We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies.More info
Metro West HOME TeamMetro West HOME Team
Call Us:

781-647-1552

Message Us:

[email protected]

  • Meet Stewart
  • Testimonials
  • Explore Metro West
  • Get In Contact
  • Sell
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Home Value Report
  • Buy
  • Search for Homes
  • Read My Blog
  • Join Real
    • Call Us:

      781-647-1552

    • Message Us:

      [email protected]

    Featured Image

    What the Olympics Reveals About Selling Homes

    On Friday, July 23, a little after 9 p.m. in Tokyo, tennis player Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron at the 2021 Summer Olympic...

    • Stewart Woodward
    • August 9th, 2021
    • 5 min read

    On Friday, July 23, a little after 9 p.m. in Tokyo, tennis player Naomi Osaka lit the cauldron at the 2021 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony, officially beginning the planet's biggest sporting competition. On the other side of the world, thousands of miles and over 13 time zones away, real estate agents in North America brewed their morning coffees and prepared themselves for another day of home-selling.

    On the surface, there might be few differences between Olympic athletes in Tokyo, with their incredible sporting qualities and the most successful real estate agents. But dig deeper, and you'll discover both cohorts share the same characteristics. Persistence. Perseverance. An innate desire to win. Dig even deeper, and you'll notice the entire ethos of the Olympics is eerily similar to that of real estate sales: Train, work hard, and you'll eventually win. Here's what the Olympics reveals about selling homes.

    Preparation is Key

    Athletes often forgo the Olympics because they might not be "ready yet." What do they do? They work harder and train longer. Then they come back in four years, win a gold medal, and make their countries proud. The same principle applies to those agents in your market. The best ones don't fall at the first obstacle but push through the pain barrier and make it to the finish line. 

    Sometimes, becoming a gold-medal agent is a marathon, not a sprint. Offers fall through, contracts are voided, and the people they're helping suffer disappointment. The best local agents might not have always been superstars, but they've worked on their weaknesses and spent time preparing. Good agents identified their weak spots and learned how to jump over the biggest hurdles to exceed their clients' expectations. They genuinely care. They discovered how to price local real estate competitively. They knew their numbers. They knew their market. Today, the most successful agents network with local industry influencers. They build long-lasting connections and take tips from the top sellers in their teams. It's not always what they know but who they know. If you're looking for an agent that has prepared themselves the best they can, look for these things:

    • A comprehensive, omnichannel marketing plan
    • A transparent pricing strategy
    • Several 5-star reviews from past clients

    These are the agents who go above and beyond.

    Hard Work Pays Off

    Real estate agents don't win gold medals, but there are winners and losers in this game. The agent who gets her seller top dollar for their home and hits their expectations out of the park (or the stadium or the tennis court) gets rewarded. She's the Usain Bolt of the office — the one everyone respects. 

    She's the one you want to sell your home. 

    How do agents become winners? Through hard work, of course. Like the most celebrated athletes, the most successful agents spend years perfecting their craft and fine-tuning strategies to help more people. No one becomes "Agent of the Month" overnight. It takes months, sometimes years, of practice. 

    Take Ben Caballero from Addison, Texas, for example. Guinness World Records has him listed as "America's No.1 real estate agent" after selling an amazing 3,556 homes in 2016 — seven times more than his nearest competitor. Ben achieved this accolade from years of hard graft. He learned new skills, provided value to his audience, and kept his eye on the prize like an athlete. If real estate were the Olympics, his name would be at the top of the medals table. 

    Your real estate agent should have success stories and a proven track record in your market. Work with an agent that shares Ben's dedication to local real estate and helping their clients.

    Setbacks Won't Ruin Future Successes

    Almost every Olympic athlete has stumbled along the road to victory. Finnish long-distance runner Lasse Viren fell in the 10,000m final at the 1972 Munich Games but got up, dusted himself off, and won the gold medal in a world-record time. American gymnast Paul Hamm recovered from an accident on the vault at the 2004 Athens Games but recovered for the 2008 Beijing Games. These athletes never gave up on their dreams.

