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Who Told You That This Business Was Going To Be A Cake Walk?

By
Real Estate Agent with The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services 13253167-SA00

Real Estate Agents! Are you running a real estate business or are you acting like a disgruntled employee complaining about how hard you have to work and how bad the other agents are and so on and so forth?

Real estate agent coachingThere are so many posts about how HARD your work is, how hard it is to deal with short sales, how hard it is to deal with REOs and the agents all involved in these transactions. Get over it!

Who told you that this business was going to be a cake walk? This post is straight to the point so if your feelings get hurt easily or the truth is hard to bear than maybe pass on this post.

What made you decide to get into this business of real estate? Did you think you were going to become a millionaire overnight or did you get into this business to become a public servant to work for free and get stepped on by your clients or did you get into this business in order to be a true entrepreneur with a free spirited approach to accepting a challenge and bringing home profits at the end of the day?

I read about how agents are avoiding short sales because they take too long to get closed and they are hard work. No crap Sherlocke! Try selling houses when interest rates were 21% and no one could get a loan! When I was first going for my real estate license all my friends and family told me I was crazy because no one could make a living during the highest inflation ever in our country. I said, WATCH ME! Give me a challenge any day.The typical closing took 90 to 120 days because there were no faxes, no cell phones, no pc's. If you were buying a house you had to wait until the bank had their committee meetings and had your file up for review in that meeting. There was no desktop underwriting!

Then there are the agents who are complaining about how tough their business is these days, how bad the market is. The market is what you make of it. There is either a cup half empty or half full- your choice! Who said it was supposed to be easy? Who said it was supposed to be fair? You buckle down and get to work.

 

Now we are reading about agents who want the legislature to step in and change things. They want the government to come in and save the day to make their business easier. Be careful what you wish for. When has the government ever made things easier for small businesses? You own a business. Government is not here to help you. Are we so used to being a nanny state that now they have to come and regulate how to do an REO to make your life easier? Get down and get to work. Learn how you can make a difference. Be the shining example that shows you can figure out how to run your business in spite of the obstacles and without big brother telling you the rules and how to do things.

Get your big girl and boy panties on! It takes thinking work not stinkin' work.

Earning profits in this market are abundantly around you all you have to do is open your eyes. But you can't see the forest for the trees if you are moping around, complaining and speaking ill of your counter parts and competition. Instead of bitching about the banks and their stupid policies, figure out a way to work around them. Look for the solution. Seek the solution. Find the solution. Fight the good fight so you can sleep at night. Accept the challenge or crumble in defeat- your choice.

Challenges and obstacles are what can either make you or break you. Your choice. Figure out a way to shine in all the mess.  Find a way to serve and then go the 110%. Don't stop halfway crying because you got your knees scraped in the race to the finish line. If you can not do that, then maybe you are not cut out for this business. And that is OK too!

 

 

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Who Told You That This Business Was Going To Be A Cake Walk? by Coach Katerina Gasset is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License



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In real estate we service Utah County, Salt Lake County, Wasatch County, Tooele County. This includes many towns and cities. Some of which are: Provo, Orem, Salt Lake City, Draper, Springville, Spanish Fork, Payson, Lehi, American Fork, Vineyard, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Pleasant Grove, and more. 

Katerina Gasset is a real estate agent who is also a digital marketing strategist, website designer and consultant for real estate brokerages, agents, entrepreneurs and small business owners. She is also the owner of Get It Done For Me Virtual Services. 

Katerina is a Certified AI Marketing Specialist. She can help you with ChatGPT, Content at Scale, Neuronwriter, prompting, and many other AI tools. 

She develops products and online courses to empower real estate agents to reach their marketing, SEO, social media and branding goals. Katerina Gasset is a blogger, author, podcaster, and keynote speaker.  

Text Katerina with your name + number to work with her:

 561-502-1577 

 

 

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Comments(100)

Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Diane- I like Bill Harris' quote. That is the key to The Secret- find a way to add value. Many people thought that the secret meant to sit on the coach waiting for the genie to arrive:) IT does not work that way in life. Katerina

Sep 24, 2009 07:00 AM
Steve Combs
Cornerstone Home Lending Inc - California, MD
Custom Mortgage Planning ...For Life!

We're all in the business of helping people.  Selling homes, writing loans or preparing title documents are just a means to an end.  Raving Fans is a great book to read.  I recommend it.  Great post!  Thank you.

Sep 24, 2009 07:14 AM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Kat,

Anyone who thinks this business is easy all the time has another thing coming...this isn't for the one shot wonders....its a job that takes time to develop and with a little bit of luck and of course skill and perseverance....you can make it whatever you want it to be...you are what you eat.....and short sales aren't easy...I think many agents get too overwhelmed when they find out that they have to be really patient...continue to push and get used to the aggravation because let's face it...most banks frustrate us...sometimes I think they purposely try to sabotage the deal with all their excuses but you have to either be in it for the long haul or get your a-s out of the game.

Sep 24, 2009 08:48 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Katerina -- SUPER post!  I'm with you.  'The market is what you make of it.'  Adapt, get educated, work hard, don't complain, get the job done, and be the best you can be.  Add a positive attitude and you'll be successful. 

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle

Sep 24, 2009 09:53 AM
Angelia Garcia
Pure Realtors - Dallas, TX

did somebody say "cake", I have a sweet tooth right now.

Sep 24, 2009 11:01 AM
Eric Middleton
Closer Look Property Inspections Inc. - Uniondale, NY
Professional Property Inspector

Hey Nestor & Katerina,

Awesome post! Everything you wrote is true and I can really appreciate it. There's nothing to add. We must simply get to work and focus.

