Since the beginning of the year, I have had a lot of brainstorms about my business model, my role in the real estate community and my future. As I look over these factors, I always ask what would make each new idea a success. I spend a lot of time thinking of the next thing, but today I was thinking about my current role and how I measure its success.

Currently I am a broker-owner with no agents, by design, and I have closed nearly 200 transactions in my 12 years in the business. I feel I have been successful as a business owner and consultant. Would others feel I’m successful, and if so, how could that be measured?

With sellers, the results are short-term — I can see when the house sells if my advice rang true and if it was valued.

Over the long term, I feel this can be measured best with buyer clients. Did they enjoy their home? Was their home a good investment? Are they able to buy their next home based on proceeds from the current home?

There are many more questions; these were a good start — but how do I really know the answer?

When I’m working with buyers, I focus on how “liquid” a house will be over the years. Stock portfolios are easy to sell, but how easy is your home to sell if you need to get out in a hurry? In real estate, I define liquid as the ability to sell quicker than most others in any market: a home that appeals to a large audience, has modern updates, can fit varying family sizes, and has a price at or below the average for the area.

Since the beginning of the year I have met with past buyer clients looking to sell and move again. Most of these families have been in their homes about three or four years. As I prepare for these meetings, I ask myself the above questions and feel good about my internal response, but the true test is the response of my clients.

Although I didn’t ask the specific questions to each client, I have been making an assessment of each as we progressed. In a few cases, clients paid less than $300,000 for their home and in three or four years will profit over $100,000, have the ability to move into their next home and in one case pay cash for their next home in a different city — a couple that has yet to turn 30. Another client of mine was able to break even during their sale, which took place just seven months after their purchase.

I can’t take full credit for these profits, and let’s be honest, the market has been crazy good, so maybe I can’t take any credit. I just feel that looking out for the buyer and the future has paid off, and being a quality adviser helped prepare these buyers for their future in real estate.

Greg Eckler is a former computer programmer who brings a fresh, analytical perspective to real estate. He founded Denver Realty Experts LLC in 2013.

Email Greg Eckler.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×