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Today My Dream of Being a Real Estate Agent Turns 17....

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Realty @ Home 0225076822

Today the dream of me being a real estate agent turned 17.  This is also the birthday of my oldest child, on February 25th, 1994 my life changed forever. At the time, I was in sales.  I sold food for a large distribution company.  When I became pregnant, the company started to act concerned about my ability to still sell, and I became more fiercely independent.  While pregnant I would think of other things I could do to make a living and still have a life.  I thought of real estate, but when I would speak of it with others, they would tell me I was crazy!

The thought of selling real estate still felt so right.  I could create my own schedule, I could work as much as I wanted and as hard as I wanted, and so I dreamed of this romantic job of real estate.  The day my child was born, I fell in love.  I knew then that while holding this little boy with the most amazing eyelashes that I would need a job more flexible than food sales so that I could spend time with the new love of my life. 

I immediately got to work on becoming a real estate agent, and I quit food sales.  The first year as a new mother and a new real estate agent was tough and challenging.  I worked very hard.  I did however, enjoy being a new mother and knew that I had made the correct decision for my family.

25 Months later I was blessed with the birth of my second son and once again I knew that being a mother and being a real estate agent was a great combination.  I worked full time at both real estate and motherhood and I believe in my heart that I do a great job of both.

It hasn't always been easy the balance between work and family.  My children now older often will say that all I do is work, and yes I do work long and hard hours. I know that I can create flexibility in my schedule that allows me to see soccer and baseball games.  I will be delivering cake and Dr. Pepper for Kyle and his classmates in the middle of the day today, because I can.  I know that if I was in traditional corporate America I would have to fight for time off in the middle of the day.  Yes, I am often working at 10 o'clock at night and at 6 am in the morning.  Yes, I often miss dinner because my showing didn't go as quickly as needed. Yes, I do often have to be out at night to list and sell. Yes, I can be a mother and a real estate agent!

Donna Paul
Keller Williams Realty Gold Coast - Dix Hills, NY
Long Island Home Specialist,All About Real Estate

Navona: I think that being a realtor give us the flexiable to be with our family. It really takes a lot to make sure that we spend time with them before they become a man. Congrats on your Birthday.

Feb 25, 2011 01:30 PM
Laura Forman
RE/MAX AEROSPACE REALTY www.LauraSellsBrevard.com - Melbourne, FL
Your Brevard Premier Property Specialist

Congratulations on your commitment and success.  I also have teenagers and it is tough to balance work and family.  Hope your family had a great day!

Feb 25, 2011 01:47 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Navona. I love this post. A celebration of life and family as well as the real estate business. Congratulations on this anniversary.

Feb 25, 2011 01:51 PM
Kaera Mims
Liz Moore & Associates - Fort Monroe, VA
Associate Broker, e-PRO, REALTOR; Hampton, Newport News, York Co.

AMEN SISTER!

I got my license in August 2006, had my son in May 2009 and my daughter in January 2011. They are all the best decisions I ever made :-)!

Feb 25, 2011 02:04 PM
Joelle Embres
jsellhomes@live.com - Parkland, FL
Re/Max Advisors

Hi Navona, Happy b-day to your son. My sons b-day was on the 15th.Time seems to move faster after you have kids... Don't you think ? I feel much the same way as you do about real estate and motherhood.. Have a great weekend!!

Feb 25, 2011 02:08 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

What a great tribute, Navona - it's obvious that you are where you should be.  I agree with everything you said - felt like I could have written those words myself.  Congratulations!

Feb 25, 2011 02:43 PM
Susanne Brown
RE/MAX Realty 9 - Howell, NJ
I work hard to make real estate dreams come true!
Navona this is a great story. I too decided that becoming a real state salesperson would allow me to find a better balance of work and family. I truly enjoy this business, even with all the ups and downs. It has allowed me the flexibility to attend my children's' games and awards ceremonies. It has allowed me to be a successful business person and a happy Mom too. Some who are not in this business think that it is easy. It is by now means easy but it is a real joy for me. I have met many great people too!
Feb 25, 2011 02:57 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Navona, I think my kids make me a btter agent. Congrats on your milestone! 

