You expect the best possible results when you buy, sell, or lease real estate, or when you arrange financing. How do you know that the real estate and mortgage professionals you trust understand what "best possible results" means for you in the current market?
By definition, we expect professionals to know more, and to know how to do more with what they know, than consumers do. That's why we hire them. Consumers must rise to the challenge of deciding which professionals will live up to expectations, and who will not - before a contract is signed.
How sure are you that real estate and mortgage professionals know more than you do about what's going on in their industry and in the economy at large?
- Do you ask your professional advisors which sources - online and off - they rely on to keep them ahead of mainstream media’s public rants on interest rates, real estate prices, and market fluctuations? Their reaction may tell you as much as their list of resources.
- Certificates on the wall are not proof of continued proficiency.
Credits earned for continuing education programs and conferences can be based on attendance, not on proven knowledge gained, or on improved service results. The best in any profession know that merely showing up for a professional development course does not ensure learning takes place. Attitude matters.
- Self - directed learning does not ensure that the most essential professional skills are improved, or the most relevant knowledge up - dated. Often continuing education programs are selected for convenience of delivery, not subject matter. Committed professionals understand that professional development education should be directed at improving services and results for their preferred target client.
When interviewing professionals, add a question or two about how skills are enhanced and knowledge is kept up - to - date. Real estate and mortgage professionals have many resources open to them, but knowledge transfer happens only through committed intent and the drive for improvement.
- Real Estate Forums Abound
With dozens of real estate conferences to choose from each year, professionals have a range of opportunities for keeping up - to - date on selling, leasing, investment, development, and financing of residential, office, industrial, retail, and multi - unit residential real estate across Canada. Most programs stress trend analysis, business strategies, and evolving opportunities. "Green" practices and sustainability approaches are also important topics.
For instance, the Global Property Market Conference (GPM), held in November in Toronto, meets "the needs of those active in acquisitions, development, equity investment, financing, joint ventures, and sales of all forms of investment properties and real estate - office, industrial, retail, multi - unit residential, land, hotels and hospitality" - by facilitating "the exchange of strategic information on investment and development in tier - one countries and emerging markets around the world."
Mortgage Forums Flourish
Mortgage Forum 2012 just wrapped in Vancouver. Mortgage professionals learned about trends and population dynamics from industry leaders like demographer and economist David Baxter ("Charting the Future: Long run trends and the Canadian mortgage industry"), and they improved social media communication with tips and insight from social media stars like Twitter founder Biz Stone ("Open, Informed, and Engaged: A Changing Communication Landscape").
Related Industry Events
The Interior Design Show Toronto (IDS), which runs January 24 to 27, 2013, is an excellent example of an information exchange resource that crosses industries, and connects professionals and the clients they serve. The IDS is Canada’s largest contemporary design fair for showcasing the newest and most innovative in international and Canadian products. More than 300 inspiring trade show exhibits feature both emerging and established designers, while highlighting international interior design, architecture, and industrial design trends. IDS brings some of the most influential architects and designers from around the world to share design philosophies and experiences within the international keynote speakers program. Consumer programming is a vibrant element of this learning - by - design event. The opening night party has become a must - attend opportunity to mix with professionals and celebrate design achievements.
- Ongoing Professional Development Programming
British Columbian real estate professionals, like their counterparts across North America, have many continuing education and professional development programs to choose from each year. In most jurisdictions, professionals must complete specific and elective real estate programs within their license registration cycle. Without education credits, licenses cannot be renewed.
When you meet a real estate or mortgage professional, consider going beyond the stereotypic "What’s going to happen with interest rates/real estate prices?" that most professionals are hit with at holiday parties. Instead, ask for suggestions on building your real estate knowledge. Try "Have you attended any good seminars or webinars lately?," or "Which online courses or eBooks have proven most useful?" to discover why this is a professional worth listening to.
Published: November 27, 2012
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