are the Owners Title Insurance Premium.

Thanks.

By: Rocky

Rocky — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:48:19 +0000

I love Waterloo, I actually lived there for a short spell in 1993.

By: Bill Lublin

Bill Lublin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:04:46 +0000

Larry – Really interesting question – Me, I think the similarities would be about the need to rpovide information that is interpeted through the filters of our experiences. The dissimilarities – probably more technical revolving around forms of ownership, transfer, lending etc.

I really like the borg analogy (first because I can spell it) because we are all linked where our experiences overlap – and my guess is that most of those will be human overlaps rather then technical.

Great post, eh!

By: Benjamin Bach

Benjamin Bach — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:12:46 +0000

Rocky, the market here is GREAT – well, I guess depending on what part of Canada you’re talking about.

Parts of Western Canada are softening now after a *very nice* run up in prices, but our little Waterloo Region (the tech centre of Canada, where Blackberry’s are made) is going strong.

Be Great
BenjaminBach.com

By: Benn Rosales

Benn Rosales — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:11:50 +0000

Someone pointed out to me once a question that always brought the same reply from agents- just ask a few of them seperately “what makes you different in the eyes of your clients from other agents?” The answer 10 out of 10 times I tried it was damn near identical. Try it and see what you learn, I promise, you’ll be rethinking your rethinking…

By: Rocky

Rocky — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:00:28 +0000

Interesting a Star Trek analogy. No, I am not a Borg… There are some tried and true methods out there for selling real estate, and I do not discount them. I am in to trail blazing and bringing my own style to real estate. I don’t put my ugly mug on my card, I wear Chuck Taylors, drive a 92 Dodge Spirit, work out of my home, sell REO’s exclusively, spell realy badley and do my very bestest to remember that it is not about me, but my client.

By the way, how is the igloo market? I hear most Canadian Realtors drive around in a DSUV, Dog Sled Utility Vehicle. Ok, bad joke. Happy blogging.

By: Vicki Moore

Vicki Moore — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:58:37 +0000

I knew there were some differences when a client told me about buying a house there v here. But when you asked about property taxes…all we pay are taxes. Great first work, Larry. Again, so glad you’re here.