Feb 25, 2011 03:42 PM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate

Happy Birthday to your son and to your birthday in real estate. I love my flexibility aspect when it comes to my kids, I am able to volunteer here and there, get to the school during the day occasionally and help out with rides when my wife is strapped. Do I miss things, sure! but not nearly as much as I would otherwise.

Feb 25, 2011 04:49 PM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Navona:

Great story.  Congratulations for your 17 years in the business.

Feb 25, 2011 04:52 PM
Elliott S. Topkins
Topkins & Bevans-etopkins@topbev.com - Boston, MA
Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty

Navona--What a great story. i have been a real estate attorney in Massachusetts for forever.My wife of 26 years just started as a real estate salesperson. It has not been easy. If you have any thoughts on the early times, send her an email jtopkins@gmail.com

Keep up the good work

 

Feb 25, 2011 10:55 PM
Coral Gundlach
Compass - Arlington, VA
Real Lives. Not Just Real Estate.

Navona, Congratulations and Happy Birthday toy your son!  I, too, started after my first son was born - a very similar story.  I dreamed about it when I was working in advertising, a slave to my desk and so many other masters.  After he turned 1, I got my license and haven't looked back! Had boy #2 3 years later and feel as though I've finally mastered the juggle - and it is easier as they get older.  I am now mentoring a new agent with a 6 month old and am honored to do so.  It CAN be done, in spite of what so many people say.  There are many childless people in RE and people who waited until their kids were in college to do this.  

Feb 25, 2011 11:01 PM
Brian Sharkey
SharkeyRE LLC - Singer Island, FL
SharkeyRE

Congrats and happy birthday, what a nice story.  I wish you and your family the best.

Feb 25, 2011 11:13 PM
Navona Hart
Century 21 Realty @ Home - Farmville, VA
Selling the Best Properties in Central Virginia

 

Marge, balance is the key word

Jennifer I do love real estate thanks for checking in

Ivette, I do not know how you did 2 jobs

Virginia, good luck on reinventing yourself

Donna, spending time with the boys has always been important

Laura, finding balance with teenagers is tough

Lana, thanks for the nice words

Kaera--enjoy your little ones! 

Joelle, time does fly, makes me crazy

Melissa--so many moms out there!  We do have a common bond

Susanna-welcome to AR and thanks for commenting

J. Philip, my kids have the same effect on me, they don't know it but they do.

Steve & Evelyn, thanks for the well wishes

Elliot, I will send your wife an email!  Tell her to be on the look-out.

Carol, I knew I didn't want to be a "slave" too, There are a lot of women who have similar stories.

Brian, thanks for your well wishes.

Feb 26, 2011 12:09 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Navona, happy anniversary for your real estate career and happy birthday to your Son.

Feb 26, 2011 12:42 AM
Monica Foster
Monica Foster Team of eXp Realty - League City, TX
Broker, CRS, ABR, SRS, CHMS, CNE, CNHS

Navona,

Congrats on 17 years!!  That's fantastic!  I agree, it's well worth the sacrifice of some late evenings to have the flexibility to spend time with our families!  I am glad to read that my son isn't the only one that tells me I work all the time.  :)

Thanks for sharing!!

Feb 26, 2011 12:55 AM
Navona Hart
Century 21 Realty @ Home - Farmville, VA
Selling the Best Properties in Central Virginia

Nice to hear from you Michael.

Feb 26, 2011 01:40 AM
John Michailidis
Real Property Management of Sarasota & Manatee - Sarasota, FL
Real Property Management of Sarasota & M

Good blog post Navona. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Feb 26, 2011 04:14 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Navona, Congrats on your 17 years.  I judge how long I have been in sales by my childrens ages also.  My daughter is 29 and that is how long I have been in sales out of a home office. I started real estate sales when we moved here 14 years ago.

Feb 27, 2011 12:11 PM
Navona Hart
Century 21 Realty @ Home - Farmville, VA
Selling the Best Properties in Central Virginia

Monica I think all children of real estate agents say that.

Saramana, thanks for checking in.

Marchel, 29 years....excellent.

Feb 27, 2011 01:15 PM