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Top 10 Things I Love About Real Estate!

I just feel the need today to blog about the top 10 things I love about real estate. I am sitting here in the aisle of our church sanctuary watching my daughter dress rehearse for her weekend performance, and enjoying my wireless (yet again!).

I'll go backward in true Letterman style:

10-I can update my files while eating ice cream and sitting on the floor!

9--I can market my listings in the middle of the night, giving new meaning to flex hours:-)

8--I was at my son's Special Olympics Torch Run today, when most were working, discussing strategy with my Team Leader! We really do have great tools----

7--I told my husband I needed a new laptop with tablet that would fit in my purse, so I could take it with me everywhere---and he bought it for me (I love you honey:-))!

6--Commission checks ROCK!

5--I get to go into the most fantastic homes, and NO ONE assumes I am burglerizing! And I'm not, so it's all good.

4--Did I mention that commission checks ROCK!

3--Passive income through referrals. Having a lazy week? No issues--refer away!

2--I can write off my mileage and gasoline expenses--for the most part! Love that!

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON----

1--I always have a reason to start talking to total strangers! And they always have something new to chat with me about! AND--I call that prospecting, and so does my Team Leader (does that mean I can write off my gym membership?)

But really, I do love what I do, and I hope it shows. As I have never known another type of market--this one is working for me, and successfully. So, I am joyful and it is good! Just thought I'd share. Now, check out my new One Team-Keller Williams First Coast fan page on Facebook and let me know your thoughts!

Respectfully---Christa

(who is watching the choir leader slowly lose her mind----too many kids, not enough parents)

Posted by Christa LaFarlette on 04/22/2009 06:34 PM

Comments (63)

real estate, top 10, nas jacksonville, jacksonville, facebook

Originally posted at: My New Outside Blog: Top 10 Things I Love About Real Estate!

This post has been included in Florida Information Duval County, FL Information

63 Comments on Top 10 Things I Love About Real Estate!

APR

I'm with you I totally love it-I love helping others find the perfect home. I love your answers. Thanks for sharing.

Christa. You've got the spirit. You should love ActiveRain. Lots of folks who absolutely love being in this business.

YEAH that is all great stuff and that is just some of the reasons I love to be in Real Estate.

Keep the momentum going

These are excellent answers. Way to go Christa!

who in the world would want a 9-5?

You summed up why I got into real estate.

This was great. I love it! The hours at times can get cumbersome!

What a great post, and nice to have something remind us why we still have it better than most people.

I'm with you on ALL of these. I also love all the great homes we get to see.

Real estate is a great business. So many things I think I could do a top twenty reasons easy

The timing of reading this is so funny. I am sitting on the couch at my daughter's house listening to Baby Einstein music play in the nursery. Ella and Emma (11 months old) are asleep and GMaw is working.

I completely agree. I can't think of a better job with a better schedule (most days, anyway!)

Being able to spend time with family can also be an advantage. I love working with families as well. Great post!

~~ Aloha, Lana

I love the flexibilty to balance personal and family life. Great post!

Christa - What a terrific list! Thanks for the dose of positivity today.

This is an absolutely amazing post!! We too feel this way about our jobs... if you can even call it that!

Good luck to you!!

PS... Commission Cheques do ROCK!!

I think the tablets my favorite of the day. I'm trying to talk my husband in to looking into one for me as I type.

Loved your post--it is nice to focus on the positive aspects of being a real estate agent, and there are many.

Love your positive attitude and humor. And, I love real estate too.

Christa - Great top ten list I especially like number 6. Keep up the good work.

Great list! Whenever I get disillusioned with this business I think of other jobs I *could* be doing instead - and none of them come close in terms of flexibility, freedom, time with kids... and commission checks ;-)

Christina: Love the Letterman count down... Of course the Commission check always rocks...

APR

LOL about the choir leader. Thanks for sharing your list. I have to agree on the total talking to strangers and hey it's business. I have to agree if you don't do it for the things you shared here well than you are in the wrong business

Interesting to note, that I actually went awol, (inactive) for 30 days. The fourth quarter, 2008 really got to me and I thought maybe a regular job would be better. After some humiliating interviews, (one in a break room while people were taking their breaks), suddenly real estate looked pretty good. I re-thought my business plan and in 1 day re-activated everything...with new wind beneath my wings..

Thank you Christa for an awesome reminder of why we do what we do....

Great post. I love that I get to share and receive insights like this on a daily basis.

Thanks for being such a positive voice for our industry and loving what we do.

I'm with ya!

I loe the flex hours and being able to spend time with my daughter. And those checks do rock!

Christa,

Great positive spirit! This is why so many love this job! You got it outlined in good order..and have found the right place to share your enthusiasm!

Christa, great post. I love the flexibility.

Christa, Great top ten list and you are so right. I love it too!

This, to me, is the nubmer one reason, "8--I was at my son's Special Olympics Torch Run today, when most were working, discussing strategy with my Team Leader! We really do have great tools"

More family time. :)

Awesome! The checks are great, but you are right...the ability to hang with the kiddos and still do business is pretty cool!!!

Add to the list.. Can work at home, with my dog at my feet, giving me that unconditional love...no matter what...gotta love RE.

