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When it rains, it pours.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Home Experts

Real Estate can be a humbling profession. It's an emotional roller-coaster ride similar to a game-winning homerun negated by a 5 run top of the 9th comeback by your favorite team, or an interception at the opponents 5 yard line after it looked like a score and an inevitable win.

One week an agent can go from having a handful of listings that seem destined not to sell, to having acceptable contracts on all. The following week that same agent can have all those deals fall apart for a variety of reasons, ranging from low appraised values to numerous defects found in a home inspection, or simply one party waking up one morning and deciding never to be heard from again.

Add to the drama short sale approvals, job losses, a foreclosure moratorium, and one may wonder why we as professionals stay in the game? I have to admit, like many agents, I think about this often (though usually when hitting the valleys and not so much during the peaks). And every time I start to get down, I'll read some blogs, peruse real estate articles, watch HGTV (yes, I know, I'm not proud of that) and get motivated to work harder and rise above the lows.

One of my agents was going through something similar, and like any .300 hitter he stuck it out, kept to the basics, and ripped off consecutive closings. After his 3rd in a span of a few weeks, he confidently boasted that he closed this cash deal in 2 weeks! He simply smiled and said, "where else can I walk into the office and in less than 2 weeks get paid thousands of dollars"? While I preach consistency and having a plan, I am a realist and I know things don't always go as planned. So I realized, just try and enjoy the ride and good things always seem to come.

Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365
Frankly Real Estate Inc. - Manchester, MD
Specializing in Carroll Co., MD

John ~ The peaks and valleys are extremely hard to deal with. Hang in there, you are not alone!

Nov 29, 2010 04:06 PM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

John this is a great story...a reminder that we begin our careers anew each and every day.

Nov 29, 2010 04:13 PM
Terry Thorpe
Horizon Realty International - Siesta Key, FL

Good read. Thanks

Nov 29, 2010 04:14 PM
Todd & Devona Garrigus
Garrigus Real Estate - Beaumont, CA
Broker / REALTORS®

John - Oh boy, do those valleys get you! Sometimes I also wonder why we stay in the game, and HOW we stay in the game! But we do, right?!

Nov 29, 2010 04:44 PM
Jessica Leimback
Agave Homes & Investments - Mesa, AZ
Broker,SFR,CNE,CSSPE

I had a rough year. in 2008. I was so close to just leaving. We all know it picked up in 2009 and we were off to the races. I hope you have all the success you can handle in 2011.

Nov 29, 2010 05:26 PM
Maureen Fukumoto
Help-U-Sell Realty Pro - Mililani, HI
Maureen

I've been in Real Estate for 23 years and have seen many peaks and valleys. Each valley you survive makes you stronger and more confident.

Nov 29, 2010 07:32 PM
Anonymous
Ricardo
Great blog John. There is no a good victory without a couple of fails as a history. Keeping the big picture of where we want to be tomorrow gives us the strength to stand up when we fall.
Dec 02, 2010 04:20 PM
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