Everything I need to know about real estate, I learned in kindergarten.

Written by Lauren Dahl, General Manager and Broker-in-Charge. Originally published in Highlands Newspaper. 

I have this clear mental picture of a poster that hung in the copy room of my high school in rural Alabama—which, in true small-town fashion, was also the elementary and middle school. I used to stare at it while making copies for a teacher or, on occasion, serving time for a smart-aleck remark.

The poster quoted Robert Fulghum’s 1986 book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Its list was simple but profound: share everything, play fair, don’t hit people, put things back where you found them, clean up your own mess, say you’re sorry, wash your hands, flush, enjoy warm cookies and cold milk, live a balanced life, take a nap, hold hands, stick together, be aware of wonder, remember that seeds grow and pets die, and above all—LOOK. (I paraphrased!)

As I’ve settled into my role at Landmark these past few months, I’ve realized how surprisingly true those words are when it comes to everyday life—and especially in practicing real estate.

Of course, we are mandated as real estate licensees to uphold the law and rules, and as REALTORS®, we follow a strict Code of Ethics. But what I’m talking about goes beyond all that. It’s about being a good person: someone others—both brokers and clients—want to work alongside.

First, there’s sharing. We share information. We share listings. And in a perfect world, we share our earnings with cooperating brokers in a fair and balanced way. While the Code of Ethics encourages cooperation, it doesn’t require sharing commission—but doing so fairly helps everyone, and it sets the tone for professionalism and trust.

Next, and perhaps most importantly, we play fair. We not only abide by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, but we go above and beyond to first serve our clients and then treat other brokers and customers with fairness and humility. Negotiations can get tense, deadlines can loom, and emotions can run high; but fairness, honesty, and respect never go out of style.

We put things back where we found them. Quite literally, that means when we’re granted access to someone’s home, we respect that intimate and personal space. We lock up, turn off the lights, remove our shoes, and leave it as we found it. Being invited into someone’s home is a privilege—and one we never take lightly.

When things go south—and let’s face it, they sometimes do—we clean up our messes. That can mean having difficult conversations with clients, taking on extra work or expense to make things right, or simply admitting fault and committing to do better. And of course, it means saying, “I’m sorry” when mistakes are made.

Then there’s “LOOK.” We look closely at contracts, disclosures, and details—but also at people. We pay attention to what clients aren’t saying, notice the small signs that point to their true needs, and anticipate challenges before they become problems. Observation is a superpower in real estate, and it’s amazing how often a simple look—truly noticing—makes all the difference.

Finally, we “hold hands” and stick together. Real estate is not a solo sport. We rely on our colleagues, lenders, attorneys, inspectors, and clients to pull together toward the same goal. When we work collaboratively with mutual respect and trust, the process runs more smoothly (and everyone benefits!).

Fulghum’s list may have been written for kindergartners, but I’m convinced it was just as much for the rest of us. Real estate, like life, comes down to the basics: share, play fair, clean up your messes, say you’re sorry, and never stop looking for wonder. Simple doesn’t always mean easy—but it almost always means right.

And that’s something every agent, every client, and every person could remember—whether they’re signing a contract, walking through a new home, or just navigating life’s unpredictable journey.