I Am NOT Quitting My Day Job

I’m getting tired of the question. Not that I hear it often from the folks around me but the other day I watched a television reporter interview a married couple, who live in one of the economically harder hit areas of the country, how they were coping; what they do for a living. When the husband replied that he is a real estate agent, the reporter looked incredulous and said “You’re STILL a real estate agent? Haven’t you even CONSIDERED doing something else?!”

I was glued to the television, praying he would say I don’t know..the national viewership of mainstream television has been trending downward for awhile now. When are YOU gonna give up being a tv reporter? Let’s just say he didn’t. I didn’t honestly hear much of the interview after that for the blood running through my ears. What kind of a question is that?

I know you’ve heard it. Well meaning friends, family, new acquaintances…it’s in the ‘special’ way they say ‘so, how’s real estate’ even if it isn’t a direct question. Well, here goes. Here’s my answer just so we can all be clear about it.

I LOVE selling real estate. I’ve done nothing to put bread on my table or save for retirement since graduating from UNC except sell real estate. I’ve owned my own company, managed other’s companies, been on every conceivable board and committee in my industry and after 29 years I’m still selling real estate. Do you ask your doctor why she is still in medicine, what with the high cost of insurance and all?

I will not quit doing something I love just because the going gets rough. Heck, I started when interest rates were at 18%. We may not be what caused this ‘housing crisis’ but we’re sure as heck gonna be what gets us OUT of it. As someone I admire pointed out recently, it’s up to us. The government isn’t going to fix this so let’s not wait for them to. If a million Realtors sold a million homes tomorrow there would BE NO ‘housing crisis’! Why would I quit when tomorrow I could be a hero just by doing the thing I love doing most?

If you have what it takes (and I KNOW you do) stand up here with me proudly and say I DARE you to ask me why I’m still a Realtor…out loud and proud! Everybody now! I AM NOT QUITTING MY DAY JOB!

Now, what kind of a house are you and your family looking for?