Sell With Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect

Jennifer Allan brings a fresh approach to selling in this updated second edition of her book "Sell With Soul." She encourages those entering real estate as a career to consider respect, competence, enthusiasm, and confidence as the cornerstones of success and principles for maintaining self-respect.

The book is filled with stories, examples, and valuable information for those considering real estate as a career and for those who are just out of real estate school ready to take the next step in their career.

I found the table of contents exceptionally helpful as it is extremely complete. Chapter titles are "catchy" but clearly worded to describe the content of the chapter with additional subtitles which outline the information included. This is helpful in reviewing or rereading topics of special interest to the reader.

Jennifer includes an emphasis for the "socially uncomfortable," the introvert, or the shy. She discusses their first open house, steps to finding that first buyer, as well as walking through the steps leading to a contract of sale.

The format of the book includes important side bars. Jennifer writes using the basic vocabulary of the industry with clear and helpful definitions for many of these terms. Throughout the book are a number of Jennifer’s blogs which give insight into her enthusiasm and her unique philosophy of selling and client relationships. I also found the inclusion of contributions by colleagues, or guest authors, added an important element to the book. These contributions reinforce Jennifer’s strategies, and her career philosophy.

The chapter on career development is of special significance to those just starting out. These solid suggestions can be adapted by the veteran agent or broker as well. A comprehensive appendix provides sample checklists, resources and a list of those who contributed articles in the book.

"Sell With Soul" by Jennifer Allan is a book that should be presented to every graduate of real estate school or by every broker signing on a new agent. Veteran agents and brokers will find the book a refreshing stimulus to moving on to a new plateau in their career.

Sell With Soul
Jennifer Allan, GRI
BlueGreen Books (2008)
ISBN 9780981672700
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (9/08)