I have been in real estate for just under 30 years and found that these are the two most important words on which to hang your career. We provide a service that can make or break our reputation. That reputation is based on whether we represented our clients with loyalty and integrity. Our industry is anchored on the Code of Ethics. Treating people fairly is the cornerstone followed closely with honesty and loyalty. In short, these are our fiduciary duties

Back in 1984, on Halloween Day, I started my journey in this career that provides one of the two essential needs in life…shelter. As I embarked on my newly found career, I felt a sense of pride in what I could accomplish. The people whose lives I could affect and the impact I could make on families throughout their lives. It was overwhelming, daunting and pretty scary. I vowed to represent them with the loyalty and integrity to which I subscribed and which they deserved.

I also felt a loyalty to the company that I associated myself with for many years. In the eighties it seemed like there was more loyalty and integrity to companies, clients and fellow agents. Perhaps the Baby Boomers upbringing focused on doing the right thing, not what’s right for the person at that given time. Maybe this is just my imagination or how I recollected it, but it seems that integrity was not what we aimed for but where we started. Our clients are not as loyal since the Internet has taken over the information. Instant gratification is the norm so if you are not there just when they want you, another will take your place.

Many companies tried to recruit me to sell for their company. I was flattered and it certainly fed my ego, but my loyalty to my company would not allow it to happen. I was part of the family. Nowadays theses offers are akin to a cable bundle laced with free agency signing bonuses. I have been offered a 90-10 split with a signing bonus that would afford me a new car. My question to these companies that offer “greener grass” is; what is 90% of nothing? What if I don’t produce? What happens after one year? Truth be told, the only reason the grass is greener on the other side of the fence is that they use more fertilizer. If you are making a living, making a difference and working with integrity, be loyal to the company that helped you achieve the successes you are now enjoying.

Here in my little state of Delaware I have had the privilege to know Mike Harrington of ERA Harrington Realty, a company that has the reputation and respect we all aspire to have associated with our name. At a conference in San Antonio we had dinner and I asked him what was appealing about being associated with ERA Real Estate. He thought about it and told me that for all the years he has been associated with ERA, he has never met a more professional, honest and overall nice group of people.

That has stuck with me since and to this day makes me smile. He is loyal, works and lives with integrity and sets an example for those associated with a great company and franchise. I am sure other companies have offered him the moon to associate with their brand. There were probably free agency monies involved as well. I don’t know this for a fact, but I know that if I were in the position to purchase companies, I would want a company with the reputation and respect that ERA Harrington carries. As you spend time at your next ERA Real Estate meeting, take time to look around, talk to the people and see how friendly, professional and loyal your fellow ERA agents are. You see, it’s what Mike Harrington said that night, “We’re like an extended family.” Enjoy your family.

Buddy West was a speaker at ERA IBC 2013 in Austin, TX March 21-24, 2013.