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How 'Full' Is the Full Service Real Estate Agent?

By
Real Estate Agent with REMAX Champions

Alfred the butlerThere are a myriad of ways to approach a career selling real estate. Many have the perception that it's a sales job. It is not. It's a service job. Some don't understand the different or are bound by different motivations but in either case, the best Louisville Realtors serve their clients.

I've told this to clients, "Think of me as your real estate butler."

The reason I bring this up because I was wondering the other day if it's possible to be too service oriented? Is every request (or command) made by my clients one that I should automatically merely jump to and perform?

Real estate can be a demanding tyrant. There are no posted hours, only what you deem to be appropriate. I work about 55-60 hours most weeks, some even more. My phone rings after 7pm regularly and after 9pm from time to time. Weekends are the primary playing field for scheduling showings and Open Houses. I don't even have a day off! That's certainly full service, in my book.

So with all those demands, along with faith, family and friends, how do you keep your life in balance? It's not an easy question nor one with a clear answer but I do believe there must be lines designed at the outset to maintain clear demarcation between "work" and your personal life.

If you don't and the client pool runs you ragged, you'll soon start to see them as the enemy... and that doesn't help them, or you.

Comments (62)

Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886
Some clients require ALOT more care @ feeding than others!
Jun 20, 2011 05:32 AM
Judi Monday
RE/MAX Valley Properties - Green Valley, AZ
CRS-Green Valley AZ Expert, Green Valley Arizona R

I really think it boils down to running your business or letting it run you.  It took me about a year before I realized this was a business that could chew me up and spit me out if I let it and my clients do so.  Today I try to set aside 2 days pers week at home--that's not to say I don't work during those days because I do but it is on my pace and away from the office it gives me a much needed breather.  It's all about balance and in this business that is an important lesson to learn sooner rather than later. 

 

 

Jun 20, 2011 05:50 AM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Tre, 

Good food for thought in the post and comments.  I offer full service real estate services.  That said, I do set boundries, as you can work too many hours or days in a row and it doens't help anyone.  

Find time for you and your family - that allows me to help my clients the best - boundaries.  Katarina said it well in #2 comment.  

All the best, Michelle

Jun 20, 2011 06:02 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

First, I see nothing wrong with working 50 or 60 hours a week - but 24-7 isn't good. You should listen to all these agents and make sure you take some time for yourself and your family.

Go back and re-read comment #2 - and see how setting boundaries can actually help you increase your income.

Your business will be better, and your family life will be better. Remember, kids need a relaxed and happy Dad more than they need 16 new shirts or the most expensive pair of shoes.

As for late night calls - unless you've told them that you're up and want to talk - that's just rude. Do you really want to work with people who have so little respect for you?

Jun 20, 2011 06:09 AM
Ruby Lee Sweeting
Darville Wong Associates Realty Bahamas
Your Bahamas Agent for Relocations & Second Homes

Tre you raise a very valid question; I'm one of those persons who need to be reminded often of the need for balance - I tend to be somewhat of a work-aholic and despite the fact that real estate affords that much desired flexibility, I just cant seem to say 'OK. let it wait for tomorrow.  Thanks so much.

Jun 20, 2011 06:13 AM
Ilan Bracha
Keller Williams NYC - Manhattan, NY
KW NYC/The Bracha Group, Manhattan

Tre, I wrote a blog about this very thing--keeping balance between work and how important it is for downtime as well.  If we don't stop to "smell the roses" every once in awhile, we can't function efficiently for our clients or family and friends.  Nice post and thanks for bringing up an issue that affects us all!

Jun 20, 2011 06:30 AM
Marshall Brown
Mid America Inspection Services, LLC - Fargo, ND
BSEE, CHI

In some ways the difference between a sales job and a service profession is who directly benefits from your efforts.

In a sales job the question is not "Does this person need another pairs of shorts?", it is "Can I sell this person another pair of shorts."

Acting as an agent for the person one starts with the actual need and profits by helping them satisfy that need in the manner best for them.

IMHO

Jun 20, 2011 06:32 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

You beat me to it.  I was thinking of writing a blog about this too.  One specifically geared to buyers and the demands they place on us in a bad market.  I've had buyers in particular behave outlandishly - chugging down 4-5 tanks of gasoline - wanting to show everyone and their cousin the home they are "thinking" about buying - only to walk away.  This April I had a transaction - 250 + hours and almost 650 miles on the car  -6 weeks of negotiations and they WALKED and disappeared. I can't run a business this way - no one can.  So I'm drawing very firm lines in the sand with respect to buyers because in this market they will eat you alive if you let them.