    Agents might have a hard month and ask themselves if real estate is working out. The best agents don't let such a setback ruin their future success. They're dedicated to helping their community. They understand that real estate goes through peaks and troughs.

    The best local agents also celebrate their achievements. Did they win an award? You'll see that honor on their Facebook page. A bulging portfolio of 5-star reviews? It's available on their website.

    Before You Go

    Don't just watch the 2021 Olympics on television and forget about them - apply the principles of the Games to real estate and find an agent that sells homes like a world-class athlete. Realize that, like with the planet's greatest sports stars, preparation is key, hard work pays off, and a setback or two makes the best agents more determined to succeed for you.

    Talk to a local real estate agent that's going for gold. 

    Click Here 🏅

    Author Photo
    About the author

    Stewart Woodward

    781-647-1552
    I believe real estate is about more than just transactions—it's about helping people find their place in the world while building community. After 40+ years as an entrepreneur, including running a successful commercial photography business based in Waltham for two decades, I've brought my eye for detail and passion for service to the real estate industry. My background in visual arts gives me a unique perspective on showcasing properties, while my experience as a business owner taught me the value of meticulous precision and unwavering client advocacy. With my Metro West Home Team brand, I provide personalized, one-on-one service to every client. My approach combines savvy negotiation skills with local knowledge and a customer-first philosophy. My track record speaks for itself—in recent years, my seller clients' properties have sold for an average of 98.58% of original listing price, typically with offers accepted within 12 days. But what truly matters to me is guiding clients through what can often be an overwhelming process with flexibility, creativity, and personal warmth. Before joining REAL Broker, I managed my own boutique real estate brokerage, Central Square Realty Group, in downtown Waltham for four years. This entrepreneurial experience deepened my understanding of the local market and allowed me to develop a hands-on approach to real estate that continues to benefit my clients today. I'm proud to now be part of REAL Broker, a publicly-traded, technology-powered brokerage operating throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their innovative platform and agent-centric approach perfectly align with my commitment to excellent client service and their motto: "Work Hard, Be Kind." I'm a licensed Real Estate Broker in Massachusetts, a member of both the Massachusetts and National Associations of Realtors, and hold Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certifications. With over 90 clients served and more than $39 million in sales volume over my 12+ years in real estate, I've developed the expertise to handle any situation—but I've never lost sight of the human element that makes this profession so rewarding. Beyond my professional life, I remain deeply connected to my community. I'm active in the Rotary Club, where I served as president and currently serve as treasurer of the Waltham Club. I also participate in the Chambers of Commerce across Waltham, Watertown, and Newton. My civic engagement includes serving as a trustee of historic Gore Place, where I lead the Buildings and Grounds committee and contribute as an active member of the development committee. I'm also proud to serve on the City of Waltham's Affordable Housing committee, working to ensure our community remains accessible for all residents. I believe in giving back to the community that has supported me. Both personally and through my Metro West HOME Team business, I actively support important local non-profits. We've been a Community Partner of Gore Place for many years, helping to preserve this historic landmark through ongoing sponsorship. With my background in the arts, I'm also passionate about supporting local creativity. Each November, my business and I sponsor the Waltham Mills Artist Association's annual open studios event, creating opportunities for visitors to experience art being created firsthand and to connect directly with talented local artists.

    Similar posts like this

    Waltham

    Finding Community in Waltham: Where City Energy Meets Hometown Charm

    Read more
    Watertown

    Preparing Your Home for Market: A Strategic Approach

    Read more
    Newton

    My Delicious Discovery: Burke Hill Farm's Organic Wild Maine Blueberries

    Read more
    Metro West HOME Team

    “Committed to Your Success!”

    Metro West HOME Team - Real

    9 Church Street Waltham MA 02452

    9 Church Street Waltham MA 02452

    Call Us:

    781-647-1552

    Message Us:

    [email protected]

    Footer Links

    • Meet Stewart
    • Testimonials
    • Read My Blog
    • Get In Contact
    • Sell
    • Home Value Report
    • Buy
    • Search for Homes
    Privacy Policy

    Metro West HOME Team - Real © 2025

    Powered by