Find Your People
Why community isn’t optional but essential.
Recently, both our buyer’s agent and our sales agents in Florida asked us to write reviews on Zillow and Google. At first, I hesitated. Does anyone really read these things? But then I realized I do. I read the good ones, the bad ones, and everything in between. Both of our agents earned great reviews from us.
What struck me most wasn’t just how well they did their jobs but how different they were from each other. Different personalities. Different styles. Yet both delivered more than we expected. Once again, I was reminded of something simple but easy to forget: we need other people.
When we first decided to sell our homes, we actually considered doing it ourselves. I thought, How hard could it be? It turns out it’s much harder than it looks. A good agent is worth their weight in gold. But this isn’t really about real estate. It’s about relationships. We all need a circle of people around us—friends, advisors, and professionals who know what they’re doing and care enough to help us do it right.
As I write this, I’m getting ready for a dental appointment. It’s not just any appointment; it’s one of four cleanings I schedule every year. A few years ago, my periodontist and his staff literally saved me from losing several of my teeth. I had no idea how bad things had gotten until I walked into their office. Thanks to their care, I avoided some major issues.
Now, every time I see them, they’re amazed at how much progress I’ve made. But here’s the real lesson: you can’t do it alone. I couldn’t have done it without them. Relationships matter, even with the people we might only see twice a year.
If you take the time to build those relationships, they often grow deeper than you expect. Your doctor, dentist, plumber, mechanic—they’re people too. They appreciate gratitude. They notice kindness. Small gestures go a long way when you treat them like human beings instead of service providers.
Here in Tennessee, we’re building a new community from the ground up. We’ve met the electrician, the plumber, the yard guy, the pool crew, and the gas and electric folks. Each of them plays a small but essential part in helping us make this house a home.
It’s up to you to find the helpers, the steady hands, the people who know how to make life work. And once you do, cherish them. Because one day, you’ll not only need them, they might also need you.