For the Love of Real Estate: Tales From the Trenches

By Sharon Mason

For the Love of Real Estate will change everything you thought you knew about what a realtor does and what he/she should be doing to help you buy or sell your home. Whether you are a first-time buyer, downsizing, needing to move to accommodate a career change, or starting to save for your first-time home, this book is a must-read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sharon Mason Media
• Release date: Mar 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781777609115

Sharon Mason

Recognized by many as a real estate legend, Sharon Mason has received many awards and recognitions. Having completed almost a thousand transactions and having helped hundreds of families buy and sell, she enjoys the loyalty of her clients, who repeatedly work with her and refer their friends and family. Sharon was named "Star Salesmaster" by Realty World Canada (top 3 percent) as well as being named "Top 100" out of 18,000 realtors by Realty World International, which also awarded her the distinguished "Life Master Associate" award for consistent high production and service to her community and profession. Sharon has also achieved membership in the Silver, Gold and Diamond Clubs of HomeLife Real Estate Services Canada.Sharon has now secured her reputation as a mentor to new realtors with For the Love of Real Estate. She works with her daughter, Justine Priestley, and her husband of forty-five years, Al Mason, their administrator who is humorously known far and wide as their "chauffeur." Sharon says, "It's part of my legacy, and I am grateful beyond words to share what I can with my readers, my community and my family, especially my children, Jason Priestley and Justine Priestley, and beloved grandchildren, Ava and Dashiell."Sharon lives in Cloverdale, British Columbia, with her husband, Al Mason.

Book preview

Introduction

What do we know for sure? I mean really for sure!

For myself, I’ve had a lot of opinions that have proven not to be for sure, but there is one thing I do know: Nothing is ever what it appears to be from the outside looking in. This statement would most certainly include the real estate industry. This book takes you, dear reader, into that world, into my real estate world including the stories, the experiences, the lessons and the reality of what goes on inside this complex and fascinating profession. Whether you are a realtor, a wannabe realtor or a member of society, this book is written for you.

My main desire is to reveal the journey and experiences, issues and complexities, and that no two transactions, sales or purchases are ever the same and are, in fact, unique to the individuals involved. More moving parts than you can imagine! And always a learning curve.

I also desire to humanize our role as realtors—the career realtors who represent the professionalism and leadership provided by the vast majority of my colleagues and myself. The real estate profession is one that quite often gets unjustly vilified by the media and by those members of the public who follow negativity and gossip as if it were real news. The unfortunate and inaccurate way that television and film regularly portray realtors as pushy, insensitive and manipulative provides fodder for the ongoing misinformation the public is fed. This issue applies to many other worthy professions as well. It is my wish and hope that this book will inject balance and a dose of reality into that area of mistaken beliefs. Yes, there are the inevitable bad apples in every barrel, but only a few.

After much prodding from family, friends and clients, I finally decided to overcome the many fears and doubts and to take the plunge and write this book.

I plunged. Obviously!

My wonderful publisher said something the first time we met which became the tipping point in my decision.

She said, Sharon, it’s your legacy.

That brief statement filled in a blank for me. She told me I simply must leave behind the lessons and wisdom I had gained over the decades. Perhaps it was even a sacred duty.

With that lofty notion afloat, all I can do is pledge my best.

So here we go…

1

So Ya Wannabe a Realtor?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao Tzu

I’ve always thought about being a realtor! I just love looking at houses!

I’ve heard this statement so many times over the years, said by folks who obviously have never seen some of the houses I’ve marketed and sold!

The houses we love to look at? New homes, show homes, street of dreams, properties staged and ready for market under the supervision of a realtor who knows how to quarterback the situation! Yes, they are gorgeous and inspiring, but that’s not the whole story.

I blessedly have my expert home stager standing by to give her wise advice and counsel. This amazing lady, Joanne MacKay, always makes my job easier. I provide a complimentary staging consultation which never fails to attract more buyers and a higher sale price. Her company is Ocean Breeze Staging and Colour Consultation. I appreciate her immensely as part of my team.

Some of the properties we realtors see remind me of that classic line What a dump! delivered by Bette Davis in the classic film Beyond the Forest. That broad could really deliver a line! And that particular line has haunted me more than once in my career—black mould, leaking roofs, peeling paint, dirt and grime, clutter beyond imagination, too much or too little furniture, too stinky, rebellious tenants…I could go on.

Fortunately, most of the time it’s not so extreme, just normal well-lived-in properties.

Looking at houses is important but definitely not where the major work lies. Being a realtor includes many moving parts and aspects that are little known to those not involved. It utilizes a complex set of skills and knowledge covering a vast amount of material, including people and communication skills, intuition, dimensions of character, and the ability to handle adversity and manage emotions—not only on a personal level but those of our clients. It also takes intellect, study habits, attention to detail and, last but not least, an entrepreneurial spirit. And that’s just for starters. I know it sounds like a lot, but if it’s meant for you, it’s worth climbing that mountain!

In other words, loving to look at houses isn’t enough, but it could be the start of something big.

Realtors have it easy.

Now there’s a notion that’s worth unpacking.

It can look like all we do is dress well (except for those who don’t!), drive a nice car, put up a ‘For Sale’ sign, hold an open house (maybe) and take lots of money to the bank. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The first project is deciding to get your real estate licence. Should you or shouldn’t you? There are a lot of questions you ought to ask. Take an aptitude test, listen to your intuition and, above all, read this book!

If you’re already a realtor and want to survive and thrive…read this book!

The mere act of getting a real estate licence can be a daunting task for many folks. In my jurisdiction, it involves a business school course at the University of British Columbia (which can take several months) followed by a three-hour exam. We are told that roughly 30% of the students pass on their first try. That looks like a 70% failure rate! Not for the faint of heart nor the lazy, that’s for sure. And for those who fail, there is then a waiting period before you spend more money to take the exam for a second