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Realtor without a Car

"When it rains it pours," as the old saying goes. Two weeks ago it started pouring. Upon the completion of my "100 Days to Change", I thought that things were looking up as I had 2 closing coming up and 3 other Offers to Purchase and Contract in the works. All 3 Offers to Purchase and Contract failed to work out, one of my closings ended up being terminated and my car blew up. Well there it is. When we say prayers, we don't always get the results we want. Now I'm finding myself seriously in a fix. My wife has been on me for the past 2+ years about stable income. I've put forth an enormous amount of effort to make it in real estate during this horrific market and I feel as if I'm at the crossroads. Can anyone offer their input? Oh, and by the way, does anyone know of someone with a good, cheap, four door sedan?

Laying on the ground in the the torrential down pour trying to get back up,

Paul Hockaday

www.myNCbroker.com

Posted by Paul Hockaday on 04/13/2009 11:40 AM

Comments (15)

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15 Comments on Realtor without a Car

APR

Hi Paul~ I am sorry you are having so much trouble. Yes, when it rains, it pours! It is horrible having all of those deals fall through. I wish I had a car for you, but I do not.... I do not know what the answer is but know that there are many agents in similar situations such as yours. A few of my friends have given it up and have moved on to regular paying jobs with stability. It made me feel sad to lose them from our business because they were really good real estate agents. It is a tough decision to stay or go, and you are the only one to make that decision..... I don't have the magical answer, but if I did, I would gladly share it with you....

Thank you Vickie. I appreciate your response.

Paul - Tough call, especially when you have put so much effort into building your business. I hope your situation improves and things start falling into place. Best of luck on whatever you decide.

This is a tough call and only you should make it. Have you ever thought about working the full time job in very off hours? If you can go without lots of sleep work third shift and or very early hours... You can do it if you want to. Never easy but you asked.

Paul - In my book family has to come first. You need to gather the family together, have one of those heart to heart talks where you discuss your goals and dreams but you also have to listen to everyone else's input also. Decide as a family what is best and push forward with that decision. Good luck!!!

APR

I feel your pain Paul. I have been through a lot in 2009 also. I just keep telling myself that it's going to get better and things will pick up. I agree with Dan, family must always come first. You know what you need to do to make things happen.

Hey, Paul. I know that you put your heart and soul into your 100 Days of Change and I know that this is just the dip on the roller coaster ride. Remember that things will turn around for the better and you will grow from this. I agree with Dan that you should have a serious discussion with the family. All my best and keep your chin up, Jim

Paul, I think a lot of us are in the same boat, and are exploring secondary or diverse income sources. There is a top agent I'm working with right now, his name is Brett Noel and he's awesome, he's helping me put together a plan to rely less on real estate commission-based income. www.BrettNoel.com and we'll all be praying -- for you and for each other!

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Paul:

I wish I had an immediate answer for you. I tried Sharon's suggestion; but it really got in the way. The part-time boss thought his job was my primary and not willing to compromise. It just made me more determined to get this working.

Keep up the good fight.

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I totally understand your wife's point of view as well. I had to make this decision myself. I used to be an accountant and went back to doing accounting work as an independent contractor and sometimes part time employee which gives me stable income. I still have time to do real estate because I work for several people - it's like having several part time jobs. We have to take care of our family and think beyond ourselves sometimes. Working from home is great too. I absolutely love it. You can still keep in contact with fellow realtors by attending MLS meetings/classes, etc regularly. I just changed brokerages and am so glad I did. Once the market picks up again, it is hands down to real estate-I love the business! Good luck whatever you do. Peace!

APR

Paul,

I wish I had a referral I could send your way. I claim Jeremiah 29:11 when I am low:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to

harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." NIV

I think God has great plans for you and I will keep you in my prayers.

Hey, Paul. I wanted to stop back by to share with you that yesterday was not a great car day for myself. I went in for a simple oil change, only to find out that there 3 of my tires had nails in them. So $750 later I am back on the road. I feel your pain, Jim

You have a tough decision to make - and one only you can make. There have been times in the last 16 years that I too have asked if I should stay or go. But I've always been glad I stayed - it's a good business - but very tough sometimes.

I've been a property manager for 45 years - 3 real estate broker licenses, started 2 property management firms from NOTHING....

Ask your broker if you can start a property management "division", get educated on landlord-tenant laws and start direct mail to ABSENTEE property owners who are attempting to rent their units long distance or have no local property manager.

Do it RIGHT and 2 years from now you can take your wife to Hawaii for a vacation....there is no DOWN TIME with property management - market is good, investors buy; market is bad, homeowners rent.

APR

Truly your call Paul, you have to decide 100% either way. You will win with that mindset.

Here's what I have done to take this market on: hired an awesome coach, mastermind weekly with several agents and business owners who are waaaayyy more experienced than me, set clear goals, defined why I'm doing it all and tied lots of emotion to it, and worked my tail off.

There are positives and negatives to this business. For me, the freedom to choose and be creative while serving my clients and industry gets me out of bed each morning.

Good luck and success in your choice!

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