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Most Days I Feel More Like a Social Worker Than a Realtor…

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Buyers' Choice Realty

 

 

With the dramatic shift in our Market over the past few years, Realtors who have survived the arid business landscape, have adapted by increasingly morphing their job descriptions in ways never before anticipated.

 

Most of us didn’t know what a short sale was only a few years ago.  A foreclosure was one of those terrible things that happened to other people when they made bad decisions.  A transaction could be put together in a matter of two to four weeks.  As a Realtor, you had only two parties you were dealing with: The Buyer and The Seller.

 

My, how times have changed!  Those of you who are still standing, know exactly what I mean…   My days are full to the brim.  What used to take 10 steps now takes 200.  I have learnt to contort every which way in order to garner these deals and get them closed.  My success rate is great and I keep getting busier. 

 

In the days of “order takers” everyone with a license and connections was making money “selling” Real Estate.  This “Performance Based Market” as I like to call it, has left those people in the dust.  My leads hear about me from neighbors and friends I have helped.  They all have sad stories to tell: they are grappling with crippling financial hardship and don’t know what to do next. 


After two hours on the phone with me one evening last week, one such lead sent me a lovely note the next morning:

“Just wanted to thank you for taking the time last night with me.  I slept through the night for the first time in months.  You have renewed my hope to get out of this, but you have also renewed my faith in people.  I now am going to put it in your hands and do a lot of praying.  Anything you need from me, please call.”

 

I realize that I have the opportunity to do a lot of good in a market such as ours; we all do.  This is the kind of market that leads to greatness.  Staying on top of information (the rules change almost daily, don’t they?), developing systems, consistently and constantly educating yourself, networking, supporting each other, evolving together… 

 

Yes, I do take home my clients’ burdens.  Yes, I do delve into their scenarios looking for answers.  Yes, I leave no stone unturned.  In the end, the impetus garnered from wanting to help them is forging me into a better agent.  When I close a deal and relieve a client of their financial burden, I feel lighter right along with them.  I feel their joy; I feel their relief.  It is a wonderful accomplishment and it seeps deeply into my heart, making me feel good, for I know that I have made the World just a little bit better.  

 

If you are working this market, I know that you have stories to tell; please share them with us!

 

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection              Join The Optimist Group!

 

 

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Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

There:  I said it! 

I look forward to hearing from you!  I know that I'm not the only one...

Please share YOUR story!

Sep 11, 2009 05:12 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Most days? I sure hope not.

I've counseled clients that I dont feel are ready to purchase homes. In the end, it turned out better for them.

I've counseled clients who wants a relationship breakup/ divorce in the middle of a transaction. In the end, it was getting their priorities and communication straight.

Does all these count as social worker work?

Sep 11, 2009 05:19 PM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Mirela,

After most closing I feel such joy for the buyers and sellers, but yes, we are all worn out after the process.  Low appraisals, underwriting delays, and a hundred other things are going on in the market, it's just unbelievable.

The problem solvers will survive this market.  The others will not.

Sep 11, 2009 05:33 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Mirela... I have been a Shot Sale Specialist for over 5 years now.  I would feel uncomfortable sharing specifics of my clients' personal stories, but I will never forget the clients I had who cried at the closing table and thanked G-d for send me to them to help them "navigate the troubled waters of their lives".  Many of my early short sale clients were the most corrageous people who were losing their homes due to catostrophic medical bills that had robbed them of their life's savings.  To see people going through chemothrapy and having to pack their homes while they recover is a genuinely sobering and unforgetable experience.  These are the kind of experiences that make me want to get up every morning and make a difference in people's lives.

Sep 11, 2009 05:46 PM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

God bless you Steve!  If I have someone who needs to sell a property in Dallas, it will be an honor and a privilege to refer them to you! 

I can not imagine the scenario you've just presented; it is sobering indeed!  We don't realize just how lucky we really are...

Sep 11, 2009 05:59 PM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Linda:  You are absolutely right:

The problem solvers will survive this market.  The others will not.

Loreena:  Divorce situations require even more than a social worker...  some can be downright nasty...

Sep 11, 2009 06:03 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Mirela

I've had good success with the short sales that I have handled --- and by the way, ALL of them found me through the internet.

The only one that I couldn't close is one that I wish I could have . I really wanted to help this retired teacher who relocated to take part time teaching position, and had to sell his condo in a down market.

