As the New Year approaches, I have to say that I am excited.  It will be good to begin the year without the unrealiestic expectations that we had entering into the past couple of years.  The thought that we just had to have a Real Estate Sales Agent license meant that we were in line for a lot of money.  Commissions were just going to roll into our bank accounts. 

This year, reality finally came to most, if not all Realtors.  There was still business being done, it was just being done by Realtors that worked hard.  I think that is the reality that replaces the myth, success=hard work and vice versa.  Gone in our market is the quick and easy sale, sellers and buyers are looking for Realtors that are up front with them, and are willing to work hard.  That doesn't stop them from listing with agents that are willing to take overpriced listings. 

That is where the hard work comes in, the agents that are selling properties are the ones that stay the course.  They only take listings that are properly priced.  Do they lose listings?  Yes, but they aren't wasting their time and energy on something that isn't going to sell anyway.  They are busy getting as many saleable listings as they can.  They have a plan, and they work it, everyday.  That is the other myth that is being broken Real Estate is work that needs daily attention and effort.  It isn't a vacation nor a get rich quick scheme. 

When I look at the bottom line on some of our deals, after subtracting the advertising costs, and the other costs associated with selling the property.  Once we have that figure, we divide the number of hours that we spent getting the listing or client, hours spent showing and marketing we don't have a great hourly wage.  Even with that we take them, why because by treating them right, they refer their family and friends to us.  Our hourly wage increases dramatically with referrals. 

The hard work is there for each of to do.  I really believe that our success depends on our ability to work hard and smart.  Working with referrals is working smart, but developing those referrals can be hard work.  It is worth it, regardless of whether a commission is generated or not.  Those relationships are what makes this one of the great careers in the world!  I am sorry if I rambled too much, it is getting late.