Wonderful post! Real estate is a rewarding career choice - you can be all that you want to be.

Well said Christa ! Even during a tough market there are many reasons for us to love this job !

Hi Christa, Love the list and your attitude! I will check out the FB page. I love when every1 is happy and we get paid too!

Great Top Ten list. I also love the challenge of getting to YES for either/both sides. And I always try to learn something from my buyers and sellers. Thanks for the great post.

Christa, Great post, also a Great company to work for. Loved the list, and yes the commission check do 'Rock'.

you forgot one of my top reasons. You can tell people your keeping it real (estate) Check my voicemail for proof. (970) 231-0890

What a wonderful post!

We love all the dedicated people who find homes for others, who go out of their way to make deals, find creative solutions for all parties. It takes a special person to do all that and still have time for family and friends.

We appreciate what you all do. Thanks for posting your thoughts.

Alexandra Seigel, Napa Consultants

Wow. You've given a great list of all the great reasons why we are in Real Estate, and me another blog post topic....

Great list! I agree, I love what I do and am very thankful for such a wonderful career.

As our business gets even more mobile I would add No. 11-Being able to sit on the beach in Florida while selling a home in Oklahoma. Make this Rules 11-14 if this is December back at home.

Hi Christa -- I'm glad you are doing well and successful -- I wish you even more success in 2009.

Great post Christa! Technically, I think you can write off your gym membership (if you're prospecting/talking).

Thanks, Adri

Christa,

Flexibility is a big factor, so long as you are halfway disciplined and organized. It took me a while to get my arms around that aspect.

Christa: Very cute!

Thanks for all the positive comments! I get my messages on my phone and was grinning all day!

During swim lessons, and short sale negotiations; soccer practice, and putting a new listing in; true multi-tasking! Love it:-) Take care--and have a GREAT weekend! As for me and my clan--we have 4 listings to take, a play to watch, and some family time!!

Hi Christa;

Thanks for all the positive post, love your attitude and your list. Thank you!

APR

I can identify with most of these. but I think I need to go an make my own top 10 list and think about how really fortunate I am. Focus on the postive. Thanks for the post!

I have to totally agree with you on this one!!!!! I love this job-- it helps me to be a better MOM because I can totally be there for my children and still work. Thats AWESOME!!

Great post! Thanks for sharing!

Christa! You ROCK!

I loved reading your post. Sounds just like you.

It reminded me why I got into Real Estate in 2007. I've only known this market too and hope that it's teaching me patience.

Keep it up, girl!

I am fairly new to this world - 6 months and like the flex hours for the most part...

Sometimes, I find there is no off/down time... you can try and have dinner but need to respond to emails or calls.

Last week- the offer on a home had me out until midnight and it didn't come together!

But, yes, for the most part: flex time is great.

Christa, your post was great! Nice read on a Friday morning. Have a nice weekend.

I love it too. I think most Realtors are adrenaline junkies. I like being on the move and something new always going on.

Loved this post. commission checks rock and so does eating ice cream on the floor! (Feel sorry for the choir director..organizing a lot of small people is like trying to herd cats.)

All good reasons indeed. Flex time is the best for me. When I am not writing a deal I am do other tings I love to do.

I really enjoyed your top ten list. I love the real estate profession and think that the people I meet and get to help fulfill one of their dreams are great. Most of the time it doesn't even feel like work to me. I used to hear people say 'Find what you love to do and it will never feel like work' and I'd think they were a little nuts because work is work. I've been doing this since 2004 and the 5 yrs have flown by and now I understand what those people meant. I'm so lucky! Thanks for writing.

I love helping others find a home!

APR

And that is exactly why I choose to become an agent too! Good use of your time while waiting around.

APR

We can work as hard as we want to and be rewarded for it without limitations!

Yes, real estate offers flexibility like very few careers. Thanks for the top 10 post. Really enjoyed. At a tough time in real estate and a time when Realtors may not be held in the highest regard, seeing something positive about the real estate profession is a good thing. I encourage more of you in this field to keep hammering home a positive message in your communities, in your newspapers (ads, letters to the editor, etc.), with everyone you come in contact with, etc. It's an important time to remind people that there are many good aspects to the real estate field and that you love your chosen career. I, myself, am not a Realtor but have worked with agents with marketing, public relations, business writing, etc. for nearly 15 years and find most agents to be wonderful people. In my most recently completed project, I conducted phone interviews with agents in 44 states to get some of their "war" stories from being an agent. While on the phone, I got to know a little about each agent, his/her background, how the person entered real estate, how long in the field, etc. and it really reinforced what I already thought: Agents are an amazing group of people and this is not a career for everyone. Who in their right mind would want to have to work weekends and/or several evenings a week, all while not knowing what your salary will be at the end of the year?!!! Seriously though, I had a great time talking with agents, getting their funny, embarrassing or bizarre stories and compiling them into the just released book, All In A Day's Work for Real Estate Agents: Humorous & Heartwarming Stories (www.worklikeadogbooks.com). In the book, I, too, tried to let people know the many positives of the real estate profession. It's a book that celebrates Realtors and is for and about Realtors. Happy selling everyone!

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