During this Valentine’s week, it’s fitting not only to focus on the romantic loves and close friendships that bless our lives, but also to reflect on some of the many reasons why our members love serving as REALTORS^® and working with buyers and sellers throughout Wilson, Smith, and Dekalb counties.

The reasons we enjoy being in real estate are numerous, of course, but here are a few that come to mind:

1. Connecting with People
Most of us are “people people.” We thrive on opportunities to interact with a diverse range of folks, to get to know them, seek to understand their individual needs as sellers or buyers, and build trusting relationships with them—not only for a single transaction but for the long term. We care about much more than the deal; we care about the people we are privileged to work with.

2. Making a Positive Difference
It might sound lofty, but it’s true: Our business is all about helping people achieve the American dream, find a place to call home, a place where they can put down roots and make memories for a lifetime and beyond. This aspect of real estate is deeply rewarding and provides a strong sense of purpose for the work that we do.

3. Variety from Day to Day
While brokers and agents are governed by a bedrock set of the highest standards, centered around NAR’s REALTOR^® Code of Ethics, the daily aspects of the work we do are filled with exciting variety. Each client and each property is a little bit different, offering ongoing challenges and opportunities to apply a broad range of skills and tools.

4. Continuous Learning and Adapting
The real estate landscape is constantly changing and evolving (in case you hadn’t noticed…). This requires REALTORS^® to approach each day with an open, learning mindset, staying up-to-date on market trends, laws and regulations, strategies, and negotiating nuances. This is an exciting industry for those who are eager and ready to learn something new every day.

5. Community Involvement
Building relationships within the local community is not only an important way to stay informed about the housing market and other property-related changes—which often leads to new business—but it’s also a rewarding way to feel connected to the places where we live and work, to know that we are part of the fabric of what makes Eastern Middle Tennessee so special. Being engaged in our community is only natural for us.

6. Giving Back and Paying It Forward
The real estate industry can be competitive, of course, but it’s also marked by a high level of sharing, helping, mentoring, teaching, encouraging, and supporting fellow REALTORS^®. We are generous by nature, and we are always on the lookout for ways to help others in their own journey, as we have been helped along the way as well.

7. Flexibility and Independence
Most REALTORS^® have an entrepreneurial bent and/or work best when they are out and about, in the community, working closely with clients, getting to know the lay of the land (literally) and seeking to understand the local market. Make no mistake: We work really, really hard, and often the hours are long and far from standard, but setting our own schedule and working from anywhere holds a high appeal.

We could go on, of course! There are as many reasons to love working as a REALTOR^® as there are stars in the expansive Tennessee sky. We invite you to chime in on our social media channels and share some of the reasons why you love being a broker or an agent—or, if you are a buyer, seller, or property owner, please feel free to share what you have loved about working with a REALTOR^®.

In the meantime, may love fill your heart and your life in as many ways as you can imagine this week, and every week.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

About EMTAR: Chartered in 1969, our Association’s 1,200+ REALTORS^® are a proud part of the 36,000+ members of Tennessee REALTORS^® and of the 1.5 million+ members of NAR, all working to serve the public and protect the rights of America’s property owners. EMTAR members are known not only for their unmatched real estate excellence and high ethical standards, but also for being generous, hospitable, others-focused, loyal, hardworking, and eager to help wherever and whenever help is needed.