Special offer

Fridays are the start of my work week.

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center

tgif - a real estate agent that works on weekends

 

 

Eleven years ago I began my career as a real estate agent.  When I first started I had a wonderful broker, Tony McHugh, who was always available to answer questions and give you a pep talk when needed.  One thing I remember clearly about my time with Tony was his comical way of putting things into perspective.

 

 

Before my coveted license came in the mail to Tonys office he talked to me about coming in to the office to get a feel for things, and to listen and learn from others. I remember that first Friday so clearly.  (Funny, I have troubling remembering what I ate 2 days ago, but can remember other events from long ago!)

One of the first quotes from Tony still rings true in my ears today:

"Fridays are the start of our work week."

That first Friday I went in to the office and became Tonys shadow. I remember the phones ringing continually, with hardly a break in them for the receptionist to catch her breath.   I can still see the other agents bustling about with their briefcases and their cell phones attached to their hips.  Call after call
was coming in from newspaper ads placed, agents wanting to set up showings for their clients, and inspections or appraisals being co-ordinated.

It was a whirlwind of activity to me, the lady who had previously been a 9 to 5 gal in a career that typically had wound down on Fridays

What brought all of this to mind for me today (other than the fact that it is Friday)?

Yesterday I overheard an agent state that he does not work weekends, and that if a buyer client wanted to view homes it would have to be during "the work week" and nothing later than 7 p.m.  I had to stop and stare, I couldn't believe what I was  hearing from this seasoned agent.  Tony McHugh and that first Friday popped in to my mind, as well as my schedule for this weekend:

    14 homes to show on Saturday.

      6 homes to show on Sunday as well as a home inspection scheduled.


This is what is scheduled as of right now.  There could very well be time to fit in to write an offer or two and present them added to the list.

I wanted to sit down with the agent and ask him how he does it.  Do his clients take time off from their jobs to view homes?  Do they schedule home inspections during their work hours?  And the ever nagging question:  What kind of jobs do his clients have that offer so much flexibility that they are able to do this without repercussions from their employers?

Instead I just shook my head and walked away, knowing it doesn't matter how he does it.  I'll keep conducting my business my way. 

The Metro Detroit area is still a 3 shift town.  I'll schedule appointments around my clients work schedules for their convenience.   Thankfully the home inspectors and mortgage representatives feel the same way.  My clients will normally only have to take time off of work for the closing. 

When others say T.G.I.F. I smile and remember my previous career.  For the last eleven years though Fridays mean the start of a busy work week, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

© Kris Wales 2008  A Macomb County real estate agent

 

 

Comments (13)

Chip Jefferson
Advanced Building LLC - Lexington, SC

Wow a busy weekend indeed. Im not even sure we could show 14 homes in one day. Good luck!

May 15, 2008 10:42 PM
Gary McAdams
GMAC Schwartz Property Sales - Key West, FL

Having a Broker who was there when you need them is key.  I have a broker now who is great.  The first broker I had was the exact opposate, never there and didn't care.  What a difference it is to work for someone who cares.

May 15, 2008 10:43 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Wow, you are busy Kris. Great! An agent that will not work weekends is an agent that will not make it in this business.

May 15, 2008 10:52 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Kris,

I would love for you to come speak with the agents in our area that close their business on Friday and re-open on Monday.....(I still work weekends....28 years later)

May 15, 2008 11:00 PM
Frank Schulte-Ladbeck
Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Professional Real Estate Inspections - Houston, TX

Tony sounds like a great boss, and you have written a great post to express this idea. I had a call from a Realtor last week asking if I could handle two inspections in two different cities on opposite sides of Houston. He was surprised when I said yes without hestitation. Not only will I work weekends and evenings, but I will work where needed.

Good luck wwith your weekend! Well, maybe luck has nothing to do with it; maybe it is just your smarts.

May 15, 2008 11:04 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Kris, I know agents who do that too. Very successful agents but they all have teams who cover for them.

May 15, 2008 11:11 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Chip:  14 isn't that many when they are all so close together.  I much prefer showing homes then sitting in the office doing paperwork!

Gary: Glad to hear that you have a broker now who is a good fit for you.  It really does make a difference.

Michael:   Actually, the agent I was speaking of is successful.  That's why I wanted to ask him how the heck he does it..

Chapman Realty:  Nah..don't tell them.  It will mean more business for you :-)

Frank:  Obviously you are one of the home inspectors that understands how difficult it is for buyers to take hours off from their jobs.  Good for you!


May 15, 2008 11:11 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Missy:   I didn't even think about that (the team).  Now I wonder if that is how he does it.

May 15, 2008 11:12 PM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

It is interesting we are the real weekend warriors

May 15, 2008 11:56 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

The weekends are when most people are available to see houses...we work when they don't work...and its the weekends!

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

I think I need a team!  Frankly, even if my clients could see, buy and sell houses between 9 and 5 that would not be enough time to get it all done.  Many of my clients do seem to be able to meet during "normal business hours." They can get away during the day.  I don't have many shift workers.

But when our weekends don't include some client activities I get worried...

 

May 16, 2008 12:01 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Charlie:  I've been calling myself that for eleven years now :-)  Indeed we are.

Gary:  I agree.  Most of my clients cannot take time from work without some sort of repercussion (to their vacation time, personal days, etc.)

Maureen:   You are blessed in that most of your clients can get away during 9-5 hours, but I fully understand the "if weekends don't include some client activities I get worried."  I would be worried also.  In fact, the last whole weekend I had off I was concerned!

May 16, 2008 12:08 AM
Nannette Turner
eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA
Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

Kris I don't work most weekends.  Very seldom will I work on Sunday.  (It's a southern thing I guess)  However I will make exceptions for clients that can't meet me any other time.  It is only in the last few years that I've developed this practice.  Especially in the beginning I worked every weekend.  Now if an offer comes in I will definately work!  I usually answer the phone on the weekends and always return calls on the weekends.  I usually don't work a 8 hour day on the weekend.

May 16, 2008 12:54 AM