5 Things Harry Potter has taught me about Real Estate

 5 things Harry Potter has taught me about Real Estate: 1) Being in the Weasley family is way cool. There is nothing like being a part of a family. As an agent I didn’t like thinking in these terms - I wanted to be a lone wolf. But, as an office leader I can tell you without a doubt there is nothing more valuable to an agent's success than being a part of an office culture and a team that is focused on success. And, just like the Weasleys, it’s nice to have someone always having your back! 2) Stay away from people who look like snakes, because they might bite - but if you can speak to snakes, it might help. Unlike Lord Voldemort, the evil real estate agent does not have a face that looks like a snake, so it might be more difficult to stay away from those of our kind who do things the way they shouldn’t. BUT, in a market like today’s we must do business anywhere we can. Therefore, being vigilant is vital. If you have a sense that the other side is doing business in a way that makes you uncomfortable, communicate it. Communicate to your boss, to their boss, and to anyone who will listen. This is the best way to serve your client and their needs. 3) The forbidden forest is a bad place, so don’t go there. Yup. It is. So if you value everything you hold dear, stay away from anything that you think sounds sketchy or too good to be true, because guess what - it is. In the last 12 months I have seen more potential fraud than I can believe, and it makes me sick. The only thing we can do is to stay educated on what is right, and to stay away from what is wrong. That, in the end, will keep us safe. 4) Dementors are scary and depressing, so make sure your patronus is really strong. There is nothing more frustrating than those who carry around the dark cloud of death and infect the rest of us with it. I’m serious. In my office, I have worked very hard at eliminating those who are doom and gloom. Not here, I say. I encourage you to have the same outlook. Do not accept other people’s lack of medication as a reason for not having a great year. PROTECT YOURSELF. You make it happen, not them, so stop listening to their garbage. 5) The Daily Prophet lies and lies some more. Don’t believe everything you read. Seriously, is there anything worse than having to answer questions from a client who heard something on CNN about how horrible the real estate market is in Bakersfield, CA, when you work in Washington, DC? NO, there isn’t. It drives me nuts. So, how do you defeat these naysayers? Easy. With facts! Kill 'em with numbers, and you will never be subject to the horrors of Cable-land again.