Black Rock CT This post was inspired by Broker Bryant's comment on Bill Field's featured post, "Is It Time for You to Retire?" Broker Bryant asserted that he doesn't consider real estate to be work, but instead views it as a lifestyle. That gave me pause. Hmmmm. I worked in a very demanding corporate consulting field before going into real estate and frankly, I did make the move because of the lifestyle.

While it's true that real estate is a 24/7 lifestyle and can wreak havoc with our personal lives, if we let it. It also allows us a degree of flexibility in our live to do things that we couldn't do, if we haId set hours and a boss looking over our shoulders. I enjoy the small pleasures of going out for a walk in late afternoon (and I'm still available to my clients by cell phone during my walk) or having lunch with my husband, who understands I need to answer the phone when it rings. If we are going out to dinner or going to a social event, I'll switch the ringer off and just check text messages for any emergencies.

While my husband has been in the hospital over the past week, I was able to keep working on my cell phone and laptop. I paid another agent to step in for me to do the physical work that I couldn't do via phone or e-mail. (My husband is back home now and doing well. For those of you who don't know, he has been battling pancreatic cancer for the past 2.5 years.)

I couldn't have cared for my ailing parents during the final years of their lives without the flexibility of this lifestyle or given my husband the level of care he needs to have the quality of life the still enjoys despite his devastating illness. The photo for this post is a recent one of my husband relaxing in a friend's pool. In fact, we will be going there this afternoon for a few hours to relax and spend time together, but I will still be in touch with my clients as I have five transactions underway and 12 listings to manage.

I live with real estate 24/7, so I consider it a lifestyle. I work in the morning, afternoon, and evenings. I work weekdays and weekends. I weave work and play into my life seamlessly. For those who want to get away from work on evenings, holidays, and weekends, residential real estate will make your life miserable. If you don't have the support from your family for the real estate lifestyle, it can be tremendously stressful for both yourself and your family.

Given your own experiences in this business, do you think there is value in thinking of real estate as a lifestyle?

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: Selling Soulfully
Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: BananaTude

12 Comments on Real Estate is a Lifestyle, Not a Career

JUL
30
256,743 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It is a way of life that isn't suitable for everyone and I think that is why so many enter the field and then vanish as fast as they came because they learned that Realtors DO NOT make too much and DO NOT have a lot of down time. Being Type A, I would work all day long (and do sometimes) but have learned to set aside time for my family and self with the all important TIME BLOCKING!

I suggested this post b/c so many think it is so east without really understand the time put forth.
9:48am • #1
714,810 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Shannon - It would be so helpful if people considering entering real estate could shadow a real estate agent and see what our days (and evenings) are really like.  It can easily consume our lives and very few agents create the mega teams that allow them to earn big bucks.  For those of us who do this full-time and are the family breadwinners, real estate consists of long hours and hard work.  I do time blocking as well.  I couldn't keep my sanity without it.
9:56am • #2
275,018 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great Post, Gail.  I struggle with balancing the demands of my Real Estate work with my "other life."  I need to expand my high tech knowledge so that I can get more work done via my Droid. Now if I could just remember the procedure for getting my pictures from my Droid.

It would also help if I could get my e-mail and phone contacts synced.
10:24am • #3
760,924 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have worked many years on my own, prior to real estate I was a recruiter.  I think any career you work on your own is a lifestyle.  I love the freedom and cannot imagine how I ever worked 9-5 in an office.  I am glad real estate is your career and with all that activity we know you are very successful at it despite what it going on in your life right now and you are able to spend time with your husnband.  You are a prime example of incorporating your work life into your personal one.   
12:40pm • #4
714,810 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

John - I finally broke down and bought an iPhone last summer, right before the new iPhone came out, of course.  I've been using iCloud to synch my calendar and I e-mail myself the photos and then just download them onto my computer from the e-mail.  You could try doing that with your Droid.


Jane - Believe it or not I used to work for NACPR (National Association of Corporate and Professional Recruiters) and a good friend's husband is a well-known recruiter, so I know that profession well.  Lots of meetings in airports and evening/weekend hours.  Not so dissmilar to real estate.  Than you for your kind words.
3:48pm • #5
1,356,892 Points 242 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gail I had not thought of what I do as a life style, but now that you mentioned it, I guess it is.  And it is one that I see myself doing for many more years.
5:09pm • #6
465,329 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

For me it would be Lifestyle. I currently have two jobs so I don't have much time to do anything else. When I can finally be a full time agent, which is what I desire most, it still will be lifestyle.
6:58pm • #7

Yeah, I agree. It depends on us on how we consider our work. Good thing that you can balanced out all these things.

 
7:38pm • #8
389,219 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh, Gail, I feel for you, and I'm glad that this "lifestyle" fits in with your priorities. And that's what it is, isn't it? Although you work many hours, it's not rigid such as when you work in the corporate world. Real estate does give you flexibility. And that's why it's perfect for my lifestyle. I've never been one to take vacations, as such, they were always work related. I'm just not the kind that can sit on a beach for days on end and do nothing. Or visit museums, etc. without there being a mission. Real estate has given me that sense of purpose that I need. FUN, yes, lots of it, but PURPOSEFUL fun. Does that make sense? It does to me.
10:09pm • #9
JUL
31
194,730 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

reblogging this and suggested it... It IS a lifestyle that is seamless for me between work and play.
5:31am • #10
1,187,837 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Suggested this Gail because it is so true. I think what makes it work for you so easily is your positive attitude. When the phone rings, you sound like you don't get upset you just answer it and carry on. That's probably why it works for you and can work for the rest of us.
5:43am • #11
714,810 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

George - With the hours we work and our availability, it becomes a sustainable lifestyle or we burn out.  I know some mortgage brokers who work five days a week, but you aren't one of them.  Your hours are more like real estate agents.

Sussie - Are you working two jobs in addition to doing real estate?  Wow1

Mike - So far I've been managing.

Hella - I think I could handle lying on the beach for a week, but you know, it's been so many years since I had a chance to do that that I really don't know.  I might just be twitching around on the beach blanket like a Mexican jumping bean.  You really made me think.  Not sure I could handle a vacation.

Paula - A few people have thought this should be Featured, but the posts you think will be featured never are and the ones you least expect, get featured.  I don't care.  I just wanted to share my thoughts and am glad to have so many responses.

Al & Peggy - Wow, another suggest!  If the phone didn't ring, I'd get upset!  The sound of a phone ringing is the sound of money.  Not every call turns into a commission, but if your phone is quiet, then you aren't doing something right.  Thank you.
5:58pm • #12

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Gail Robinson, REALTOR, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Fairfield, CT

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William Raveis Real Estate, Southport, CT

Address: 2525 Post Road, Southport, CT , 06890

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