Embrace the Ugly

SO I got into a little funk lately... driving around Clovis and I see all of those pretty Keller Williams signs, pretty deep maroon with gorgeous pictures of the agents... flowing script lettering....and I got envious.

I mean, I can't join KW. I am an owner in a competing brokerage (Weichert Realtors- The 505 Group) even though I appreciate KW's values and customer-centric attitude towards house sales which is on the same plane with Weichert's God-Family-Work beliefs - we are good there. They have great advice, planning, transaction management, support, education, incentives.... I love my company I just hate their signs..

After hearing 10x ... your husband saying, "Boy, your signs are ugly, boy those other signs look good" you start to wonder... Maybe I can change my company's signs and I started doing research.

Weichert has had the same signs for a long time. We have approved signs and we cannot deviate from the plan. They are a proven marketing tool and, I think, can even be seen from space.  Our signs are bright yellow, not mustard, not buttercup, but a bright Lemon/school bus-ish Yellow. They say Weichert - Really Big and they are clear and very businesslike. No pretty here.

And I started to think... What is the point of the sign? Why is it there, anyway?
TO GET NOTICED! Not to blend harmoniously into it's surroundings, not to enhance the looks of a  neighborhood, but to say, "Hey! I'm for sale!  Buy Me!  LOOK! and after thinking about it... they do that. You cant drive down the street and ignore them, you don't drive down the street and say, ahhh.. you say Oh! Look at that! They are selling their house. You might even say wow, what an ugly sign but you noticed it.... and I guess that's the point.

So for the time being I guess I'll embrace the ugly and place my yellow signs around Clovis proudly. They announce to the world that this house is for sale by a professional and I guess I'm good with that. #Weichert #embracetheugly

Why I Love Selling Real Estate

I enjoy real estate because it isnt just selling a house. It is helping people find a place to belong, a place they can rest, host parties, raise children, sleep, eat and enjoy life. When they wander into a house I help them visualize their lives in that house and if it doesnt fit we find one that does.
I dont think I could sell houses if it was like selling a car. Just someplace to live in till it breaks or a better one comes along. A house is an investment. Something most people put pride into keeping nice and improving. I get an insane amount of joy out of showing a very old house that you can just tell the people who lived in it loved it and cared for it and took extra time to make sure that not even a hinge squeaked.
You don't get that same feeling from investment properties, or quick flips, although there is something to be said for taking something neglected and turning it into a home someone would love. I've done it before and scraping off the uck to find the beauty underneath has it's benefits.
Clovis Real estate is fun, because we have great people who live here, some by choice, some not. But even for those where it is just a temporary stopping place on their life's road to wherever...there are those who choose to make a place for themselves here. Not just a place to stick their furniture, but a place where they belong.