How to Become a Better Problem Solver as a REALTOR® in 2023

Louisiana REALTORS® • January 31, 2023

Navigating and negotiating a real estate transaction can be a complex and challenging endeavor. No two deals are the same and with an endless array of variables that can influence a sale or purchase at any time, you have to be agile and ready for anything. Because of the nature of your business as a REALTOR®, the sharper your problem-solving skills are, the better you can serve your clients and find success. Here are a few ways you can enhance and improve your problem-solving skills.


Focus on Finding a Solution, Not the Problem

You feed negativity when you focus on the problem instead of finding your solution. The problem in its essence is a negative experience, and you react accordingly which makes it increasingly difficult to think of the best way to resolve it. Once you’re aware of the problem, acknowledge it, then move on to positive thinking in order to solve it. 


Keep Things Simple

It can be easy to complicate things in order to arrive at a solution, especially with the stress of an unexpected problem. When you are able to take a step back and simplify your approach, you are much more likely to arrive at an answer. Try and minimize the details and look at the big picture. The simpler you can make it, the more obvious the solution will become.


Change Your Perspective

Thinking laterally is a valuable skill. Too often it is too easy to get stuck in a rut trying to solve things the same way. When you address a problem from a different angle, it can open up new possibilities. Letting go of your instinctive, reflexive, dominant ideas opens up the opportunity to let chance show you a new way of solving an issue. When you can relax the rigidity and confinements of your everyday thinking, new concepts you may not typically come to will be easier to find.


While these are only a few ways to improve your problem-solving skills, one thing is for sure and it’s that you will have to deal with problems on a daily basis. The better you are at navigating these challenges, the better you’ll be able to serve your clients. From saving time to mitigating risks to providing the best service possible, enhanced problem-solving benefits everyone.

REALTOR® RESOURCES

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As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on buying land and building a new home. This guide covers how to find land for sale, explains construction loans, and weighs the pros and cons of building a custom home. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Buying Land and Building a New Home Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property title theft.
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By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 11, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on deeds and titles. This guide covers the difference between a deed and a title, common types of deeds, and title searches and insurance. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Marketing Your Home Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover buying land / constructing a new home.
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