Unfortunately, he had two loans on it, and the junior lien holder is WAMU. We had no trouble getting multiple offers and a strong buyer. We waited for months for an approval ---- and the buyer was as patient as he can be. But 2nd lender WAMU wanted $16K to approve the short sale for this condo with an offer of $275k. If my client had that kind of money, he wouldn't be doing a short sale! No amount of negotiation would sway the WAMU person.

So when it foreclosed --- at you guessed it, $275k.

I stay in touch with the teacher....he knows we gave it our best shot. He's trying to keep his head above the water and not file for bankruptcy. In our communications, he sounds ever hopeful. He knows he has a friend in me.

But my heart is heavy I couldn't help. My mom was a teacher, too. So this sense of loss is very personal.

 

Sep 11, 2009 06:50 PM
Marcia Hawken
WILLIAM RAVEIS - Naples, FL
Naples Luxury Specialist

Many times, the most difficult clients become your new BF because you have been able to turn them around.  I have had psychiatrists flip out over the stress, the most savey CEO need coaching on a HUD and everything in between.  It is the ones we counsel we remember the most. :)

Sep 11, 2009 09:28 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Mirela,

I am so glad my niche is new homes and the builders I represent are doing great.  I handle a few short sales and represented a few buyers in foreclosure but overall I have avoided this stress. 

Sep 11, 2009 11:39 PM
Judy Jennings
Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA
Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Mirela,

I have had many clients lately that have had one challenge or another and I tend to be a very good listener. Some days, it wears heavy on your soul. However, if there is that one little shimmer of hope that something can be worked out then it is well worth the extra mile(s) it takes to get it done. 

Sep 12, 2009 12:25 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Mirela,

Not every market is as down as yours but all markets are weeding out the agents who will not take the time to listen and give the client the most current information to navigate the turmoil. Everyone is uneasy with the current economic environment and their fears have frozen many in terms of making rational decisions. Many times we are acting as their therapist and do take home our client's burdens. But the overwhelming need to "do the right thing" will get us through this chapter in history I hope we don't repeat!

Sep 12, 2009 12:43 AM
Dominick Dina, MA, REALTOR®
Christian Realty San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
GRI, e-PRO, TAHS, SFR, Notary Public

Mirela,

So very well stated...excellent.  We do need to share our knowledge and experience with folks because it IS what we do.

The current market situation will help to cull the herd of real estate agents just in the business for a quick buck.

Dominick

Sep 12, 2009 01:08 AM
Kenneth Bargers
Prudential Woodmont Realty - Nashville, TN

Mirela - This is a very nice post and I related to your message in many ways.  I returned to real estate in an effort to assist people move forward whether in relief of a burden or the joy and excitement of a new beginning.  A quality Realtor can strike the right balance during the real estate process to earn the trust of the client.  This past January, I had a client that reminded me why I put forth the efforts that I do during these economic hardships for many.  I sold a home for an elderly lady that needed to sell her home in order to help her family financially as she resided in assisted living.  The emotions after the closing were overwhelming for all as I had a small part in making their lives better.  All the best.

Sep 12, 2009 01:35 AM
Tom Boos
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

These days our jobs do entail much more "social work" and "psychology" than in years past.  I have noticed that I'm doing much more hand-holding than I use to.  Our profession has changed dramatically in light of our new economic realities.  Thanks for a fine post.

Sep 12, 2009 01:59 AM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Mirela, I could not have said it better.  This certainly has been a year for the books!  I've reinvented our business over and over, thanks for verbalizing this so well!

Sep 12, 2009 07:38 AM
Jordan Muela
Manage My Property - Austin, TX
Manage My Property

Wow, sounds like an underappreciated aspect of your line of work. Thanks for sharing.

Sep 13, 2009 07:29 AM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Jordan:  Not at all.  I don't know why you think so.  I made it perfectly clear how much I enjoy being able to help in these tough situations; it makes my life significant.

Sep 13, 2009 08:01 AM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Lisa:  Thank you!  I appreciate it!

Also thank you for re-blogging!

 

 

Sep 13, 2009 08:02 AM
Jean Terry
Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg, S.C. - Spartanburg, SC

Mirela, I feel the same so many times....I spent 8 days in your area last week, and it was just great.

Sep 15, 2009 03:00 PM