Sep 24, 2009 02:17 PM
Jeremy Williams
Red Hawk Coaching - Kingwood, TX
Business Coach, Husband, Father, and Dog Wrangler

Nestor and Katerina,

So true. Tell the winers to get out of the way and leave the business to those that take their profession seriously.  This job takes work and perseverance.

Jeremy Williams
Keller Williams Realty NE
Kingwood, TX
www.williams4yourhome.com

 

Sep 24, 2009 02:49 PM
Celeste Chism - Serving You in Crossville, Fairfield Glade, Lake Tansi & Cumberland Cove
Legacy Realty - Crossville, TN
Serving You is My Top Priority

This business is for people who want to work hard and not for those who think they are going to sit behind a desk and look pretty and get rich. Great post and so true.

Sep 24, 2009 02:54 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I had a bit of a bit party for a few months after the market shifted not long after my second son was born.

Then, I decided I didn't have the time or the aptitude for the pity party, shifted my focus and moved on to other things.

It's been working pretty darn well.

Sep 24, 2009 04:38 PM
Alma Fernandez
DRE 01236358 Keller Williams - Northridge, CA

Where else can you get a license and turn a profit in approximately 30 days?  You're absolutely right.  This business is what you make it.  If you're willing to do what the majority of realtors are not, you will be a successful realtor.  Great post!  Someone needed to say it.

Sep 24, 2009 04:42 PM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Katerina

I too remember when I was going for my license  (1979 and interest rates were 21%- new homes were selling for $55K in NJ back then to offset the high cost of interest.  Comparing those times to these times this market isn't bad by comparison.

You are so right about the absence of technology back then. No fax, no Internet, just face to face and phone.

 The bottom line is, if you do not give it 110% you won't last.

Sep 24, 2009 07:38 PM
Dave Humphrey, Broker
RE/MAX Marketplace - Celebration, FL
Real Estate Advice You Can TRUST!

So very true. I am past retirement age, and have held many high profile jobs. This one is hard, but I can honestly say I am having as much fun as I have ever had in my long career. I'm glad I chose real estate as my last professional stop on life's railroad tracks.

Sep 25, 2009 12:13 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Katerina...  mamma said...  lol  Sorry, it was in an Adam Sandler movie, The Water Boy...  but in any case, I think many realtors and loan offices jumped in when the pickings were good... around 2003 to 2005...  or we have those that have a spouse that can support them...  etc, etc.  Overall, yes, we made the decision to do this and to stay in this economy.  Yes, it is tougher than ever before. Sure you are doing better than some years... I had one of my best years last year... one of my worst this year, in 17 years.  But it goes back to the fundamentals. Applying yourself, looking for new avenues of business... becoming an expert in a specific field or your industry, such as you did with short sales. I have closed 2 that you and Nestor have been a part of, and they went smoothly.  But Nestor has to be on top of them... it is a lot of work. If things were so easy, I would have 5 houses around the world... taking trips weekly, and wouldn't have a worry in the world... lol  In any case, those that have glasses half empty... just give me what they have left. You just need to work it... think smart... and work smart.  Sounds easy, right?  lol 

Jeff Belonger

Sep 25, 2009 01:49 AM
Heather Fitzgerald
REALTY WORLD-Harbert Company, Inc. - Greenwood, IN
REALTOR Greenwood Indiana Real Estate

Very well said as always Katerina.  You hit it on the head as usual!

Sep 25, 2009 03:47 PM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

The old saw applies:  Be thankful for the problems associated with your job:  They account for 80% of your income.  If it were not for those problems, someone could be found to do your job for 20% of what you make.

 

Eugene-Springfield, OR:

1982:    1500 agents,    1500 listings

1983:      400 agents, 10,000 listings.

 

Don't wish for the real estate "good old days".  These are the good old days.

2004-2006 will never be repeated.

I hope.

Sep 25, 2009 09:22 PM
Dick and Dixie Sells
Sells Real Estate, LLC - Trinity, FL
Realtors, Tampa Bay Florida Homes For Sale

I remember the 21% interest as well. 14% was an excellent rate. And Yes we did sell houses! Now I keep on saying: " When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" There will always be room in this business for agents that can do an excellent job for their clients. This I believe. This is a market where the consumers NEED the expertise of an agent that understands their chosen profession.

Sep 25, 2009 11:01 PM
Kim Peasley-Parker
AgentOwned Realty, Heritage Group, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Great post Katerina.  I haven't been on AR regularly and I can tell because of all the negativity I am hearing.  Your post reminds me where I need to come for interaction with other agents.  Thanks for the great reminder. 

Sep 27, 2009 02:57 AM
Kathleen Frawley
Keller Williams 916 730-4404 Elk Grove, Wilton, Folsom, Sacramento - Wilton, CA
South County Sacramento, 916 730 4404

OK I didn't take time to read comments, but I LOVE your attitude.  Real estate is like motherhood.  It is hard, it takes everything you are, and It is delightful and rewarding. (not a walk in the park) 100% worth it!

When my son scrapes his knee, I always say "oh I'm sorry, It's a good thing you are strong and brave"  I hardly ever get tears.   Maybe that would work for whiney agents too?

Sep 27, 2009 02:08 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

katerina - It's not that I have been avoiding short sales, but I haven't been proactively pursuing short sales, or lender owned transactions either.  I know that they are making up at least 40-47% of the total sales in our area.

Sep 27, 2009 02:14 PM
Kathryn Gorham
Green Key Realty - Emerald Isle, NC
Emerald Isle NC Crystal Coast

Woo Hoo! This is the new market - wake up and start playing! 

Sep 29, 2009 01:48 PM