These days, just about everything is being put to a vote.
Back in the day, we were asked to cast ballots on issues of importance – who should be a Senator, Congressman or Governor; whether we should be taxed for better schools, new roads, more police and fire fighters. Next, we started getting asked to “vote” on issues of importance only to the people paying for the voting. Which cola tastes better? How clean does Suds-o get your clothes? Do Headache-o-Rama tablets really work faster than Brain Pain Super Elixir.
Now, television has us all thinking we are arbiters of musical talent, motion picture quality, cooking techniques, marital suitability, fitness coefficients, even who is the best “reality show star.”
It’s flattering to be asked our opinions on these burning issues of the day. But, what value is a vote if it’s based on guesswork and opinion, not actual knowledge? We know we don’t trust our own terpsichorean expertise enough to call an 800 number and help decide which aging actor can swivel through a samba better than which former soap opera star. But, millions of people do! And, judging by the numbers racked up by viewing audience participation shows, more people care about who’ll become the next pop music icon than who will become the next President of the United States.
We mention this not because we have a problem with people enjoying a TV show and rooting/voting for their faves. If we didn’t choose sides and feel that our picks were absolutely, positively the best, we’d be deprived of such major features of our culture as the World Series, Miss America, the Super Bowl and choosing the right real estate agent.
But, making life-changing decisions for strangers by voting on things we may know little or nothing about is, well, just a bit dishonest. And, honesty is something I feel is extremely important in every aspect of life, just as it is in the business of residential real estate.
When I review my career as a respected and leading agent in our complex, sophisticated marketplace, it’s evident that every truly successful professional I’ve known in our business has been scrupulously honest. (Of course, there will always be others who feel that while “honesty pays,” it doesn’t pay enough to suit them!)
All true professionals approach each important deal trusting in their judgment but also willing to admit that they don’t always have all the answers. That’s certainly how I conduct my business, and the track record of Mark Goldsmith proves honesty works, at least when it’s teamed with hard work, dedication and commitment to each and every Mark Goldsmith client.
So, if you’re considering a transaction in our upscale real estate market, drop by my offices today or better yet, send me an e-mail.
I may not always have all the answers you want, but I’ll do my best to give you the answers you need.
Or, if you’d like to cast your real estate vote for Mark Goldsmith, just call me at (310)777-6291. Operators are standing by!
