Enjoyed your dental visit........

Elena What a wonderful experience for you.  I'm so glad to hear it.  Best of luck to you and your family in this new year.

Elena, I loved your story!! I have never understood the "agism" stuff!! I have always looked young and so when I was young it was hard to be taken seriously. I am a firm believer that age is just a number - that is it. Great Feature!

Elena - I understand your concerns. I just have to tell ya that I expect after living this long, I should get a break every now and then. When I was young (and people have told me that I must have been young at one time) I suffered the same problems. It is amazing, the young face disappeared overnight, the ability to look down and see my toes must have vanished in the same twinkling.

I can promise you that there will always be people that are more comfortable with one age group or another. I have never let it dissuade me from moving on. I do much better when the people I represent are comfortable with me and my energy has always been better spent finding clients that accepted me for who I am than time possibly spent on the apparent unfairness of life.

Glad you found a good dentist....don't forget....he found a Realtor.

Elena,

Great Story!  I can relate as I started in this business when I was 24 (28 now).  I discussed the ageism issue with my broker and he gave me some really good advice.  He first asked me how many transactions I had worked on (probably only 5 at the time), and he said how many transactions do you think the average person has done in their entire life (1,2, maybe 3).  So then who has more experience, you or them?  I haven't looked back since.

There is something to be said for the latest in education and those youngsters like you would have that edge just like your dentist.  When I had to get a license in NC and start from scratch I actually didn't mind the 175 hours of classes because I learned so much!

I've found some very capable young professionals in many fields.  You are not alone!  I started in real estate myself at 24, and age was not an issue for me then any more than it is now, 40 years later.  You control people's response to your age through your appearance, how you handle yourself, and what comes out of your mouth - just as your dentist did.

I have found that age has little to do with competency just as longevity has little to do with competency. There are plenty of real estate professionals out there just like your new dentist and unfortunately just like your old dentist. Just remember people who have a dentist like your old one tend to tell a lot more people about their experiences than people who have a dentist like your new one.

Hi Elena - I LOVE this story!!  I can relate perfectly to your age situation.  I came into real estate at the ripe age of 23.  I encountered that age thing on almost every appointment I went on.  But, as Margaret wrote, I began to overcome that with my dress, my professionalism, my enthusiasm, and pretty soon, I could add my experience, my team, my knowledge, etc.  I was still getting carded well into my 30's, so that age thing stuck with me for quite some time.

I like the plug you gave for your dentist, too.  You should find a way to make sure he sees your post - bet he'll really appreciate it!

Ann

Some people will judge you because of their perceptions of your age... it usually has more to do with htere own insecurities.  There is nothing you can do but look at it as motivation to do your best.  It sounds like your dentist knows his stuff!

I'm a young agent myself... 28, I haven't had many experiences where I felt a client didn't trust me because of my age.  I feel the most important thing is to be human and express concern for your clients.  They want to know that you care about them and that you will take the time to listen to their concerns.  I look for the same thing when I choose my doctors and dentists.  If they don't take the time to make me feel more comfortable and listen to my concerns then I'm out of there.

Probably the reason tht you are prejudged is because many youngsters with no career jumped on the real estate band wagon when things were hot.  There is  lot of resentment from long term professionals brcaause they muddy the waters.  Those that get to know you will eventually see you as a professional if you just stay consistent.

I'm glad your dental visit went well. Since I'm at the other end of the spectrum, I can and do stress my experience. However, most people are comfortable with people near their own age. A good presentation can overcome any doubts people have about age.

That's awesome. He sounds like a great dentist. I know I have seen some doctors that look like they just learned to drive. It's amazing how young someone can look!

Good point- We cant judge by age- and I do it all the time...  I do find as I get older thought that I cannot tell a persons age...I am horrible at guessing.  My current Doctor is very young and also listens more than any I have had in the past.  I also loved Bryan Maynes comment!  That is great for any new agent!!!

