09/28/2026
This month, I had the pleasure of representing several people (buyers and sellers) in different walks of life. A pair of estate planners securing a condo for their daughter, a single woman downsizing, a family moving up to a large new-construction home, and a young couple looking for more space. Every real estate transaction is unique, and this month I’ve felt the breadth of what I do. It took me years to accumulate enough experience to really feel like “I got this,” and even though I’m confident in what I do now, there will always be more to learn. Real estate is a great job for someone like me, who loves to learn!
Here are a few examples of things a good realtor knows:
- Local and broader market statistics
- How to communicate clearly
- When, what, and how to negotiate in a given transaction
- General estimates for the cost of many different things (e.g., new carpet, paint, furnace, roof, bathroom remodel, refinishing hardwood floors, etc.)
- The legal nuances of 70+ real estate forms and how to explain them in common language
- How to account for the different expenses involved in a sale and purchase
- What factors a mortgage lender will consider for pre-approval in countless different scenarios
- What goes into the title process
- What to do when an inspection reveals a default
- The difference between an analytical and emotional person and how to cater to either personality lovingly
- How much equity certain updates could add to a home
- The best brands of appliances
- How to spot a well-maintained home in a 15-minute showing (conversely, how to spot a not-so-well-maintained home that has been beautifully staged in a 15-minute showing)
- Ordinances for different cities (e.g., some cities require pre-sale inspections; also, some cities do not allow signs to be posted on city right-of-way)
- What it means when well water tests positive for certain toxins and how to address the issue
- How to be tech savvy
- How to create eye-catching marketing materials
- How to market to certain audiences
- The details of purchasing an HOA home and how to spot a good/bad HOA
..and much MUCH more!