John Donnelly

By John Donnelly, CENTURY 21 North East, Woburn, Mass.

As in life, the youth in society represent the future—and the real estate business is no different. In a field where the average age is 52, younger real estate practitioners often strive for a way to connect and build relationships with home buyers, sellers, and other industry professionals. They’re seeking an opportunity to tap into valuable resources that will help them succeed in business.

As a proud millennial and relentless real estate professional from CENTURY 21 North East, I know this might sound cliché, but if you love what you do and where you live, then success will manifest itself for you. The way I see it, real estate is more than a job; it’s a lifestyle. If you have that mindset when you meet people and visit places, you will not only get referrals, but more importantly, you’ll have an opportunity to learn from them if you choose to listen.

As simple as it may sound, make it a goal for each day should be to meet people out in the real world. Every person and every situation is different, and whether you’ve been in the business for three weeks, three years, or three decades, you’re going to learn something new every single time.

Getting together and discussing real estate with your peers is also beneficial. I’m with one of the largest brokerages in New England and we get together and share what we’ve learned all the time. The lessons shared during these sessions are invaluable.

Just recently, I sent my last work email at 4:20 in the morning. I woke up after three hours of sleep only to be presented with a curveball. The appraisal came back $100,000 short. (Can you relate?) Since I’m familiar with a network of professionals where I live, I was able to quickly book another appraisal and work out a use and occupancy agreement with the attorneys to ensure the agreed upon closing date.

These are a few examples of why you should give 121% to every person and family that chooses to partner with you when they have a real estate need. When you decide to take on this job, you can’t just sit in an office, show a house, and then expect to sell a house. You must be ready to do things that you might not want to do—or take actions others in your industry might wave off because “it’s not part of my job.” We must go above and beyond to deliver extraordinary experiences to our clients. This is the culture that permeates our company and more than 500 agents who also call CENTURY 21 North East home. As a young professional who has grown to expect service providers and companies where I spend my money to do the same, I find working with this mindset to be relevant, comforting, and necessary for my clients.

If you love where you live and listen to and learn from those in the community, business will come. To build on that, you must understand that creating relationships, going above and beyond, and helping clients get the real estate outcomes they desire will keep you successful today and into the future.

This is a sponsored post submitted by Century 21. The representations, information, advice, and opinions presented by YPN Lounge authors, sponsors, or advertisers are solely their responsibility. Read REALTOR® Magazine’s sponsored content disclaimer policy.

John Donnelly is a real estate agent with CENTURY 21 North East in Woburn, Mass. He specializes in residential and investment properties in the Greater Boston Area. Donnelly is dedicated to helping clients strategically buy and sell properties, managing every aspect of the transaction process. Regardless of whether a client is looking to sell their current home or find a new investment property to supplement their income, Donnelly can help secure the best opportunities in the real estate market by utilizing the latest technology. Connect with John Donnelly at jdonnelly@c21ne.com.