When I first began my career as a Boston real estate agent — way back in olden times, 1989 — I had a boss who, though he was a terrific mentor in many ways for which I will be ever grateful, failed to demonstrate to me the truism that we, as real estate agents and brokers, need to treat our fellow agents with even greater respect and kindness than we do our home buyer and home seller clients.

Why is this, one might ask?  And indeed, I was one of those questioning souls early on.  I failed to grasp the fact that we are all on this ship together, that it it critical to treat our colleagues, both within and outside of our respective offices, in a kind, honest and respectful manner.  It’s true that most of us base our businesses on the referrals we receive from clients we’ve served, and keeping up these relationships is a major part of my business plan;  keeping up positive relationships with my fellow brokers at Keller Williams Boston-Metro and with outside agents with whom I will be cooperating, sooner or later, in sale transactions, is also a critical part of building a strong and sustainable business.

Early on, I didn’t understand that a Machiavellian win for my customer (these were the days before “designated agency” and we had customers, not clients!) was a short-lived victory when I learned that another broker involved in whatever drama had just passed was angry or felt I had not been absolutely professional in my dealings with them.  This type of bridge-burning can lead to a very short real estate career, and fortunately I saw the light before someone punched mine out!

Today I do my best to honor every broker with whom I come in contact, whether it’s a simple property showing in Jamaica Plain or Roslindale or if we’re representing buyer and seller clients in a sale.  In the latter case,  we are often in regular contact for anywhere from 30 to 60 days, sometimes even longer.

In recent years, I have been impressed with the quality of most of the agents and brokers with whom I’ve worked.  I admire and respect the way they handle relationships with their clients and appreciate their courtesy and professionalism in their interactions with me as well.  I often state that I learn something in every real estate transaction —  often from my clients, and also from my fellow agents.  I’m grateful to have my eyes and ears open, and to know that this business, like any other, has a long and interesting learning curve.

Every now and then a relatively new agent impresses the heck out of me with the manner in which they handle their clients — and me — and the other parties involved in a sale.  Those for whom technology is second nature have me in awe, and what’s even more awe-inspiring is their generosity in sharing their tech knowledge and shortcuts with me.

Perhaps the thinning out of the ranks in recent years has left agents and brokers who are somewhat seasoned and sobered, and like myself, more strongly committed than ever to building a business based on solid relationships all around.  I often say that real estate is a wonderful testing ground for the behaviors I want to practice out in the larger world:  kindness and tolerance; empathy and patience; and learning how to negotiate a true win-win situation for all.

Linda Burnett

Jamaica Plain/Roslindale Real Estate Maven
Keller-Williams Boston-Metro Real Estate
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