Real estate is experiencing an evolution where traditional marketing may no longer be effective. REALTOR® and first-time author Michael J. Maher sums up an emerging entrepreneurial philosophy as a move from the “ego era” to the “generosity generation.” Maher lays out this business and life strategy in (7L) The Seven Levels of Communication (AuthorHouse, 2010), a narrative-style novel telling the story of Rick Masters, a fictional salesperson who learns the transforming lessons of selflessness.
Maher spoke with the Weekly Book Scan to talk about 7L, the generosity generation, and the power of word-of-mouth.
Your book starts out with a very intense moment – your own cardiac arrest. How did that event motivate you to write this book?
Maher: Well there’s “motivation,” and then there’s “MOTIVATION” in all caps, bold letters, underlined and italics. There’s never a moment where you really see or think about your legacy more than when your mortality is in front of you.
My father passed away from cancer in 1992. I had the opportunity to hang out with him during the final three years of his life. I learned more in those three years than I had in the previous 19. He was the father of five, and also a coach and a teacher, so he was busy all of the time when I was younger. But at the end of those last three years, he said his one regret was that he had not written his memoirs. They would’ve been very powerful memoirs because he was a very influential and highly respected man in our community. I can just imagine reading those memoirs to my son Max. That thought crossed my mind as they were wheeling me to the surgery room to put in a temporary pace maker — that night in ICU I started writing. I just thought, I’ve got this information in my head, I’ve got this system that is producing business for me, and I need to share it.
Can you describe the main character, Rick Masters? Continue reading »
Last month we asked readers to share their favorite real estate book. The responses were overwhelmingly in favor of three books in particular: Rich Buyer, Rich Seller!, (7L) The Seven Levels of Communication, and Underwater Home. Although we couldn’t reprint all the recommendations, here’s a few of the lively comments real estate pros wrote about these three books. Find out why they’re worth putting on your must-read list in 2012.
Rich Buyer, Rich Seller! The Real Estate Agents’ Guide to Luxury Marketing Luxury Homes by Laurie Moore-Moore
Gretchen Lambeth
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Fabulous insight into how the luxury market works! A must read for all agents who want to work in this niche.” — Gretchen L. Lambeth, Hawaiian Isle Real Estate, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
“Hands down, it’s the best written, most comprehensive yet concise real estate book I have read. It provides unparalleled insight and value to all luxury real estate professionals, from novices to the most experienced.” — Darren Weiner, Antigen Realty, Miami Beach, Fla.
Petra Fahey
“I was one of the early members of the LHMS designation and have attended two of Laura’s classes over the years. This book is the most successful tool I have and the information has allowed me to become and remain a strong presence in the luxury home market for my area. The most important insight was learning the housing market at the various price points. Many of the homes I list are custom homes, so this pricing strategy is paramount in helping me get the price point across to my sellers. I use this strategy when pricing all my luxury homes and homes that are in other price ranges as well. After years of following the steps in Laura’s book, I am now regularly interviewed by the local paper when they are working on a real estate specific story. I can’t thank Laura enough for her efforts that have resulted in my success.” — Petra Fahey, Real Living Country Ranch, Bullhead City, Ariz. Continue reading »
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