What White Water Rafting and Real Estate Have in Common

A fun fact: I used to guide canoeing, rafting, and hiking trips throughout the Yukon and Alaska.

Imagine that. Reflecting on my time spent as a guide, I’ve come to the following conclusion: being a realtor is a lot like guiding a white water rafting trip. Crazy? Not really. Let me explain what I mean.

Back country travel + Calgary real estate

What White Water Rafting and Real Estate Have in Common. Though the terrain is quite different, I can immediately come up with several parallels between guiding a rafting trip in the great white north and being a real estate agent here in Calgary.

Follow along: Twists and turns are expected Navigating back country waters presents several obstacles, as well as twists and turns that easily lead us off the proper path and into a danger zone. Each trip out was different from the last, and bound to be different from the next. Water levels, temperatures, and weather patterns all played a role in the experience. In real estate, it’s so easy to get off track when entrenched in the murky waters of what is truly a complex process.

Each situation will present different circumstances, and the people, banks, lawyers, and agents involved can all alter it in their own way. Understanding the process and being ready to shift gears at any given point will make the experience more enjoyable. The importance of knowledge + experience As a guide, it’s assumed that you bring knowledge and experience to the table that is not necessarily possessed by your visitors. Having knowledge and experience in the wilderness meant that I could lead less experienced people of all physical levels into unfamiliar territory, and they could enjoy themselves knowing they were safe in my hands.

My relationships between myself and my clients are entirely about using my experience to guide buyers and sellers through an unknown process that I am familiar with. Having the know-how to navigate the sale or purchase of a property and keep their best interests at heart is incredibly important to letting the buyer or seller enjoy the process and feel safe in the transaction. It comes down to helping A guide is there to lead, to protect, and to inform. But at the core of being a guide is the desire to help people. Because essentially, when exploring the unknown, people simply need help.

The same goes for real estate.

I approach every business deal with the desire to learn how I can best help my clients. This begins with learning more about the type of lifestyle desired, then discovering the specifics that will support that lifestyle. From there, I take pride in guiding buyers through the process of finding, securing, and celebrating their new home. And for anything I can’t directly help with, I’m sure to know someone who can. Why this matters for you Embark upon your real estate adventure with an open mind. Expect the unexpected, and approach twists and turns with flexibility. Educate yourself to a certain point, but let your agent lead you. Depend on him/her for the knowledge you don’t have, and never hesitate to ask questions. And finally, know that your agent is there to help. Come to the table with everything you want, and let me guide the way.

Are you ready for the experience?