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Digging My Own Grave: Becoming a Realtor Wasn't Easy

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential CT Realty

Real Estate Is DeadReal Estate Is Dead

That's basically what everyone was telling me when I entered the Milford CT real estate world in 2006. The skeptics were saying that I was going into real estate at the wrong time when I decided to change careers.

Of course becoming a Realtor wasn't easy. Sure, there was a lot of negativity surrounding my decision, but every career requires hard work. Though it may seem the odds are against us, real estate provides us with more freedom and potential than most jobs out there.

Also, there's no other feeling like helping someone find the home of their dreams :)

Goodbye Office Job

Yes, I was abandoning my office job of many years. However, I wanted to take that risk, as I knew I had it in me. Real estate is something people will always need.

With my son starting college at the time and barely being home (except of course to do his laundry and have a nice home cooked meal every once in a while), I felt this was a good time to take the plunge in Milford CT homes for sale.

All That Negativity Is Just Noise

What can I say? Misery loves company. I learned not to listen to all the naysayers, and instead go with my gut. While things aren't so hot right now, we all know this economic downturn is part of a cycle. The good times will be back eventually. We don't know exactly when, but we just need to keep working and surviving all this. If you can make a living for yourself in these times, then you might have found your calling.

This Is Why I Love ActiveRain

I love being part of a community full of people with positive, encouraging mindsets. We're here for a reason, as we love what we do, and we're sticking with it.

Did You Fight The Noise?

When you were just becoming a Realtor or decided to get into the real estate industry, did you face any negativity with your choice as well? Feel free to share some stories.

 

Lydia Lucas is your source for Milford CT Homes for Sale.
My Clients Become My Friends

Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Good for you, Lydia!  Some Realtors had gotten lazy when they just sat and waited for the phone to ring.  Others had simply forgotten the basics of building a database and marketing the heck out of themselves and following up on leads.  Newbies in the market just got in and got busy and had no bad habits to break, so some of them have been more successful than others with many years of experience.  Attitude plays a big part too.

Mar 03, 2011 10:02 AM
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

I started in 2005 and had the same experience with everyone telling me I couldn't do it. When I opened my own company in 2008 I was told it would never fly in this economy. Those people will always spend their day looking for the bad in everything. I try and avoid those guys and just keep making them wrong.

Mar 03, 2011 10:27 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Lydia, I've been in Real Estate for many years. When the market started going down I invested in my education. That's when I learned about Social Networking and Active Rain. I knew that if I didn't learn it while things were slow, that I wouldn't have time later when the market picked back up.

Mar 04, 2011 05:56 AM
Lydia Lucas
Prudential CT Realty - Milford, CT

Susan - yes, attitude is very important. I actually wrote about that in today's post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2171064/mindset

Randy - now that's awesome! I'm glad to hear that you started your own company and things seem to be fine. Just gotta keep doing your thing :)

Connie - exactly. Real estate is constantly changing, so now's the right time to keep up with the technology side. Once things pick up, we'll be prepared.

Mar 04, 2011 03:54 PM