When you think of me and my profession, you probably think of me as a real estate agent, and you’d be right. But. I am also a teacher and an avid learner.
I love to educate myself, learn, grow and deepen my knowledge and skills. I believe it makes me a better professional and person. It is a joy I have enjoyed most of my life.
Walt Disney said it best, “When you’re curious you find lots of interesting things to do.”
It is most likely my curiosity that keeps me interested in learning. There is so much information available to us now that I often find myself down a rabbit hole of research before realizing it.
One of the important parts of the learning process is to teach others. First, we learn, then we do it or practice, and then we teach it. The teaching step is how we deepen the learning.
So, why am I saying all of that? Because teaching is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my work and true joy in my life. It always has been and always will be.
I get to study, learn and pick up information about our local, state, and national markets and then pass that knowledge to my clients, referral partners, and the public through my digital platforms.
I have had the good fortune of having great teachers and mentors in my life. Some skills that make a good teacher also apply to real estate agents.
Creativity - the ability to make things exciting and understandable.
Leadership - guiding someone through a process.
Collaboration - great at working with others.
Adaptability - being able to react quickly and handle any situation.
Time-Management - propensity to use every minute practically.
Real estate agents must educate home buyers and sellers on the process. Buying and selling real estate is not something you do every day, as I do. The forms and disclosures alone can be overwhelming. In addition, the method of selling or buying a home is a unique consumer experience.
Every real estate transaction is a little different just feeding into my curiosity. There is so much to learn in this ever-changing industry.
Some things I have learned in real estate:
- How to be a business owner.
Like any entrepreneur, I had to learn how to manage my time, set up my systems, and keep detailed records. - Creating and maintaining relationships.
Real estate is a relationship business. People want to work with agents they can trust. - Learning the local area.
I must learn about the communities I serve. Exploring these areas leads me to some great experiences I can share with others.
Continually learning is vital to everything I do in my business because knowledge is a powerful aspect of how I communicate and negotiate.
I strive to bring understanding and value to my clients in every transaction. I will also help my friends and family understand as I continue to learn and comprehend. Contact me, Stephen Burchard, The Desert Bowtie Realtor, taking the (k)nots out of real estate.
