President's Perspective

Competitors or Cooperators?

Skip Weiler, 2004 President

Not very many professionals can say that they eagerly split their profits with their competitors.  In fact, there are many real estate brokers who resist co-op sales, preferring not to become REALTORS® and not to join the Multiple Listing Service.  Would you believe there are boards of REALTORS® with separate multiple listing services for commercial and residential brokers where exchanging information and working together are not part of their daily lives.  How fortunate we are to be part of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

There’s a trite saying, “Half a loaf is better than none.”  When it comes to active, successful REALTORS®, those half loaves add up to a large amount of dough.  (I had to work that in.)  Not surprisingly, those offices that are quick to co-op with others seem to be the most successful.

We sometimes take for granted the spirit of cooperation and friendship which exists among members of our Board.  Whether a broker, lender, developer, appraiser, or any other person in our field, we gladly share information, assist when needed, and treat others as we would want to be treated.  The Golden Rule has not gone out of style.  This attitude of helping one another has been a long time trademark of the Columbus Board. 

I’m reminded of the expression that a rising tide lifts all boats and in this case, all of us REALTORS® are better off by cooperating.  After all, it is the general public to whom we are serving, and the more we can improve our profession, the better the service will be. 

So the next time you hear the word “competitor”, substitute the word “friend”.  Now we can boast that we have the friendliest Board in the country.