I have resisted doing a post on my 'Super Agent' status for a variety of reasons. It's not that I'm not proud of it…I am. It's just that I also see it as a gimmick, and a way for Mpls St Paul magazine (who compiles and publishes the annual list of Super Real Estate Agents) to earn more marketing dollars by selling us marketing packages and super agent 'stuff'. I guess I tend to be skeptical about business awards in general…can you tell I didn't buy any of the 'extras'?
However, I must admit I am more proud of this award than any others I have received. So many real estate awards are based on sales or transaction volume or years in the industry. The only difference I can see that really makes is that it can indicate more experience…which in turn can mean a more knowledgeable agent…unfortunately, not always!
What sets this award apart is that sales volume plays no part in the process. Instead, 120,000 people who have actually worked with real estate agents (such as homebuyers and sellers) were asked to nominate and grade them based on nine criteria: communication, customer service, integrity, market knowledge, negotiation, finding the right home, marketing of a home, closing preparation, and overall satisfaction. The nominations, including more than 500,000 pieces of data, were then reviewed by a panel of real estate industry leaders to come up with this year's list of 668 agents…still a lengthy list, but less than 3% of Minnesota licensed real estate agents.
In scanning this year's list published in the November issue of Mpls St Paul magazine I recognize the names of many agents I have worked with and they truly are among the best in the industry. We (clients and professionals alike) are privileged to have so many dedicated, outstanding real estate agents in our area providing exceptional service each and every day.
P.S. A great big thank you to whoever nominated me for this award…no, I don't know who it was and it means a lot to me!
