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3 Days in the Life of a Realtor

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

I love this job! Admittedly, selling residential real estate isn't right for everyone. Hours are long, days off are few and far between, and there are no steady paychecks. The emotional ups and downs can be huge.

But when it's right, it is so very right! If you have the passion, you find opportunities where you least expect them.

Take my last 3 days, for instance:

Friday: My colleague, Chris Hansen, and I met in San Francisco for a day of hiking, brainstorming, sharing what each has learned in recent seminars. It was a day only a Realtor can appreciate--imagine the two of us on our cell phones, putting out those last minute fires before we started our hike. And lunch, sitting on a bluff overlooking the ocean, each returning phone calls, texting clients and colleagues. Then, saying our good-byes around 4:30, and once again whipping out the phones to take care of the last details of the day. And the great thing was, it didn't spoil our day at all!

Golden Gate Bridge in light fog


Saturday:

  • A pre-listing appointment with a potential new client, needing to sell her mother's 1.2M condo--this was the result of one of those Friday calls!
  • An appointment with a wonderful young couple ready to buy their first home. He is a friend from yoga classes some years ago; we've stayed in touch via Facebook primarily, and he reads my blogs.
  • A telephone call from past clients sharing their dream of finding a rural spot with simple cabin, within an hour's drive from their home, where their grandchildren could have the freedom of running and playing freely, without being confined in a small suburban yard.

Sunday: Who knows exactly what tomorrow will bring, but one thing I do know -- my planned hike will now be taken at Portola State Park, next to which is a rugged piece of land with house that just might work for my client. Accessible only via 4-wheel drive, we'll hike in to check the lay of the land and preview the property before enjoying the "day off."

I love this job! (especially these last 3 days.)

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Troy, work/life balance is a huge issue for me. I know I'm a much more effective Realtor when I'm in the right zone. Thanks for your comment.

Apr 24, 2010 06:21 PM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Lottie: Isn't Sunday supposed to be day of rest? Sounds like you are really getting the job done!

Apr 25, 2010 01:32 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Melissa - yes, indeed. My hobby is hiking, and my husband and I are taking our weekly hike today, so what could be better than to hike in the state park that abuts a possible weekend retreat property for a client. Sometimes work isn't really work!

Apr 25, 2010 01:39 AM
Manny Gonzalez
Negotiable Realty LLC - Chicago, IL

That's what I'm talking about!!!!   Work Smart, not Hard!!!!

Apr 25, 2010 02:14 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

You're right, Manny! Thanks for your comment.

Apr 25, 2010 02:24 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Lottie....that was a great post.....there's just too much negative about our business today.....you are successful because you know how to work the real estate business and not have it work you.

Apr 25, 2010 02:40 AM
Jenna Dixon
Momentum Real Estate Group LLC - Marietta, GA
55 & Over | New Constructions | Horse Farms

Sounds like a fun 3 days.

Apr 25, 2010 02:49 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I do combine business and pleasure.  I work a lot on weekends, but I also have free time during the week.  It works out.

Apr 25, 2010 04:21 AM
Gary Pike
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Powder Springs, GA
It is great what this business offers us. Thanks for a great post on how special this industry is.
Apr 25, 2010 05:59 AM
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Natick, MA
Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective
Good thing you've got good cell phone coverage!
Apr 25, 2010 06:57 AM
Coleen DeGroff
Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors - Gainesville, FL
Haile Plantation Real Estate - Gainesville FL

Hi Lottie - Sounds like you're having a streak of joy in your business right now.....take it where you can find it, baby!  Congrats to you....I am VERY jealous! :)

Apr 25, 2010 07:12 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Sounds like a great balance. That's the main thing! And the activity keeps us all young and alive! When things are slow is when I get frustrated.

Apr 25, 2010 01:36 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Lottie,

What a wonderful three days.  I'm with you.. there is no other career out there that I want to change to.. It took me a while to get to this one.  I have found that some of the best things in life come in the twilight of my youth.

Apr 25, 2010 01:49 PM
Tad Navle
RSVP Real Estate - Bonney Lake, WA

I worked in a box (retail) for 20 years.  I wouldn't ever give up the freedom of being a real estate agent for that again.  Loved your post -  The ability to mix life with work - one of my favorite things about this adventure

Apr 25, 2010 04:47 PM
Cari Anderson
Danville, CA

Lottie: those of us who've been in real estate (loans for me) are just used to that kind of professional existence. I think it would be difficult to go back to an 8-5. My husband just switched from loans to realty and he's realizing that it is more demanding on the weekends that loans are typically but as I said, once you're in that kind of life you wouldn't have it any other way. As Gene says above, you find your free time when you can and it works out.

Apr 26, 2010 11:06 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Barbara, thanks for your nice comments. They are especially appreciated since you are someone I admire!

Jenna, they were 3 great days -- long ones, but fulfilling

Gene and Tad--I think combining business with pleasure is what keeps us sane. We work long hours, so we better like 'em!

Hi Gary--thanks for commenting. We are, indeed, in a unique industry.

Weichert Realty--yep, cell phones enable us to multi-task more efficiently. I've been known to change a hike locale because I need to have reception.

Coleen, your streak will come--most likely when you least expect it.

Karen, I'm completely with you -- the slow times are the hardest

Judi--we seem to have lots of parallels in our lives. I too waited many years before becoming a Realtor. Maybe that adds to the joy of it all.

Cari, carving out free time is super-important to staying fresh and enthused. I could never to an 8-5 job either.

Apr 26, 2010 01:47 PM
Carrie Sampron
Home Smart Realty Group - Highlands Ranch, CO
ABR SFR & Kathy Sampron (303) 931-3629 Highlands R

Congrats Lottie! What a nice three days.

Apr 27, 2010 09:36 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Carrie -- they were an awesome 3 days, which I enjoyed to the fullest! Wishing you the same.

Apr 28, 2010 02:30 AM
Sonja Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

It doesn't feel like work when you love what you do!

May 26, 2010 06:00 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Sonja - I agree with you completely! When the fit is right, it is oh, so right.

May 27, 2010 03:39 AM