In its simplest form a nail is a connector (connecting two pieces of wood together). During my many years as a kitchen and bath designer / installer I used this “connector” tens of thousands of times in varying capacities. Framing required one type of nail, while finished work would require another. The right connector was essential for the right job or disaster was guaranteed (you know what I mean).
When I started my real estate career I thought how similar I was to that nail, but instead of connecting two pieces of wood together, I am connecting people together. I am a connecter.
Connecting two pieces of wood together was many times more difficult than it appeared. When framing a house, if you “miss the mark” it would cause a ripple affect with every other stud on that particular wall and of course several (or many) pieces of wood were split. When doing finish work it was common to bruise the casing or split the trim. Have you ever bent a nail? What happens? You go to pull it out and sheer off the head. Have you ever tried to “set” the nail and split the wood or created such a hole that it never filled properly? You always see the dent in the wood.
A nail used by a skilled craftsman is virtually undetectable on the finished product. Craftsmen will sometimes drill the hole before using the nail; Sometimes the craftsman will use glue to form an inseparable bond between the two pieces of wood.
Too often in Real Estate an unskilled agent will do a very poor job in connecting buyers and sellers together, causing angst and distrust. Understanding the client’s emotional concerns is as important as understanding their real estate needs. Too often it’s too late and the damage has been done. As the craftsman meticulously drives and sets the nail, that is the same care and understanding required by a thoughtful, respectful and professional realtor. Whether framers or finishers; craftsmen are those tradesmen who know their craft and take pride in their work. My pledge to you is to be the craftsman you desire and deserve - to serve you with integrity, respect and hard work.