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Do you take your kids with your to show property?

I have a very busy day ahead of me, I don't want to get up, I thought, as the alarm clock buzzed. Being busy means work, work means money, so I jumped out of bed and started my day. Is my day like may other Realtor Moms, I thought. This would be a good blog.

I get up every morning and go upstairs to wake up my son. He is a bit spoiled so it takes me 10 minutes to actually get him out of bed. We rush around, getting dressed, eating, and most mornings even yelling to hurry we are going to be late. Finally, we are out the door for school. I drop off my son and rush back home. HOME...peaceful, quite, only me at home. This is my time for myself, my husband is gone to work, kids in school and it is just me. I look at the clock, make mental note of all upcoming appointments for the day and sit with my coffee to open e-mails, blog a bit on AR and to check out the hot sheets on the MLS. My work day has started. By 8am my phone will start ringing. I will be running here and there doing what Realtors do. All of the sudden, my alarm rings on my cell phone, time to pick up Carter, my son, from school. School gets out at 2pm. That is right in the middle of my day. I have to adjust appointments around picking up kids at school.

The second part of my day begins. After I pick up kids, I rush off to more appointments. Carter is 11, he has been a child of a Realtor for almost 4 years now, He knows when my phone rings to be quite, If I have to show property, he knows to sit in the 3rd seat in the back of the yukon. He is very good, the reason, we have tons of movies & hand held video games to keep him busy for hours. I have even had customers ask me if he was still back there.

Today will be a differnet, I have a closing set for 3pm. Normally, I have my closings set for mornings, but my client need as late as possible. SO...what to do, what to do. Carter will have to go to my closing with me. I have already warned him what he needs to do. We will see how this goes. Wish me luck.

I can't wait until next year. Carter will be 12. In TN a child can stay at home alone for a short time with out an adult. He can't wait either...that is scary!

Posted by Carmen Prince, Affiliate Broker on 03/20/2007 07:53 AM

Comments (6)

6 Comments on Do you take your kids with your to show property?

Hi Carmen

It is always a quandry for working moms. As a Mother of Twins I can relate. They are still too young to stay home alone. (9) and on occasion I have had to hide them while showing property. New movie in the DVD player, bag of snacks and it is like a mobile treehouse. We also bring books and book report sheets. If they read and write one-they get a voucher for a trip to Mickey' Dees on the way home after closing. I have a client who is a pricipal and a few who are teachers they have no problem with it-but others... it can be a burden. It is a challenge indeed. Do the best you can. Good luck

03/20/2007 09:28 AM

by Allison Stewart REALTOR ®St. Cloud Florida (Florida Pines Realty, Inc)

I'm a single dad, and I bring my guys whenever it's appropriate, and whenever it's necessary. I find that by bringing them whenever possile, kid friendly clients, or non client appointments, they are better prepaired for when it's necessary. Plus I don't burn through as many babysitters that way.

All you can do is push through it. They will eventually be real estate masters themselves and you'll be asking to follow them to their appointments just to see how they do it.

03/20/2007 09:55 AM

by Christopher Bergeron (Coldwell Banker Grace Drapeau)

I can't say I have taken any kids to closing, but defineately all other areas of real estate. I have been blessed and no one seems to mind to this point. I do warn all involved that I have a child/ren coming and as I said, no problems! Good luck!

03/20/2007 02:30 PM

by Theresa Cavanaugh (Global Realty Marketing)

Well, my Carter is 3. So far, I'm still having trouble having him be quite for phone calls(he ALWAYS wants to talk to whoever is on the other end - regardless of whether it's a client or a friend) , but he LOVES going to see homes (and he's really good when he's there). It's hilarious hearing the oohs & aahs coming from that little guy. I guess I've been lucky, most of my clients have been kid friendly.

03/20/2007 05:10 PM

by Tori Stamps, MA, JD (ERA Johnson & Thompson)

I had a similar life until recently...My boys are turning 13 and 15 now...but a few years ago, I was in your shoes times two! The phone, the gameboys...it was our life as well during showings. Most of the time I would meet clients or have them follow me to see homes rather than have them in my car.

There was an instance where my youngest was 8 or 9 and was sick. I had a closing but luckily it was at my office. I shared an office at the time with an understanding agent. Brian sat quietly reading a book at my desk. I came back and forth across the hall a couple of times but everything was fine.

Don't worry. Your clients probably know already that you have a life beyond real estate.

03/20/2007 06:24 PM

by Teri Eckholm, Realtor® Anoka County MN (Keller Williams Premier Realty)

Thanks Everyone,

At least I know I am not the only one that has "assistants" tag along from time to time!

03/20/2007 06:36 PM

by Carmen Prince, Affiliate Broker (RE/MAX Premier)