A conversation this past week with a seller, really got me to thinking how we connect or don't connect with our contacts, customers and clients...
How well do you read your contacts, customers and clients?
When I meet someone first off, I try to find a common area of interest to break the ice and use it to help establish a connection. Yeah the "weather" always seems to make topic, but I look for and listen for something that will open the door for me and give me that special connection with them.
I don't mean just listening (although extremely important) to what they say, but noticing what they are wearing, driving, carrying and watching their body language can tell you a lot.
Another agent's seller, who has a Hood Canal waterfront home for sale that I have a buyer for, was dropping off some documentation at my office for us. I was looking forward to meeting him and getting a "read" on both him and his property.
When he came in, I noticed he was wearing a Harley Davidson jacket. We introduced ourselves and I asked him the simple question - "What do you ride?"
He smiled and answered immediately, - "Fat Boy."
I commented back pointing at myself -"Dyna Low Rider."
Smiles broke out - high fives went around.... Ice broken. A connection made... No tension for either of us as we casually talked about Harley's and each of our experiences and rides.
It gave him the opportunity to be comfortable with me and vice versa as we worked our way to the discussion of the property.
It is important to be able to read people whether you are negotiating a contract, or meeting someone for the first time. All of the information that you can gather regarding them, their lifestyle, their interests and MAKING the connection is a great way to gain trust and establish a solid relationship as well as a way for them to REMEMBER YOU and who you are and what you do...
His words as he was leaving were : "See you on the rode!"
But what was more important was the connection we DID establish and I really realized this as I listened to his voice mail message :
"Come in 'Biker Agent'. Come in 'Biker Agent'. Biker to "Biker Agent' - How'd the showing go?"
Now that's a connection. "Read" your contacts and you too will find your connection.
There are No Wrong Turns - just MORE ROAD!
If you would like more information on Belfair, Allyn and LakeLand Village homes for sale or Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale, drop me a line, give me a call, or stop on by. You can also check out the many choices and prices on my website!
~~Valerie~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whether you are buying or selling a home, don't put your goals off without talking to a local real estate expert with knowledge of homes for sale on Hood Canal, Southern Puget Sound as well as LakeLand Village, Allyn, Belfair and the surrounding area.
I Build relationships for life. YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!
Windermere Peninsula Properties
My email: vlsallyn@windermere.com
My website: www.valspaulding.with wre.com
My blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com
My Direct line: 360.710.5622
Valerie, I do the same. This is such a people business and if you want to enjoy it you must extend yourself and in the process it really does help. Love the story!
Jo - Thanks Jo! It made for a much more comfortable meeting "breaking the ice" that's for sure. I want all the people I interact with to be comfortable with me and I do that by making them comfortable!
Valerie: Great post. It's so true. Nothing will ever beat the face-to-face interaction we need in our business. However it is done, it's important to size up each other and see if there truly is common ground. If there isn't, that's o.k. The last thing any of us wants is an uncomfortable transaction. Thanks again for making me think about establishing common ground. Have a great day!
Paul - You are welcome! It did make me stop and think about it and finding that common ground. And you are right - if there isn't and it doesn't work - well then so be it! Thanks for coming by!
valerie- Thanks for the reminder to always look for that common ground. It makes all the difference in the world.
Martha - Its fun to figure it out too. Before I meet someone I set my self to look for those connection CLUES! Making some one comfrotable with you is key to earning their trust too. Thanks for stopping in.