McCourt Real Estate Blog

It's frustrating to hear comments like "Why, do we need a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?" Or, "the ATC (Advanced Technology Center) is just for troubled students?"  Or, "Disney will be opening a new resort area here - they just purchased land!" (How long has THAT rumor been going around?).

The truth is that all these statements can be answered with just a little bit of research and education.  And, as a Realtor, someone who is supposed to KNOW my town - then I believe it to be my duty to know my town so that I'm not passing along misinformation or completely false info (lies) to clients and potential movers to the area.

What can you do to be more informed?

• Tour at least one place a week in your community.  Find out what they really do, what they really house, who they really benefit and bottom-line what they really deliver to your community.  (For example: A Realtor thought that our local Advanced Technology Center was for troubled students when in actuality it houses the finest and most up-to-date courses available to our area at minimal cost. Why bring an outside firm in to charge hundreds more than our local Advanced Technology Center for a class when they can come to the ATC(Advanced Technology Center) and learn hands-on on computers.  This could be a selling point for someone coming to our community.  It's one of those items on people's checklist when they look at a community that fulfills education AND quality of life.
• If you don't know what a group or an association does, then put it on your "RESEARCH to-do list" to find out.  And complete one item from your RESERACH TO DO LIST each week.  In my local community, you would find out that the community wanted the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and that they don't serve "just Hispanics". They actually do an amazing job serving all small business owners and really focus on the needs of the small business owner and entrepreneur.  Isn't that what we Realtors are anyway?  What a great resource for our community!  And, how intelligent (and informed) will you sound when a client looks at upgrading their home and they ask you if you have any idea about some of the local rules and regulations of running a "home based business".
• Become involved in at least one community based organization (if you're not involved in one yet), one non-profit with a local office and attend "state of the city addresses" to stay "in the know".

Knowing your town is a great part of knowing your business as a Realtor.  I challenge you this week to be "in the know"!