9 ways real estate is 'Star Wars'

“Star Wars” is all anyone seems to be talking about these days, and who can blame them? It’s storytelling at its finest. But have you ever really stopped and thought about the similarities between “Star Wars” and our chosen profession, real estate? Well, I have, and here’s what I’ve got:

1. Music matters

I mean, for real. How can you hear those first few notes and not immediately get excited? I bet even John Williams gets goosebumps when he hears it, and he wrote the dang thing.

What do you listen to on the way to a buyer consultation or a listing appointment? There’s definitely power in music to change your mood and outlook! I like listening to Iron Maiden’s “Run to the hills” before a listing appointment to get myself ready for the conversation. What’s your go-to?

2. Age is irrelevant

Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher don’t have to be young to be kick-ass amazing. Except for a few nasty trolls on Twitter, I think everyone was glad to see them in all their no-longer-young glory.

Because Lord knows, there is a glory to growing old, and it’s not for sissies. Plus, what about those youngsters who thought the Jedi were a myth? They were crazy awesome as well.

Real estate has traditionally been the home for the second or third career folks (which is part of the reason why we wind up with an average Realtor age of 57), but we are seeing a surge of agents making this their first career.

And consumers don’t care about the age of their agent. They care about knowledge, expertise and compassion — none of which are age exclusive. So rock on, no matter how old you are.

3. Old can teach new

Pretty sure Finn and Rey weren’t too thrilled about visiting with Maz but boy howdy, she rocked their worlds. Han Solo and Chewbacca had the knowledge and background to get moving again. General (and princess) Leia rocked the house — period.

We see this in real estate all the time. Older, experienced agents are routinely taking new agents under their wing to show them the ropes — teaching them how to overcome objections, explaining terminology and being a sounding board in a crazy world.

I think it’s happening more than it’s known, and I would love it if we talked more about those who lifted us all up along the way — to be the constant reminder that anyone who is experienced has an obligation to return the favor.

4. New can teach old

Han Solo was thrilled to get the Millennium Falcon back, but he was a little grumpy at Rey having already been on board. He grudgingly accepts her help in flying the ship and realizes that her expertise is a benefit.

I see this with the newer, younger agents who have an organic knowledge of technology and are reaching out to older agents who hold it at arms’ length.

We are all better when we help each other. It doesn’t have to be a fistfight all the time, even in a competitive business.

5. We all need someone

Han Solo needs Chewbacca. Leia needs Han Solo. Luke needs someone (bless him). Kylo Ren needs a soul. Finn needs Poe. And Rey needs Finn, even if she hates to admit it.

Life is lonely if you think you can manage by yourself. Not just lonely, but so much harder than it needs to be. I don’t know of many careers as lonely as real estate.

When you’re a bunch of 1099s running around competing, it’s hard. When things get tough, your spouse or partner tunes you out, your friends don’t get it, your fellow agents get too hung up on lollipops, sunshine and glitter, and you can feel isolated.

Find a friend. Maybe in your market, maybe somewhere else across the country, but build the support system that helps you survive because the person who survives does a heck of a lot better job for clients.

6. The chasm might open, but it’s not over

In the cool battle scene in the snow, when the world is starting to turn on itself, the chasm opens. We never know if the one side is done or just resting, but the movie wasn’t over and neither was the possibility of saving everything.

That’s kind of like a negotiation. Just when you think it’s over and it seems the crazies or stubborns have won — things awaken, and you have one more chance. Sometimes, that’s all you need — one more chance.

8. Screwing up doesn’t mean you’re done

I’m pretty sure that every character in any episode of “Star Wars” makes a mistake. Yet 38 years later, here they still are, saving the universe one system at a time. And guess what — we still love them.

Even ol’ Ren is still loved, despite his choices. In the trenches, real estate is the same way. Some transactions go bad, no matter how hard you worked or how hard you tried.

But you get another chance the minute you pick up the phone and talk to your next potential client. You live, you learn, you get better.

8. Love wins

I mean, come on. Two love stories? For a woman who enjoys a good chick flick with a happily ever after, it was pleasantly surprising to have not one but two sweet relationships to grin over. (Not really sure that this is a real estate moment, but I had to get it in here somehow.)

9. Light rules

Of course, we don’t really know what’s going to be revealed when the next two episodes are shot and screened, but as long as there’s good left in the world, it will win out.

Maybe you’ll run across an unethical, lying, cheating so-and-so, but at some point they’ll fall when karma hits ’em from behind. Just do it right. Do what’s best for the client.

Even when clients are screaming and yelling and cussing, do what’s right and protect them. Be their light in the darkness of real estate, and everyone will win.

This is just how I see it. And there are plenty of other realizations to be made on the parallels between real estate and “Star Wars.”

In full disclosure, I don’t know what is or is not a spoiler because I haven’t seen an episode since 1983. I’m a nerd — an ’80s nerd.

Leigh Brown is a full-time residential Realtor, speaker, coach and smartass. She works in the Charlotte, North Carolina, market with Re/Max Executive Realty and can be reached @leighbrown on all networks.

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