T
he Real Estate Game: Where Ego Meets Reality

    I'll never forget the text message that burst my bubble. It was an invitation to host an open house in Oakland, courtesy of a stranger who had apparently reviewed my "tracking record." I'd just returned from an exclusive luncheon with top-performing female agents, feeling like part of the elite. But this message was a harsh reality check.

    The irony wasn't lost on me – here was someone asking me to host their open house without even knowing me or my brokerage. It was a lazy, sloppy approach that made me question the value I bring to my clients. As Realtors, we're not just salespeople; we're professionals who guide our clients through complex transactions.

    The industry is facing a reckoning, with headlines about DOJ settlements and commission bifurcation. We're being forced to defend our worth on every transaction. But what we won't do is compromise on quality or integrity. That's why top agents prioritize key strategies and delegate tasks to those who excel in specific areas.

    My team and I take a different approach. While I'm front-facing, my colleagues Jill and Kate handle the behind-the-scenes work – from preparing properties for market to managing social media. We lean into our strengths and capitalize on each other's talents. It's a small-team approach that works beautifully for us and our clients.

    That's why we partner with COMPASS, a company that shares our values of diversity, inclusion, and transparency. Their onsite dashboard, COMPASS One, keeps buyers and sellers informed every step of the way. When it comes to results, integrity, and genuine care, who you work with truly matters.

    At Julie Gardner & Sarah Abel | Compass Realty, we're not just Realtors – we're consultants who educate, explore, examine, and refer. We take care of your home as if it were our own because that's what matters most.