I am always impressed by the amount of continuing education my wife, Elizabeth Henderson, dives into.  As with many professions, to keep a real estate license, a broker must continue their professional development.  It can be in-person seminars, online courses, or many other possibilities.  To keep up in the ever evolving industry, Elizabeth sometimes does several classes in a week, and it’s way more than what licensing requires.  She lives continuing ed.  It is one of the reasons I call her a Real Estate Ninja!

A recent lawsuit against the NAR (National Association of Realtors) is changing the way that an agent is paid, specifically on the buyer side of the equation.  

I was watching a few drummers play clinics on YouTube.  Jonathan Moffett, the concert tour drummer for Micheal Jackson (amongst many others).  The late Neil Peart of Rush… and last, but certainly not least, Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band.  Other than an elective in college, I never played drums.  I could barely do anything on a snare, let alone a trap set.  But, I can absolutely get shivers up my spine watching any one of those gentlemen play.  These guys all make it look easy.  If you really nerd out on how someone who makes it easy is really doing some crazy amazing skilled stuff, check out the Jeff Percaro Blogspot.  Entry upon entry about the genius and skill of the original drummer of the band Toto, and all the little nuances he did to make their songs so catchy and yet insanely complex.  Good drummers keep the beat, and know that their job is to make all the other members of the band sound better.

I thought about it a bit, and really, isn’t that true of any elite professional?  When they perform at the level they really need to, it can almost look effortless.  Smooth….like there isn’t much to it at all!  Behind the scenes, that performance is a result of countless hours of practice, years of study, and a passionate mastery of the craft. 

When I started working on my commercial pilot certificate, I had this amazing instructor who used the term, “Don’t spill the coffee!”  It would be used at pretty much any opportunity:  Landings, flight maneuvers, instrument holds, you name it.  I paid homage to that instructor and used the phrase all the time with my students when I started instructing. So here’s the thing… there wasn’t a coffee machine in the 4 seater Piper airplane we flew back in college.  The phrase means much more. “Don’t spill the coffee!” implies that in order to be smooth, you have to think ahead.  You have to consider the factors effecting that event.  It comes with planning, applying skill and knowledge, then briefings on that plan, and in the commercial world - teamwork - to execute that plan and consider contingencies for when it must deviate. You must recognize the scenario and use procedures and skills to make it seem…..easy.  

Wings Northwest Real Estate endeavors to make a transaction simple, seamless, and…Easy.  The impression of easy comes with 20+ years of experience in the industry by a performer who enjoys the explanation of details in a way that allows her clients to make the best decisions.  It comes with connections to people who also strive to master their craft so that the focus is on the fine points of selling and buying.  Whatever it is, we work on helping you get from point A to point B ‘in the groove’ and without 'spilling the coffee’.