If you are passionate about your trade, knowledgeable about a strategy for the client after just listen to them outline the mission, the age factor is in your head.  I know doctors with long hair, in jeans that you might think...hey..what's up for a short time..but once they start interacting you realize it is what is inside, their knowlege, manner, smile and sincerity that counts.  And in a smaller town, word gets around who is hustling, doing a better job and moving product with happy customers buzzing about them.

Sometimes I have this age factor thing going on in my head too, but then I have to remember that my babies are 26 and 23 and if they are going to make it in this world then older people like me have to give up that age factor problem.  Best wishes on your third time around.

This is good. I, too, react to that medication he mentioned. It makes my heart race.

I think the younger generation has lots of talent and energy. My kids are in their late 30's. Love them. Also think that as we age, our wisdom becomes a biggie 'cause we've been there done that.

Perhaps we can get him to move to Alaska after my dentist retires!  I did a four part series on him.  A good dentist is priceless!

Always like a good dentist story... good is good no matter how young or... old (gulp). We can be helpful at any age.

hope the new year serves you well,

cheers 

I guess people will always have their specific stush to get past.  Age, race, sex, and that is terribly sad for what they will miss out on.  However, I have found that, just like you did with your dentist, people can grow.  Now, people have to be willing to grow and learn.

I spoke with a suspect last week who informed me that paperwork was out of the question.  She bought a home 15 years ago with out paperwork and she is old school, won't sign a thing.  She is not willing to grow and keep up with the process now.  She will lose out and you and I know why.  There are agents out there who won't insist on signing so much as the Working with Real Estate Agents flap, but she will receive the service of an agent who is also unwilling to grow and keep up with what is current. 

We all know that age means nothing in this business.  It is all about staying educated on current practice, understanding it, and explaining it.  I wonder if your other dentists had any idea that there was an anesthesia that didn't contain epinephrine.

Congratulatiions on a good dentist! I hate the dentist! 

Great story and it's funny that you were put in the position of wondering if the professional you were hiring was too young to be experienced enough. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Ah, how the tables get turned. 

I am a relative newbie, three years in. My first two years were the worst.  I came from a corporate background with ten years under my belt dealing with high-powered executives, and highly compensated professionals.  I could handle myself professionally is what I'm saying.

I came across two older, well seasoned agents who yelled, yes yelled at me on the phone for two different reasons in two different transactions.  In both cases, I calmly replied to the people that "I am a professional, just like you, and I am not going to be spoken to like that.  Do you want to continue discussing the issue or do you want me to hang up and you can call me back later when you've had a chance to regroup."  One guy hung up on me and the other one apologized and agreed that she was being rude.

If I can handle the CEO of a company, I can handle a realtor!

Two things I learned - I handled myself more professionally than either of those "seasoned" agents and that I would NEVER, EVER be condescending to an agent for any reason.

Having started real estate 10 years ago, at the age of 23, I can relate!  Thanks for the post, and best wishes for your, your baby and your family!  

My last dentist was awesome - he was also a baby face and I was reluctant. I soon found out he had been a pharmacist first and put himself through dental school counting pills. He knew his stuff when it came to drugs and pain killers. I use to have a fear of the dentist before I met him - no fear now with the right drugs! - MISS HIM...I moved away, none have compared.

My last dentist was awesome - he was also a baby face and I was reluctant. I soon found out he had been a pharmacist first and put himself through dental school counting pills. He knew his stuff when it came to drugs and pain killers. I use to have a fear of the dentist before I met him - no fear now with the right drugs! - MISS HIM...I moved away, none have compared.

My last dentist was awesome - he was also a baby face and I was reluctant. I soon found out he had been a pharmacist first and put himself through dental school counting pills. He knew his stuff when it came to drugs and pain killers. I use to have a fear of the dentist before I met him - no fear now with the right drugs! - MISS HIM...I moved away, none have compared.

Hi Elena-

First off, congrats on the feature : ) Having received my real estate license right after turning 18...I so understand. It was extremely difficult to get listings, buyers or much of anything back then. Many years later, I do not prejudice against anyone for their age (or anything else for that matter). People earn my business by how they do the job....and I've found some of the most experienced to have been some of the most incompetent as well. My .02 for what it's worth : )

Good post ! !