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REALTORS DON'T GET SICK DAYS...

By Ken Tracy

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential

February 23, 2010 07:30 AM

"Ewwww," said my doctor as she looked at the back of my throat yesterday morning.

Swollen and filled with white spots, my throat certainly wasn't attractive. I had, however, expected a different response from my doctor.

"Yep. You've got strep," she concluded...

Strep throat sucks. I used to get it as a kid, but it has probably been 20 years since I have had it.

Today is day four of misery...

Realtors don't get sick days.

They don't. At least I dont.

Sure, you can sometimes coast a bit...

My marketing has come to a standstill. I haven't written a post on Active Rain or even chimed in on Facebook since I have been sick...

But the phone keeps ringing.

The emails keep coming.

New prospects calling on a listing. Old clients wanting to go see homes. Realtors calling for feedback. The activity keeps coming...

In my fifth year as a real estate agent, my business is just starting to generate the type of activity I expected long ago...

And now, due to some bacterial infection in my throat, I am cowering from the activity...

I just emailed a young couple I was supposed to show homes to tonight. I delayed as long as I could...

I asked to reschedule. I have never done that before...

Real estate sales is a series of ongoing conversations. The more conversations you have going on, the better...

My goal is to keep my end of the conversations going as quickly as possible. I like to be very quick...

When I am sick, I slow down...

My couple just emailed back. We have rescheduled for Saturday. There were 3 more homes they wanted to see anyway...

All's well that ends well.:)

Realtors don't get sick days...

Ken

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Ted Tyndall

Davidson Realty Inc. - Saint Augustine, FL

I will help You find the Home YOU want to Buy

Ken, it is tough feeling lousy when you have work to do. I have a partner and assistant but still feel lost if I can't be here.

Feb 24, 2010 05:32 AM

Karen Pannell

Real Living / Home Realty - Owensboro, KY

Owensboro KY Real Estate -270-903-2167 Homes, Cond

Ken, Hope you are feeling better. My favs for fast healing are Zicam (tabs), Airborne and sublingual vitamin D and B (www.Mercola.com). I do this everyday to keep my immune system strong. Hope you sell something this weekend! I also keep anitbacterial gel in my car and use it after showing each property.

Feb 24, 2010 05:51 AM

Linda Lohman

Fonville Morisey Realty - Cary, NC

Former Teacher/Broker

Ironic! I'm sitting at the Neurologist's office right now blogging on AR while my daughter gets an IV therapy for chronic migraines. I know when I get home I will need to do what I should be doing right now and can't because I'm needed here. Sick days?????

Feb 24, 2010 06:28 AM

Mary Weaver

Weaver Real Estate - Ruidoso, NM

Expertise & Knowledge in Ruidoso-Alto Real Estate

Ken, Wishing you a quick recovery. Glad to hear you are feeling well enough to "work from home", and handle calls and emails. Take care. Mary

Feb 24, 2010 07:53 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Mary, Linda, Karen, and Ted. Thanks for reading.

And again, everyone, thanks for all the well wishes!

I think the flip side of the Realtor's flex schedule is you have to be very available. I try to be.

Linda, hope your girl feels better.

I look forward to having enough business to begin hiring. Perhaps 2011?

Thanks again,

Ken

Feb 24, 2010 09:45 AM

Monique Ting

INET Realty Honolulu, HI - Honolulu, HI

Your agent under the sun

Try to team up with someone at the office who could help you with some tasks for the next couple of days. Make sure you rest & you'll be better in no time!

Feb 24, 2010 10:09 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Monique and Erica. Thanks for reading.

Now in day 6. Out of total misery. Still quite sick.

Have been resting, but having two little girls, rest does not come easy!

My next appointment is Saturday afternoon with an open house on Sunday.

I will be ready!:)

Thanks again,

Ken

Feb 25, 2010 01:48 AM

Jody Lautenbach

Century 21 Premier Associates - Pella, IA

I know the feeling - when I had my daughter - I was taking phone calls from work in the delivery room to reschedule appts and keep things moving. No 6 weeks off!

Feb 25, 2010 03:20 AM

John Walters

Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA

Licensed in Louisiana

Ken we don't get sick days but we are human. I hope you are feeling better.

Feb 25, 2010 11:48 AM

Coleen DeGroff

Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors - Gainesville, FL

Haile Plantation Real Estate - Gainesville FL

Ken - Realtors, like parents, don't ever get sick days. Hope you feel better soon!

Feb 25, 2010 12:50 PM

Jenny Kotulak

RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON

Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Holy smokes, am I late getting to this party. So getting sick gets you a feature lol. Suck it up. The ice cubes I mean, and your meds. I never get sick either. Oh does this broken ankle count??? Not a happy camper here.

Feb 25, 2010 01:22 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Jenny, Coleen, John and Jody. Thanks for reading.

Yes, getting sick gets you featured!

We are now in day 7. Recovering. Still haven't left my home since the Dr's office. But feeling better...

Appointments get started again tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Ken

Feb 26, 2010 12:54 AM

Abby Waltz

Homes for Heroes - Traverse City, MI

Ken~

Being sick completely sucks especially in the real estate biz. I remember a couple months ago I was out for a week AND my husband was deployed at the time as well....worst timing ever! You just have to take that one extra day to make sure you rest up and take care of yourself so that you can go full force with your clients!

Hope you're feeling better.

Abby

Feb 28, 2010 04:05 AM

Eric Lanspa

Town & Country Realtors - Sioux Falls, SD

I've used my current head cold (first in nearly a year) to catch up on some computer work and some HGTV. We need to know what our clients are seeing on television so this gave me the opportunity to do so.

Feb 28, 2010 02:37 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Abby and Eric. Thanks for reading.

HGTV would just make me sicker!:)

Abby, it is no good. I am in day 10 and still not 100%...

But certainly back to work!

Thanks again,

Ken

Mar 01, 2010 12:16 PM

Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

So true Ken! I am lucky as I rarely ever get sick. It is a real pain though when you do.

Mar 01, 2010 10:52 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Bill. You might be jinxing yourself!

Stay healthy...

Ken

Mar 03, 2010 12:40 PM

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

Ken

In the old days, you would answer the landline and if you were sick, people knew it. Nothing you can do it about it. Today, we have emaill and texting that allows business to keep moving forward. When I first discovered Tylenol, the big pay-off for me was that I could keep working and that this helped me do it. Sickness only slows me down, but it doesnt stop me. Just to balance out my statements, a few months ago several of my fellow office workers approached me when I was sick and said...we admire your commitments and your responsibilty but we would all like you to go home before we catch what you have. On that note, I was out voted and went home. Thanks for the memories Ken

Mar 26, 2010 05:31 AM

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers

Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ

Coldwell Banker Realty

Our office hours are 7am-3pm Monday through Friday, closed on weekends and holidays. We have a Buyer Agent Network Division available for working with buyers on their schedule. Works like a charm!

Jun 26, 2010 12:13 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Richie and Tony. Thanks for reading...

A few months later. My clients are safely tucked into there new home...

And I am feeling a whole lot better!

Thanks again,

Ken

Jun 26, 2010 02:21 PM