Unless you've been living under a rock the past few months, you already know that the housing market hasn't been doing as well as most people would like.

You've got an inventory that's out of control, an economy that's heading in the wrong direction, and on top of that, you practically need a 2nd mortgage just to fill your car up with a tank of gas.

But despite all of that someone, somewhere is still buying homes.

And they have Realtors® helping them facilitate that process.

This got me thinking: How is that those guys (and gals) are still successful despite what most would consider the worst housing slump in recent history?

Or to put it another way: What's their secret to success?

And while I certainly haven't conducted an exhaustive study on the matter, talking directly to those individuals, I can tell you this: Successful people do things that make them successful.

And the opposite is also true.

In other words, part of their "secret" is that those Agents are doing things that make them successful, and their less successful counterparts simply aren't.

And by the way, when I talk about "success" I don't just mean making more money (although that is important), and I'm not necessarily limiting it to business (although we're talking about that right now).

I think successful husbands/wives do things that make them successful in their relationship.

I think successful parents do things that make them successful with their kids.

And yes, I think successful Realtors® do things that make them successful too – despite current market conditions.

"What are some of those things," you might ask.

Well, they continue to network with people in their local business community. They attend Chamber of Commerce events, local business associations and even consider volunteering with a specific service club (e.g., Kiwanis, Rotary etc.)

While they're networking and meeting new people, successful Agents are coming across as knowledgeable and upbeat about the market.

Now notice the language -- knowledgeable and upbeat.

Meaning that instead of complaining about the market, and coming across as a stressed out Agent, they acknowledge where the market is at, but talk about where it's going in the future and how this is a terrific time to buy your 1st home.

You see the difference?

Successful Agents are reading books, and listening to CDs about building their business, and the less successful ones have one foot out the door trying to get a "real" job.

Now make no mistake about: Times are tough.

But somewhere, somebody is selling a home … and making a decent living in the process.

So the better question becomes, why can't that person be you?

If you'd like some more ideas on how to get more business in today's tough market, just email info@agitoconsulting.com (Subject: More Buyers in Today's Tough Market) and I'll shoot you a copy of a free report.

But either way you look at it, your situation is what you choose to make out of it. And here's to you making the commitment to making it a success.

Published: July 31, 2008

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As a popular speaker and author of the resource How to Get More Business in Today's Tough Market, Brian specializes in helping busy agents get more leads and close more deals - even in a market as "challenging" as this. For a free report on 2 Easy Ways to Get More Business in Today's Tough Market, just email my office and we'll send it right over.