This is as impromptu a post as it gets but HAD to share because I’m a bit emotional and need to get it out. I came back from RETechSouth feeling great for many reasons. I need to tell you that I was very impressed with the attention to detail of the conference in general – speakers, transitions, giveaways, interaction with attendees, stage, promotion, quality…….it goes on and on – congrats to Brad Nix and Matt Fagioli for putting a quality event together.
In addition to the actual conference, I am always energized when I see my Internet buddies IRL (if I had the time I would go to every single event) – so if you were wondering whether or not these events are worth it….they are!!! (if only for the real life interaction, do it!!)
But most importantly because I was able to come out of Atlanta knowing that what I do has a purpose and social media facilitates the way Rick and I do business and our conscious decision to surround ourselves with like-minded people with similar values is right on!
I wrote a Miamism post this morning about real estate = relationships = life and this paragraph sums it up:
It’s not about sales sales sales! It’s not about what the media will say next – It’s so much more than “how is the Miami Real Estate Market doing?” – It’s about LIVES! How trivial can that really be? Everyone needs a place to live, whether it’s temporary or not….feeling at home is one of the most important factors in everyone’s life, whether you choose to get help to achieve that or not – HOME is such a powerful word and some of us really care about how people achieve that.
My articles autopost to Facebook and within 10 minutes of posting, I received this answer from a client (and now friend):
what you say here, the importance of home to you and Rick and your drive to help others find it, is exactly what came shining through when you helped Ken and I find our Miami home. WE knew it was never about the sale. It was something bigger. We can never repay you or thank you enough.
Its the same philosophy Ive always tried to bring to my architectural and interiors practice – help the client find their own stamp, guide them to make it better than they could have imagined, and make a home.
WOW!! needless to say, that made my day, my week, my existence
Think of how you approach your business and how you impact people’s life – we, as Realtors, have the power to influence lives, don’t ever take that for granted.
Ken Brand
March 23, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Yes exactly.
Nice to see passion about life and people and home mixed like a fine Mojito. The older I get the more I realize, as you’ve shared, everything is rarely about what it’s about, it’s bigger and juicier.
Amen.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
March 23, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Ken – you are just too cool – “mixed like a fine mojito”…isn’t that what it is ALL ABOUT?
Real Estate Feeds
March 23, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Real Estate = Life: Get out of your feed reader and comment on this post- we PROMISE that the ShamWow guy won\’t.. https://tinyurl.com/cgk976
Mark Eibner
March 23, 2009 at 7:16 pm
we’re at it again Real Estate = Life: Get out of your feed reader and comment on this post- we .. https://tinyurl.com/cgk976
sheilabragg
March 23, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Real Estate = Life: Get out of your feed reader and comment on this post- we PROMISE that the ShamWow guy won\’t.. https://tinyurl.com/cgk976
Brad Nix
March 23, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I couldn’t agree more Ines about your real estate=relationships=life message (of course I’m cool with you digging REtechSouth as well), but most importantly LIFE and the relationships we create, strengthen and enjoy matter most. So glad we got to meet IRL last week and I look forward to seeing you again (rachel says hi too).
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
March 23, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Brad – you did a heluva job and thanks for letting me be a part of it – as for Rachel, she rocks (and as our friend Bill Lublin would say….I think you married over your head) 😉
Chris Shouse
March 23, 2009 at 9:40 pm
You are so right Ines it is all about the relationships and I am to this day friends with almost all of my clients. It makes my heart smile to see a house made into a home. Can not wait to meet you IRL.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
March 23, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I hope it will happen soon Chris! What’s great about this medium is that you can tell right away who really cares and who has pure intentions – can’t get better than that!
Tina in Virginia
March 24, 2009 at 6:09 am
Ines, your passion is what makes you the wonderful person you are. What a wonderful, from the heart post. It was great seeing you at RETech South and I hope to see you again soon.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
March 24, 2009 at 10:31 am
Tina – you are so sweet, it was awesome to see you as well and I’m sure we will run into each other soon 😉
Kathleen Buckley
March 24, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Ines- Thank you for articulating this! So often agents are viewed as cut throat and self-centered. You are a prime example to the contrary!
Teresa Boardman
March 25, 2009 at 8:02 am
Honestly I think it was one of the best conferences i ever went too. very well organized and a lot of variety. I came away feeling inspired and really enjoyed the time we all spent together after hours.
I have never driven to a conference before and that also turned out to be an amazing and memorable experience.
ines
March 25, 2009 at 8:16 am
Kathleen, that means a lot to me, thank you – it’s crazy how a “technical” conference can leave you with such basic humane principles (Jeff Turner’s presentation about the computer being a MORON was the highlight)
T – could it have been Jack being present? (hmmmm)
Jay Thompson
March 25, 2009 at 8:19 am
Great post Ines. I just got back from NAR’s Association Executive Institute where the highlight was getting to meet Mariana IRL. Met several others too at a Tweet Up and got to revisit some old friends. It was fabulous.
That note from your client/friend is priceless.
Great photo too! Could be the cover shot of the “Women of Real Estate” calendar… 😉
ines
March 25, 2009 at 8:25 am
Lucky you Jay, I’ve been dying to meet Mariana and Derek and can’t believe we have not crossed paths yet (but will soon, I’m sure). That note from our client made me cry (and they know it) It’s amazing when you can make such a great connection with someone online from the start.
As for the calendar….what are you guys up to?
Paula Henry
March 25, 2009 at 9:49 am
Ines – This post sums up what life in real estate is really about – the relationships are what matters. Our clients know when we care; as displayed by the wonderful note you received form your client.
Some day I will meet all of you!
ines
March 25, 2009 at 11:27 am
Paula – I am looking forward to meeting you as well (I’m sure it will be soon)
Teresa Boardman
March 25, 2009 at 2:03 pm
@Ines love your post on ag https://bit.ly/Kf41h
Jeff Turner
March 25, 2009 at 2:11 pm
RT @TBoard: @Ines love your post on ag https://bit.ly/Kf41h (I’ll second that)
RE Success Club
March 25, 2009 at 2:18 pm
RT @TBoard: @Ines love your post on ag https://bit.ly/Kf41h …check out the passion in the client’s testimonial…inspiring.
Mack
March 25, 2009 at 2:06 pm
This past week I met a really nice lady at RETechSouth. She had a wonderful smile, was a great conversationalist, unselfishly shared her knowledge of social media and I am proud to say: wrote this post.
ines
March 25, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hi Mack!! it was such a pleasure to meet you! (thanks for that btw – are you trying to make me cry…..we leos are very emotional)
stevenstearns
March 25, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Real estate is about LIVES, not just the market: https://ping.fm/Sb0S7 via agent Genius
Brenda Carus
March 25, 2009 at 7:18 pm
RT @stevenstearns: Real estate is about LIVES, not just the market: https://ping.fm/Sb0S7 via agent Genius [True]
Bobbi Blades
March 28, 2009 at 11:16 am
I sit in my office today pulling together a new presentation on Social Media and how it will affect our business. You guys are incredible. You’ve reaffirmed my own belief in how social networking online won’t take the place of real time voice and physical contact but, instead, will enhance it.
How many times have we all said “I wish so and so was here to share this with.” Now, they can be.
If you could give me, in one sentence, single most important feature to social media communication to you personally and in your business, I sure would appreciate it.
ines
March 28, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Bobbi – thank you so much and as for the single sentence: The single most important feature to social media communication to me and my business is the connections I make on a daily basis that i would not otherwise be able to achieve, whether by blog, video, chat – powerful medium!