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It's Not A Job | It's Not A Hobby | It's A Blessing And A Passion

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

My “job” is not typical, and I rarely refer to it as a “job.”  It’s more of a passion. What I do every day for a living was the final stage of a plan. A program designed to keep my income flowing and to provide me with total flexibility. What I do for a living can be done from any location and at any time of the day.

I never need to answer the phone again. Oh, how I dislike phone calls now, but I think I shared that already with everyone.  I had so many decades of being a listing agent and jumping on every phone call.  The service I gave was superior, if I do say so myself.  I answered that phone at all hours of the day and/or night.  Prompt service at all times was what I provided. Now, it goes into voicemail unless I want to answer it!

Over ten years ago, I began my “scale it down and veer off to the next path” journey.  My Todaro Team was formed; I turned over all of my builders to one team member (a very difficult task for me….I had a very close relationship with all of my builders, but they trusted my judgment.)  I marketed for the members and made the phone ring without taking any business.  I lived on referral fees, and there was enough business from my marketing to make that happen. My name was already branded.

Now, my daughter is the team leader, and my marketing continues.  I have personal time whenever I want it, and I am able to work from anywhere. I continue to recruit when I meet someone who strikes me as a “rare find.”  Once a teacher, always a teacher.  I love training old school methods and “the basics” of online marketing.

My job is rare, but I think more will see it my way, and plan properly for the future.  My plan worked well for me because I wanted it badly.  I’m not the type of person to do nothing. I love what I do, and I appreciate the freedom and flexibility. 

What I love about my job is “it’s not a job.”  It’s whatever I want it to be, on any particular day.  If I don’t feel like marketing, I won’t market.  Truly, that has not happened yet.  It’s become a passion and addictive.  I market on 8 different sites online plus I prepare an incredible amount of fresh, new postcard designs for direct mail marketing.

There is no other profession that will allow one to participate until both eyes are closed or one can’t think properly. Until one of those two scenarios happens, my income will continue to flow consistently. 

The real estate plan that I’ve created is a plan that works well for me. It keeps me sharp (give or take a buck!!) and allows me to enjoy my personal time. I consider myself to have been blessed with this career.  I know it’s rare, but it’s possible for others to create, also.

Many real estate agents are forced to leave the business because of physical reasons and find themselves working at a menial job because they need the income to survive. It does not need to be that way, if one plans properly.  Think ahead and always have a backup system in place.

Just sharing my real estate plan (also known by most as a “JOB”) and submitting it to the ActiveRain Contest offered by Liz and Bill Spear.   

Posted by

 

 

Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

             Copyright © 2009 - 2021 Barbara Todaro

                               All Rights Reserved



 

Comments (61)

Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

Precisely the way I feel.  I spent lunch today talking with a lady who I hope will help carry on my business as I "scale it down and veer off to the next path".

Feb 06, 2017 06:31 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Barbara Todaro - you are the best! And I am fortunate to have you met here in 'Rain! 

Feb 06, 2017 10:10 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Work hard, keep your wits about you and re-invent your life, your real estate profession which some say is a jealous master. It's your life and ticking by fast Barbara Todaro !

Feb 07, 2017 03:17 AM
Barbara Todaro

i tell my trainer that every morning...."my clock is ticking....let's beef up those weights!!"

Feb 07, 2017 03:26 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

What a great post, Barbara, outlining your personal real estate story. It's truly inspiring and I hope it gets a few people thinking about how they can make this profession work for them at different stages of their lives.

Feb 07, 2017 03:54 AM
Barbara Todaro

I'm too Armenian for me not to have all of those years continue to work for me!!!! just saying...

Feb 07, 2017 04:01 AM
Raul Rodriguez
Covenant Partners Realty - San Antonio, TX
Looking out for the client's interest and not my p

Congratulations on having the foresight to plan your work, you should write a book now. You are what makes America great... 

Feb 07, 2017 05:19 AM
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Your energy is palpable!!  Thank you so much for sharing this.  I love that you found "life after showings and listing appointments".  This provides motivation for us all.  :)

Feb 07, 2017 05:52 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is not a job if you LOVE it Barbara Todaro 

Feb 07, 2017 06:02 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I love the positiveness of your post and the hope it gives to so many to create and follow a plan for the future and to make sure they have a long term plan. You are a shining example, thank you.

Feb 07, 2017 06:20 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Good for you Barbara!  You've set your plan in motion and now continue to reap the rewards of hard work and efforts. 

Feb 07, 2017 09:01 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Barbara, thanks for sharing your personal journey and why you still love it.

Passion is not often found in people today, I am glad you still have it.

Best wishes

Feb 07, 2017 11:03 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I am enjoying reading all of these contest entries, need to write one myself!  You are correct, it's more than just a job--real estate involves a lot of emotions, variuos types of clients, dedication and a strong work ethic. We are all working for ourselves.

Feb 08, 2017 09:26 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good afternoon Barbara. None of this surprised me but I love the read and the story it tells about you.

Feb 12, 2017 02:57 PM
Carissa Dodds
Realtor @ Exit Realty Pikes Peak - Colorado Springs, CO
Real Estate Agent extraordinaire serving Colorado

I love seeing your passion and love for what you do! It's not a job to you it seems to be more like a " Lifestyle". What an amazing mentor you would be! Look forward to reading through your blogs and learning from you! Your an inspiration!

Apr 01, 2017 12:53 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

thanks so much, Carissa Dodds I love to mentor, and my niche is land, new construction and resale listings.... the team focuses on those areas and I do all the marketing.... thank you for your kind words....

Apr 01, 2017 01:19 PM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Barbara Todaro I enjoyed reading about your career and what you have made it into.  This is truly a post that will help others (as all your posts are!)

Jun 04, 2017 11:34 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

thanks so much, Elyse Berman, PA, CRS 

Jun 04, 2017 11:36 AM
Sebastian Golod
Miami Condos - Miami, FL
Condos in Miami and luxury real estate

Great post, everything we do with passion for what we like goes well

Sep 03, 2017 04:16 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Thanks, Sebastian Golod when one has a passion for what they do for a living, they can do it everyday and love it....

Sep 03, 2017 04:54 PM
Tyra Hatcher Mitchell
Alliance Realty - Portland, ME
Southern Maine Realtor

What a great perspective!

Dec 07, 2017 07:30 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Thanks, Tyra Hatcher Mitchell planning for the future(distant future) is important.... 

Dec 08, 2017 02:38 AM