I was thinking last night about my past experiences and how they have shaped the person that I have become today. Back in 1996, when I was last employed by someone else, I had to keep my resume updated each time I went to look for a new job. Somehow, in the modern era, that all seems very "last century" now.
Rather than developing a resume to hand out to my clients, I decided to write this post instead.
What makes me uniquely qualified to handle your real estate business in the Austin area? Well, let's get a couple of things out of the way quickly:
- I have been selling real estate full-time in this area since January 1997
- I am a broker/owner of my own company, Austin Texas Homes, LLC
- I've sold properties of every type and in every conceivable price range (highest home sale was $3.4 million)
- I have trained dozens of agents on how to represent buyers and sellers
- I have never been involved in a lawsuit or mediation, nor have any of my agents
Okay, that part was relatively painless, right? A bit stuffy, maybe, but painless.
Now, let me spend a little time detailing some of my past and present experiences and how they have prepared me to help you.
TIME IN THE LOCAL MARKET
I have been here in Austin for just over twenty years now. I've lived in or near Austin since 1988, when I moved here to attend Southwestern University. As such, I am familiar with almost all the nooks and crannies of Austin.
MANAGERIAL STUFF
Before getting in to real estate, I was a retail and restaurant manager for several years, including working as a general manager for a restaurant. This prepared me to handle a wide variety of personal interaction issues, especially with a diverse staff. Real estate requires me to deal with so many different personality types that I'm happy to have had that foundation. I have been in charge of my own company since 2004.
PARENTING
I am a father of three terrific children, and we are expecting our fourth baby in mid-April. As much as it seems humorous to say this, dealing with children is good preparation for dealing with other real estate agents and petulant clients, too. Our work involves a lot of moving parts, as it were. I often explain to my clients that a lot of people have to do their jobs correctly in order for me to get paid - title companies, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, etc. This is not a one-man show, so being able to "finesse" other people is a very important characteristic when you are looking for an agent or broker to represent you.
NETWORKING
As a member of ActiveRain, Twitter, Facebook, and several other social networking sites, I have gained an amazing number of contacts and good friends in the real estate business, all across the country. ActiveRain is a nationwide referral network and social networking site for our industry. I am a prolific blogger with over 1075 subscribers to my blog as of today. This interaction has served me well, not just for learning, but for getting more attention for my listings, too. One of the listings that I recently posted was shown to a prospect who found it on my blog the same day, and he may make the purchase soon.
ETHICS
I have often said that I may be too honest for my own good. Here's a statement that I wrote a few months ago which sums up my business philosophy very quickly:
"I have been in Austin real estate full-time for almost 12 years now. There are certainly others who have sold more homes than I have, but you would be hard-pressed to find an agent with more integrity than me. I would rather talk you out of a home purchase or an offer on your home than to assist you in making a bad decision."
PERSONAL
I am a super-nice guy. Really. Ask anyone who knows me. They will tell you. Go ahead - I'll be here when you get back...
I like spending time with my family and I am helping to start a new church in Georgetown currently. I like to laugh and to make others laugh. Real estate doesn't have to be serious business, believe me. If you enjoy your life and you're looking for someone fun to hang out with while looking for a new place to live, give me a call at 512-796-7653 or email me - jason@austintexashomes.com.
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Photo courtesy of www.photorack.net.
My RSS feed is http://activerain.com/jasoncrouch/rss
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere or subscribe via email?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Jason~ I noticed at the end of your post you said give me a call at. and there is NOTHING THERE, I think you may want to put WHERE to call you or a phone number....??? Vickie
"Jason is one of the first people I connected with on AR. He is an inspiration and you will not regret the opportunity to work with him. I am one of his many subscribers and friends."
VICKIE - That was a test to see how observant you are. Well done - you passed! Actually, thanks for pointing that out!
MEL - Thank you for the kind quote. You're a good friend.
Jason I subscribe to your blog for all of the reasons you mentioned. You seemed like a nice family guy, who knows his way around Activerain.
Jason: What a great resume! I love the 'nice guy' part--you'll be waiting upon their return! Priceless!
You are a nice guy and nice guys finish first and at the top!
Three reasons I'd send Austin business to you...
Hi Jason: I like the part about making people laugh. Real estate can be stressful for many clients and I try to remain professional but still laugh and have a good time.
Jason,
Your absolutely right. You are a super nice guy! One who is willing to help anyone who asks. What more could you ask for in a friend and colleague. Thanks for all you do.
Another post well written and from the heart.
Jason, my husband told me you are a great blogger and that I should subscribe to your blogs. I have only blogged once and that was today, why should I use you for a Realtor if I buy in Austin?
This is an interesting concept. I don't know why I never thought of it. It makes perfect sense. I'll bet there's even a site with a fill-in-the-blanks style resume that can be easly e-mailed as well.
