I Hate Sales

That's Exactly Why Real Estate Works for Me!

There. I said it.

It was the number one reason I avoided real estate for years. The perception, the judgement of being in sales. I knew I’d love the work, the people, the problem-solving… but the idea of selling made me cringe.

And yet, here I am.

Because here’s the truth I am been admitting to myself lately: What I do isn’t sales. It’s problem-solving with people attached.

Turns Out, I’ve Been Training for This My Entire Life

Before real estate, I spent decades in a career that I believed was the furthest thing from sales imaginable. No quotas. No commissions.

Or so I thought. In reality, I was constantly:

• Reading personalities and communication styles
• Adjusting my message in real time when I sensed resistance
• Standing in front of people, explaining why a problem existed, often before they wanted to hear it
• Convincing people that change was necessary when “this is how we’ve always done it”

That’s persuasion. That’s influence. That’s trust-building under pressure. And as much as I didn't want to admit it, that's sales (but without a name tag and a gold blazer).

And Then There’s My Dad

To make matters worse (or better?), my dad was a salesman. Same company. Over 45 years. Selling power plant equipment. (Barf. Sorry, Dad.)

But by osmosis, I learned:

• The art of small talk (which still does not come naturally)
• That unmistakable energy shift when you get to help someone
• How to never meet a stranger

I watched him light up when he connected with people. I saw how relationships mattered more than products. I just didn’t realize I was taking notes.

 

Plot Twist: I’m Not an Extrovert

If you’re picturing me as my dad - a booming voice, endless energy, thriving in crowds ...think again! I’m not an extrovert.

The official term is ambivert: someone who can operate comfortably in both extroverted and introverted modes depending on the situation.

But my preferred definition? I’m a Roomba.

I go out. I socialize. I navigate rooms. I clean up the room. And then...I return to my charging station.

Silence, rest, and downtime aren’t optional for me. They’re required. That’s how I’m able to show up fully present, engaged, and effective when it matters.

So What’s the Lesson Here?

If you hate sales, you’re not broken. You might just be calling your strengths by the wrong name. I did for decades.

Real estate (at least the way I practice it) is not about convincing someone to do something they don’t want to do. It’s about:

• Translating complexity into clarity
• Converting problems into opportunities
• Guiding people through decisions they don’t make often, but that matter deeply
• Helping someone move forward with confidence, not pressure

Sales isn’t about being loud. It’s about being perceptive. It’s about listening. It’s about trust. And sometimes, it’s about knowing when to go recharge.

If you’ve ever said, “I’m not a salesperson,” I’d love to hear what you are. Chances are, it’s exactly what someone else needs.

And if you’re navigating a real estate decision and want a problem-solver instead of a sales pitch, I’m always happy to talk… just as soon as my Roomba battery is fully charged.