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When The Going Gets Tough...

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Triad Realtors

So I was on the phone with a mortgage broker yesterday talking with her about SendOutCards and I could tell she was stressed. "Things just aren't like they used to be," she said. She was busy, and yes, busy was good, she agreed, but I almost got the sense that it was taking much more effort to close clients than it did during the "housing boom." As I'm sure most of you have experienced, buyers, especially first-time homebuyers aren't just able to show up with $500 of borrowed earnest money and be pre-approved for a loan.

To simplify it, it's quite possibly the worst market possible: A buyer's market in that there is a high amount of inventory (foreclosures) out there, and yet, the buyers cannot get loans! EEK!

I pulled myself out of real estate sales after 7 months of allowing it to take control of my life and drive me completely batty. That was in a relatively "good" market. I know that real estate agents are dropping like flies, but still, there are those out there determined to make it work.

So this is my question: How are you making it work? What resources are you dipping into to stay passionate about this business? I know that there are encouraging and motivational people out there. I work for the best! I guess I just wanted to hear what you all were doing and what you are needing to get through this slump in the market. I'm not trying to be negative. It is what it is. My question is: How are you making lemonade with these lemons?

Comments (5)

Delaware Junk Removal Residential And Commercial Hauling Clean Outs
Delaware Junk Removal 302-530-9186 - Wilmington, DE
Whole House Clean Outs, Basements, Garages, Attics

Working everyday, calling and prequalifing every hard and doing a little expired, the realty generator they advertise on here works great.  Go get em!

Sep 19, 2008 03:47 PM
Terri Kincaid
ERA Brokers Consolidated - Mesquite, NV

Just pluggin away, working more hours, and pumping up my internet presence.

Sep 19, 2008 04:03 PM
Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee
SWBC Mortgage 410-960-2061 - Baltimore, MD
Maryland Mortgage Mama NMLS#196068

We have a great new co-marketing tool that helps me to help realtors and FSBO's with their listings.  We do the majority of our business by referral, so we have been blessed, even as the market melts!  There are so many people that need good, honest mortgage and real estate professionals that I figure if I leave the business, somebody who I could have helped might be #)*)$*%_!  I love what I do, and love my clients.  I am constantly learning and know that there aren't too many jobs that would allow me the flexibility that I have.  Keep the faith, keep learning, keep growing and be honest...you won't go wrong!

Sep 19, 2008 04:05 PM
Scott Otsuka
Infinity Financial Mortgage - Roseville, CA

What lemons?  I get to work on what I want, when I want and with whom I want.  I have found this market to be refreshing.  Perhaps lemon scented, but not lemons.  Am I making less money than I did in 2005?  Sure, but I'm working less and spending more time with my family and I'll take that tradeoff every day for the next 10 years till my youngest is grown.  This market has allowed me to slow down and work not with everybody, but with those clients that I can really appreciate and that appreciate me for the professional that I am.  It has allowed my more time to spend on Rotary projects in my community.  It has allowed my to coach soccer.  And there is no way I would have had the time to run for school board a few years ago.

Sep 19, 2008 04:18 PM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

I'm actually having my best year.... The deals are a bit harder to get through, but I've only had 1 die this year. 

My numbers are currently running, of 26 sides to date:

38% Personal Referrals

19% Lender referral

15% from Sphere of Influence (directly, not SOI referrals)

12% from Craigslist Ads

12% from Open House

8% from flyers/signs

Sep 19, 2008 04:34 PM