Jason - Thank you for all your information about your experience and you know if I ever purchase any property in Austin, Texas it will be from you.
I know you know your business very well!
Jason,
What a great blog, I know you are probally the best agent in Austin, and if I get a client moving there, guess who I will send them to?
My cousin lives in Austin, if he decides to sell, I will tell him about you.
Jason- I love your explanation of how parenting has prepared you to be an excellent Realtor....Amen to that:-) My kids negotiate better and harder than most people/clients/agents I have to deal with;-)
Jason, As you know I already sent you business and we live in the same town!?!?!?! This is a great post and I think I will do one for myself (for the different parts of Austin that we cover) after all neither of us can be all things to all people!
PS I hope thing are well with you and your family and take care of your pregnant bride! See you soon!
Jason, that is a great way of letting others know who you are. We have also helped many clients understand a bad home decision and gained their respect and trust from it.
I like the idea surrounding this post - I'll probably do something like this myself.
The only one that seems great on the surface (and clients think it's a great thing) yet shows something else...
"I have never been involved in a lawsuit or mediation, nor have any of my agents"
Honestly, if you have never been involved in one, you haven't done enough transactions - plain and simple. It's not "if", it's "when".
Was that a question? if so i'll make a top 10 list for ya :)
I think #1 is obvious, because you're Jason Crouch!!
Jason.... because you'll give me $5,000 dollars? lol Seriously, great minds think a like... I was just going to write about this today, for myself. Because I am tired of people e-mailing me for advice, but wanting to use someone else.... nice job here... but why you? Because you are you, you stand above so many, and because you are not only knowledgeable, but because you care.
Christina - I debated over whether to delete your comment, since I think it's among the more rude things I have read on a post directed at consumers, but I am going to leave it. Simply put, you have no idea what you're talking about in this case. I have handled 300-400 of my own transactions, in addition to assisting my agents with hundreds more in my 12-year career. I have made a very good living in real estate, enabling my wife to be a stay-at-home mom for almost eight years now, solely from my income in this business.
This is not just good "on the surface" as you indicated - it shows an integrity and commitment to honest and fair dealings that is rare today, even if it does seem like I am tooting my own horn a bit.
Based on your response, I am guessing that you have had some bad legal experiences, and I'm sorry to hear that, but please don't come on my blog and assume something so ridiculous. You have just made yourself look petty and small.
Jason, This post really "stands out above the crowd". Glad to hear that there is another Realtor with Integrity out there!
I am very disappointed by the response of Christina on this post. I personally know very successful agents in this business that have never been in a lawsuit. For me it is nine years and counting but other great agents with 30yrs experience still haven't been hit with one. I am not saying that if someone is faced with one it makes them any less professional. My point is- it is not a matter of time regardless of your number of transactions. I disagree with her completely!
Jason is an inspiration to new and 'seasoned' agents. I am a Texas Real Estate Broker as well and have learned a lot from him. Character and integrity is what makes him great at what he does. His 'obvious' qualities have not been questioned.
Jason,
I now know even better why I will send you my Austin Texas referrals. You did forget one thin tho, you are a nice guy!!
Don - That was in there! Look under "PERSONAL". :)
Gotta refute the notion that an agent is not productive if untouched by litigation. My old man has been selling Real Estate here in Scottsdale since 1972, is a member of our brokerage's (top seller in AZ) Hall of Fame, annual production award recipient, yada, yada yada ... no lawsuits. Throw in my 10 years with no legal action, and we are approaching a combined half century of selling homes with no litigation. Quite prodigiously, I might add. Not to say it won't ever happen, but it is a track record of which we are proud.
Well I guess I don't know what I am doing in real estate either since I haven't been sued in my 7 years in the business...Dad & I are only the top agents in our office the past 7 years.
Jason -
After rereading my post - I can see how you would take it rudely and personally. That was not my intention whatsoever.
I'll try again (I hope I can express this well via print). With the litigious society we find ourselves in today - litigation is a matter of when, not if. The more transactions one is involved in, the more likely it is that one will experience a legal issue. It took 1,452 transactions before we were sued (I'm an agent, not a broker). Agents need to (and must) act appropriately and carefully - never "relaxing" just because they have a few dozen, or a couple hundred transactions under their belt.
Honestly, think about the "when" not "if" statement. If this wasn't a statistical fact, we wouldn't be required to carry E&O insurance.
Christina - I want to give you credit and thanks for coming back to clear that up. I agree that we are in a very litigious society today. By the way, have you ever noticed that "society" almost never is used in a positive light? Just a side note. Interestingly, we are not required to carry E & O insurance in Texas, although most choose to do so. I appreciate the fact that you clarified your original statement, as it looks like a handful of others took it the wrong way, too. Have a great week!