Patience

Do you ever have moments that test your patience? 

Maybe it's the DMV. Ever go there and see exactly how brilliant the writers of the Disney movie Zootopia were with the sloths? Or the grocery store. Or the pick up line at school. You name it, there are things that test our patience every day.

The saying "patience is a virtue" is generally believed to mean that things that require a wait are usually worth having, or that it is a good quality to be able to wait for something that might take a while.

I recently assisted a seller through a situation that was challenging, and I knew patience was a requirement. It's nerve wracking to put money and effort to market a property without a guarantee of return, especially with a challenging situation. In this case, there were other parties involved in the decision and we had to follow a process (THEIR process), and one that wasn't communicated, clear, or consistent at that. A lack of patience would be of zero help in this case. I had to fumble and stumble along until I figured out what they wanted and needed to see in order to move forward.

Sometimes patience gives space for worry to take root. The moments in waiting certainly had me full of doubts about myself, if we could even make this work, and even worried for the sellers. Ultimately, I care a great deal about the outcome my clients receive at the end of the process. 

Here's the great news: Patience--and a hearty dose of self confidence mixed with a "put on your big girl britches and handle this" mentality--meant a wonderful end result for the sellers. Actually, the best possible scenario. The great news is that all parties involved were able to gain a win and everyone felt good about their overall experience.

Patience almost always pays off. That frustrating school pick up line? You get to see your kids smiling faces when it's your turn. That's a pretty sweet payoff if you ask me. 

I'm certainly a work in progress in many areas, and patience is something I will always keep on my list of strengths. In the real estate business it's something you need to have in plentiful supply.

Jennifer Schurter is a Realtor and expert marketer in the Greater Portland, Oregon Metro Area. She loves helping home buyers and home sellers through every step of the real estate process. If you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate, you can reach Jennifer at jen@jenschurter.com.