Jun 20, 2011 07:15 AM
Adam Mallory
eBroker Real Estate 619-566-ADAM - San Diego, CA
Broker, ABR, e-Pro

Nice post Tre!  The title actually made me think of certain franchises that were not full service.  I'm speaking in the past tense because in my neck of the woods the Help-U's and Assist to's have all but disappeared.

Jun 20, 2011 07:18 AM
Dimitri Matsis-REALTOR® (818) 599-6083
Troop Real Estate Inc. Westlake Village CA - West Hills, CA

Hi Tre,

If you can function and get great results working 24/7 more power to you. I need some time to relax and get recharged.

It's great you want to serve your clients and be there for them where everything is concerned, and at the same time there has to be some sort of balance. Being a Real Estate butler is not how I view my position but if it works for you, hey to each their own. Also, metaphorically speaking, I do believe we are in sales every minute of our existence.

Thanks for the post.

Jun 20, 2011 08:50 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

You can be in control or allow others to be in control. Pros are always in control, so frame it and own it.

Jun 20, 2011 08:58 AM
RhondaHeaslip NanaimoRealEstate
RE/MAX of Nanaimo - Nanaimo, BC

Good post. This career can run you if you let it. I am the queen of time blocking. It's never perfect, but it certainly gives me greater control over my life and allows me to stay in love with my work.

Jun 20, 2011 09:36 AM
Anonymous
Amanda Howard

Great post and great point. I just switched to a career in real estate (in NKY, by the way, so hello from fairly close!) from a career in teaching. It, too, had several of the same problems. While I didn't receive phone calls at all hours, I worked almost 80 hours a week throughout the school year (at least 6 hours every single Saturday and Sunday) and 40 hours a week in the summer, and I was still barely phoning it in! Today's consumers, whether they be consumers of real estate or consumers of knowledge, demand the best, and we feel the need to give it to them. Needless to say, I now feel much better with my "cushy" 60 hour real estate job that allows me to intersperse more time with my family in little bursts of work, especially with my baby boy. And honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Jun 20, 2011 09:48 AM
#55
Suzanne Martin & Chris Knappett
Suzanne Martin, Broker & Bus Mgr Coastal Property Inspections - Laguna Niguel, CA
Thorough, High Tech, Friendly Home inspections!

Oh...I remember those days back in the "hay day".  I was writing them up frequently.  Working 7 days a week and making a great living.  However, it was to the expense of my health and family.  Looking back, I'd rather have made the time for the things that meant the most to me.  Now, I have more time on my hands and can't get my practice off the ground since I moved.  Isn't that what they say though?  Feast or famine? 

Jun 20, 2011 11:28 AM
Derek Raynor
(KW LF) Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Hollywood Hills, Pasadena - Los Feliz, CA

Great posting. It is all about the work like balance...

Jun 20, 2011 01:54 PM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

Read Gary Keller's "Millionaire Real Estate Agent" and Tim Ferris's "4 Hour Work Week".  Will quickly teach you how to systemize your business, hire others to do a lot of the non-fun work, and eliminate much of the non-productive things from your business in life.  Balance is important. 

Jun 20, 2011 02:09 PM
Tre Pryor
REMAX Champions - Louisville, KY
Realtor, e-PRO - Louisville Kentucky

Truly amazing response to this post. I'm astounded. Thanks to everyone!

I guess it boils down, "To each their own." 8^)

Jun 20, 2011 02:55 PM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

always a good reminder. If we nourish ourselves, we're so much better for our clients!

Jun 21, 2011 04:33 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Balance is tough and sometimes I have to give up stuff for business.  On the flip side I go to a lot of stuff for my kids mid week and get to see much of the stuff they do.  I do not have a commute that kills me.

Jun 21, 2011 05:15 AM
Deb Espinoza
Stage Presence Homes, San Diego Real Estate - Ramona, CA
GRI, Broker, SRS,ABR ePro, SFR, CNE

Tre- I guess I think of 'full service' as meaning we do more than just put the house on the MLS, and that I don't have other 'jobs' to pay the bills- THIS is my job and I work it regularly and put my time, effort and energy into education and time to be the best I can be. This does NOT include being at the beck and call of clients or prospects. Thanks for the post- very thought provoking :o)

Jun 21, 2011 09:26 AM