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63 Days to Home Office!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Home Team

Real Estate Home Office

On January 1, 2008, I wrote a blog post on Active Rain called "From Single to Team to Single Again".  I described how I had decided to push my buyer specialists out of the nest, and to return to practicing as a single agent with an assistant.  (I continue to refer all my buyers to my former buyer agents.) I made this change for reasons unrelated to market conditions but rather to golf more and concentrate on building my niche of listing homes in the town of Ledyard.  Having been blessed with a great business over a long career, I also want to spend some time helping other people grow their businesses. To that end, I have started my Real Estate Solutions Blog and also have a few other ideas swirling in my head.

And now for the rest of the story..... On September 1st, I'll be selling the assets of the RE/MAX Office I have owned since 1985.  The new owners will keep the name, so RE/MAX Realty Group is alive and well!  And no, I am not retiring but instead moving to a home office and still working at RE/MAX Realty Group.  After going into the office almost every morning by 8AM for a whole bunch of years, it's time for a change.  Yes, this 58 year old welcomes change.  To almost quote Ray Croc....I'd rather be green and growing, than ripe and rotting.

For now I have plenty to do to get ready for the change.  I have years and years of "stuff" that needs moved to my home office.   A couple weeks ago I committed to bringing home one box a day.  At that rate, I should have everything home by 2012..... so next week it is time to speed it up a notch. 

While concentrating on the things leading up to this change, I've missed my social networking buddies on Active Rain and Twitter and I apologize for not being as attentive as usual and not commenting on some great posts. Once I've settled in, I (and Carnac) promise to be a lot more social.

In the meantime, this "home office thing" is going to be very different for me. This weekend I've started to work on my physical home office. I'm moving into a 9x11 space from an office much larger. Every bit of floor space needs to be well utilized.  While measuring the spot for my waste basket, it occurred to me that there must be plenty of Rainers already working in a home office who might have some advice to share.  Or maybe I'll have some advice myself to share along the way.  Stay tuned.   

Hope Goss
Ventura Property Shoppe - Ventura, CA
Ventura Real Estate

How exciting for you.  Change is good - especially when it means bringing more balance to your life and including the things you love to do.

Jun 29, 2008 01:56 AM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Hi Linda,

Congratulations, sounds like you are really gonna enjoy this next phase in your life! :)

Jun 29, 2008 02:30 AM
Anonymous
Scott Wooters

Congrats on your move to the home office.  Be on the lookout for all the telemarketing calls that come in during the day -- Have fun.

Jun 29, 2008 02:36 AM
#30
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Linda: WoW.. this is going to be a BIG change for you. I wish you the best with your decission. Change can be good !

Jun 29, 2008 02:36 AM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Hi Linda! I know how excited you are and wish you all the best! I know exactly how you feel about setting up a home office..I just relocated and am doing the same. I look forward to your results:)

Jun 29, 2008 02:50 AM
Faina Sechzer
Henderson-Sotheby's International Realty - Princeton, NJ
Real Estate Expert - Princeton, Montgomery ,Hopewell, NJ

I go to the office for meetings and to deliver paperwork. I have an home office, but my at home is mostly done from a comfy chair and a laptop in my lap. What I don't have at home are the high speed printers and a Fax machine with a receipt printout. I have Efax, but it doesn't verify receipt.

Good luck with your "new" work life.

Jun 29, 2008 03:14 AM
Dawn Maloney
RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH
330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio

Congratulations! I love working from home - I can stay connected to the family and still work as needed. I want to get to the paperless lifestyle, as BB mentioned, and I think that will make my husband happy!

Jun 29, 2008 04:01 AM
Tony D. Melandro
Melandro Home Inspections - Wethersfield, CT

Nows the time to join a counrty club they all have great deals right now because they are hurting also, so good luck and have fun. Tony M

Jun 29, 2008 04:14 AM
Anonymous
Li Read

Hello, there!     I really want to know what happens, here, as I think you're five minutes ahead of me, on the path to change.     Will be reading your signposts!

Li Read, RE/MAX Salt Spring, B.C., Canada

liread33@gmail.com

Jun 29, 2008 04:34 AM
#37
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL
Huntsville AL MLS

Linda, Congratulations on selling your business. So many changes for you! How exciting. 

I am a recent reader of yours, and love your blog. Don't stay away too long! I just found you!

Jun 29, 2008 05:25 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!
Serene Oceanfront Beauty

This is not my home office. I do work in this lovely Island environment, though, and I know if I stayed home, I'd never get anything done!
Li

South of France? No, it's beautiful Salt Spring Island! A European flair, here, with
serene oceanviews, privacy, and excellent sun exposure (s/sw/w). This oceanfront beauty
offers three ensuite bedrooms, plus two further bedrooms/bath. Superb formal living, with
library and office off, family kitchen/dining, separate dining, and separate laundry. You
will love the guest/wing, plus office, too. This home has easy access to the beach (warm
ocean swimming in this area!), is on a comm. water system, and is close to all amenities,
yet enjoying a private world. Would be perfect for a family, or, if any interest in
creating a 5 Star B & B, this would be an exceptional choice. Corporate retreat? Would
work very well, too. Separate double garage -- keep those classic cars at home! Ready to
just move into and enjoy. See Li for appts. to view.
Jun 29, 2008 06:53 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Linda- So exciting....I tried to follow your math for moving boxes and gave up.  I did however go to your Solutions Blog and sign up....with all your experience and new found freedom I figure I can learn a lot :) :)  Selfish of me I know...but hey I have plenty of time to learn, and if you're teaching....well then a good match :)

Enjoy, and hope you have many great golf times.

Jun 29, 2008 07:10 AM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

Li Read - I'm leaving your comment because I am assuming you are new at this blogging thing.  Your comment is considered spam.  You'll lose friends fast if you continue.

Jun 29, 2008 07:11 AM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

The comments have been great here!  Kathy, thanks for the nice words! 

Jun 29, 2008 07:53 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

No advice, just wishing you luck!  I do get out every night and take a walk though to be away from my home office.

Jun 29, 2008 10:57 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes

Linda - Congrats and thanks for sharing - looking at your picture I think you've got the right idea. I must confess like Elaine - working from home  the stuff has "spread" so we are working on that ourselves and implementing going paperless too - loving it so far and wondering why we were killing so many trees before. I also don't know what I would do without my laptop and a chair that reclines :) - spend way too much time online with you guys :) - Looking forward to carnacs "observations" as things settle - wishing you all the best!!  

Jun 29, 2008 11:25 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

Good luck on your new career. I will keep checking out your outside blog. I like what I see.

Jun 29, 2008 12:26 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Linda, You are going to love it. I have been at home almost since the beginning of my career. So much more productive!

Go to the search button and type in "home office". There is quite a bit of info right here on the rain. Would love to see a contest with the best offices!

Jun 29, 2008 02:45 PM
TheMillsTeam YourSebringRealtors
Advantage Realty #1 - Sebring, FL
863-212-5441

While I envy you for being able to work from home, it's not something I could do. I'm set up to work from home if I have to (10 weeks of summer break in FL) but I prefer to go to the office instead. I get more done. Have my office on the second floor, only sharing it with my husband an occassionally with another agent. Peace and quite..................loving it.

Jul 03, 2008 03:03 PM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!

You GO! Girl...this will be a terrific move for you. And, you will  find you have so much to give now that you are "office-free". I have a RE office but I often work from where-ever I am. I just make sure that my time --- is scheduled so that people can alway reach me during those hours --- either by phone, email, text, etc. Once you establish that --- your office view --- can be anywhere you want on any given day. Go forth and be happy....

Aug 07, 2008 02:56 AM