I must be doing something right... 80+% of my business has been repeat and referral business for 15+ years. But I'm not giving away any of my secrets here, although I will say my market knowledge and my 45+ years of negotiating expertise go a long way.

I never worry about how much competition there is out there... it comes and it goes.  I just keep doing what I know works. In the past month three of my clients congratulated me on my switch to a new brokerage... that actually happened almost 14 months ago... they don't care who I affiliate with because they choose to work with me and some of them have worked with me through multiple brokerage affiliations.

There are many different business models.  Some thrive while others find it difficult to survive.  I think that can be seen in many industries not just real estate.  And not just now...for longer than any of us have been around.  Just my thought.  

at this stage of the game, they won't jump ship to another agent....

when, and if, they like us.... they like us forever....

My clients choose me because I am honest, trustworthy and caring.  Also, I know a lot about real estate!

Florida has about 300,000 licensed agents...99% work as "transaction brokers" with no loyalty, no total confidentiality, no full disclosure to anyone...

Less than 30 of the 300,000 agent represent only buyers with full fiduciary duties and no conflict of interest. 

For buyers that do their homework and research, that is an easy decision.

Eve

We present our value proposition to buyers and sellers and we get our fair share...of business. Yes, there is lot of competition. Yet, most new agents do not find success in this business.

Credit or blame...it is easy to point fingers and make excuses. Move forward and always try to do your best.

My clients are more than just a business transaction for me and prove it with continued referrals.

I think there's plenty of room for more agents and I give my clients the credit for performing as needed and allowing me to help them improve their lives through real estate.

It’s quality that counts not quantity.

Market knowledge

Marketing knowledge

Negotiation skills

All I know is that everything will go well guranteed & you get me too!

Professionalism and personality

I wholeheartedly agree with Michael Jacobs .  Perfectly said.  A

Making a lot of assumptions Mott, competition is good, it forces us to improve.

Folks do not hire/choose brokerages, they choose the agent.

Why would they choose me? If they don't the pup gets it!

Credit or blame. In this context, as long as the industry champions deception (teams) and misrepresentation (brokers) and stolen IP (Zdevil) placing responsibility for unexpected outcomes is problematic.

This is the environment created by brokers and if they don't clean it up, outside influences may do it for them. The outcome may result in addressing your first issue....too many brokers and agents.

 PS: if any has these number share it. TOTAL number of residiential real estate tranactions in the USA. Let's devide that by 1.2 million REALTORS and lets see if the pie is big enough.

Yes, right, I am will all answers. 

This is why we are in business.

Well, I'm no beauty queen so it must have been my knowledge, charm, and wit.

Seems like you're looking for an elevator speech?

Your only competition is you! The rest is the minefield you must navigate. 

 I provide my client's choices and alternative solutions to meet their real estate needs. Henry Ford famously said, "they can have any color of Model T they want as long as it is black". The real estate industry has long had a similar situation, high-cost commission or FSBO. I provide other solutions while maximizing their equity (through cost savings over the legacy commission compensation system). Consumers want choices, I provide choices.

Is this an interview or a listing appointment? 

I echo what Nina Hollander said.  

Dependable and honest service. I go the extra mile for all my clients.  

Successful transactions should generate referrals.

No longer bothers me. There is life other than work. 

My knowledge & expertise, personality and above all, my communication.

I get most my by past referrals!

Referral and sphere are almost all of my business.  No issues here.

There have always been too many companies and too many agents.  Not that many people choose me when you consider how many could.  It is their loss but once again, too many choices.

The first two quarters of the year, I had 100% repeat and referral business and referred web leads out. This 4th quarter, barring some last minute web leads, I will do 100% again. 

Most of my business is repeat, with 90 - 100% being repeat or referral for the past few years. I think it's my customer service, knowledge, negotiating skills and the fact that I am authentic that keeps them coming back for more!