Real Estate, Energy Drinks That Cure Cancer & A 10 Day All-Inclusive European Vacation For Two For $999.

I got into Real Estate after a successful run owning a "Good Hands" insurance agency in the Midwest. The agency was sold and we moved to Florida because I was sick and tired of the cold snowy winters.

Silly me, I entered Real Estate thinking I would...of all things sell REAL ESTATE! Maybe I took a nap during my 60 hour pre-license class, but I seriously missed the ENTIRE chapter on "alternate income streams".  I went as far as to dust off the old pre-license manual looking for that elusive chapter. It was no where to be found.

Am I the only one who missed that informational meeting about "side" incomes? I got into real estate to help people buy and sell homes. To help people either moving into my community, or those wanting to move up, move down or perhaps acquire a 2nd home.

Never did I think I would be bombarded with fellow agents wanting to sign me up for "alternate income streams". I want to say to those that are happy doing it, God bless you. I am happy that you like having a good time with your new endeavor.

I write this to say I am saddened that an industry I deem to be a professional industry, to be now full of "other" stuff. Real Estate has many intricacies, laws, guidelines, professional designations, andawesome opportunities to network and mastermind  knowledge, such as ActiveRain.

If I am going to invest in any business, it will be Real Estate. If I wanted to sell bottled juices that have the derivative of the "mona-mona-berry" then I would leave my brokerage and go do that.

If I wanted to sell clients tickets to far away exotic destinations than I would earn the designation of Travel Agent, but I don't. Even more importantly, I feel the reputation of Realtors can be seen as compromised when the Realtor showing homes takes the time to whip out more business cards extolling wonderful opportunities in other businesses.

Even more troubling to me is the stories I hear of Realtors RECRUITING their clients to join these organizations. They explain the multi-level marketing aspect to their organization & tell them that for a $495 joining fee & $49 per month, they could  get to the 5th or 6th or EVEN the 7th level and make a gazillion dollars a year.

I am sure this post will get many angry replies from people doing such endeavors. My challenge to all of you is this: How would you feel if your Doctor, Attorney, or Child's Teacher took the time to recruit you? Would you loose respect for your Doctor? Would you question whether your child's teacher was putting his/her time to educating your child or would you question their focus? Would you want that Attorney representing you in that lawsuit or would you go looking for another Lawyer?

Am I the only one who thinks this could be considered questionable?

I know the market is a challenge for most everyone.  Mortgage applications were down 24% last month. Foreclosures are up, sales prices are down.  Sellers are wanting you to reduce your commission rates and buyers are harder & harder to come by.

I am not standing on my soapbox saying we are not up against real challenges. having to leave the Real Estate industry to find other employment because you need to pay the bills is a fact in today's world.

I just wonder....Are those who choose to participate in these side businesses inadvertently making it harder for themselves to actually make it in Real Estate because these "other jobs" lessen the credibility of the public's view of Realtors?