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I Love a Down Market (at times)

Yes, it's true... a real estate agent who sees a silver lining in the cloud known as "today's market." I spent this entire weekend being a "normal" person instead of a real estate agent. It was fun and so very relaxing.

I actually spent Saturday at a college football game with my husband, son and grandson, followed by big tailgate party with my brother's family and about 30 others, without receiving a single text message or phone call. The Terps beat Wake Forest in a shutout, so that was a bonus. It was chilly, but otherwise a great fall day that I probably would not have experienced in a good market - at least not without a severe case of guilt.

On Sunday, my husband and I drove to Ocean City for the day. We hung out at my brother's house a few hours and then went with him and his wife to the Ocean Pines Yacht Club, where we sat at a table with a view of the water and enjoyed a beer while watching the Redskins game. They won, too, in a squeaker. After a late dinner by the fire, we drove home - about two hours - not worrying about an early-morning appointment. Again, no text messages, no emails, no phone calls received - just a nice relaxing weekend day with family.

For most people, this would be a fairly typical weekend... people who are not in real estate, that is. While I do love my real estate career and my clients, this was a lot of fun. On the flip side, I didn't earn any money this weekend, either.

But I did say to myself several times over the past few days, "I love a down market!"

Find a home in CROFTON, DAVIDSONVILLE, GAMBRILLS, ODENTON, ANNAPOLIS, BOWIE

Posted by Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate on 10/20/2008 11:00 PM

Comments (34)

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34 Comments on I Love a Down Market (at times)

OCT

2008

You do have to take a break. We have been reminded in our office, "family first" by our manager on a number of occassions.

Hi Margaret,

Actually, I find that I am busy trying to establish myself for the next upturn. Our market is such a mess that I don't see oppotuntities really happening until the market turns. So I'm keeping myself busy finding other work (to tide me over) and to position myself to take real advantage of the pent up need to buy and sell that is going to burst at the seams when the market turns around.

Hi Margaret! Great attitude--you SHOULD take time with your family every week and we get into the habit of work, work, work and forget our priorities FAR too often. Glad you enjoyed the game and time with your family!

Me too! I've finally been able to clean my house and finish up those little projects! I do have an Open planned for Sunday, but I think Saturday we're headed to the zoo!

Margaret,

I took time off this weekend without feeling guilty because we had the Oyster Festival in my town, I took my grandchildren to see the pirates, went to petting zoo, took them for a camel ride and they were so excited. It's worth all the money in the world.

Great post! I agree that it feels good to have some down time. It's a great time to gear up for the coming busy market!

Margaret- Well, you know me, don't work on weekends and have not worked on weekends for many years. Whether we are busy or not, boundaries we have in place make for very productive weekdays:) We are so busy we sometimes wish it would slow down, then we take it back, and say, thanks God for blessing us with so much business especially compared to the rest of our colleagues. Of course, the market values have dropped in half so that means our used to be luxury homes are no longer luxury homes and our pay is not what we are used to getting because of the declining market. We are just so happy to even have a business!

Margaret, I took the weekend off, too. Much needed. Saturday I fooled around, Sunday I laid around and didn't even get dressed.

Hi Margaret . . . Your experience sounds familiar. I feel the same. It's tough in times like these. But, hey ... it builds character. Goo Post. Keep up the good work.

Aloha

Jim Pycha (R)

REMAX Kauai

Hi Margaret, It seems wierd to enjoy each day and have free time... Even when I'm not busy, I think about how I can help my sellers... Its just the nature of the beast

Two days off is almost a vacation for a real estate agent! Sounds like you enjoyed it.

I don't mind a down market, so long as I have stored enough nuts.

OCT

2008

LOL~ I love the preceding comment, "I don't mind a down market, so long as I have stored enough nuts." How well stated and accurate that is!

Glad you enjoyed your weekend Margaret.

GOOD FOR YOU MARGARET! WE CAN GET SO BUSY WITH REAL ESTATE THAT WE FORGET WHY AND WHO WE ARE REALLY WORKING FOR!

I honestly can not remember the last weekend I took off. I will be traveling to NAR in Florida. I am looking forward to the semi break. I will still have e-mail and cell.

Morning Margaret,

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable, uninterrupted weekend. That doesn't happen too often even in this down market.

As for not earning any money this weekend, Money isn't everything, as Visa says, "Weekend with the family and great memories, PRICELESS!"

Have a great week!

Margaret- Those precious weekends when we are able to take time for us are priceless. Sounds like you had one that was perfect

Margaret, after spending every weekend May through September with at least one real estate appointment and usually many more, these past few weekends have been great and I've had the opportunity to go to two weddings, both off in the countryside (one in Virginia and the other on a farm in Delaware). My wife, who usually teaches dance on Saturdays has also had the time off, and we've really been able to relax a bit. Despite this, I still have a closing this week and another one next week.

It sounds like you've really taken advantage of some of the time off this past weekend. Good for you!

Margaret, Glad to hear you had some time to get away. It was a great weekend here at the beach. It was a bit windy Saturday and Sunday but the sun was out and it was a great day. On like you I was out with clients this weekend but I have the rest of the week to enjoy it.

Margaret I hear you loud and clear! We all need those breaks during the year. Personally I like to recharge the batteries next month and always plan a vacation in November. The weather is cold here in Mass and the activity tails off dramatically...a perfect time to have a get-a-way.

Margaret, you had a wonderful weekend and ACC Football! Your Maryland Terps looked pretty good and messed up my Clemson Tigers this season. Ralph Friedgen is a great coach. Thanks loads! Have a good week.

Hi Margaret,
Every cloud has a silver lining, we just have to look for it, acknowledge it and then enjoy it. You did, good for you. (Now that sounds like a post, hmmmmm)

LOL! Margaret, after a year of it...it gets old! The phones are really dead here. It is a little too quiet!

Margaret, I rarely work weekends, except on the computer. I enjoy time with my family and weekends is when most of us are available. I agree with Jim, I am ready for the phone to ring it is quiet in Ann ARbor too.

Margaret, I think you have a better idea of what to do with your time in a down market than I do. I start building......and developing. Being ex-software developers....I don't have the sense to take a break and enjoy....however the money thing is involved. My husband is starting to get some business on his own, however and so maybe there is hope I can have some down-time. Great post.

Margaret- Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. I know you're ready for the phone to ring now. We all need to remember to take time to smell the roses. It can be so easy to toss it all away to get things done. \

Best,

Scott

Margaret,

Great Post - I'm going to Bookmark this one to keep reminding myself - I love a Down Market too!

Margaret, I agree. I feel so weird if I have a weekend off with my husband. Kind of that nagging feeling of you feel like you need to be doing something or going somewhere. After a weekend all to myself, I really feel rejuvenated.

OCT

2008

Its great to spend quality times with your loved ones. This is a great remainder to some of us who are so obsessed with work that we forget to do anything but work. You didn't make no money that weekend but you had a great time with people who love and care for you-You can't put no price on that. Great blog Margaret.

WOW! Good for you!

Margaret: It just proves that money isn't everything. Taking a break and spending it with family and having a little fun holds its own unique worth.

OCT

2008

Hi Margaret - I think stepping away from the computer and business on the weekend can be exactly what we need to bring a different perspective and approach to how we do things and it's often needed. The benefits of time away with family have often proven to me that I can't be all business all the time and when it comes down to it - my family is the most important thing to me. Thank you for sharing and I hope you have many more fulfilling weekends like this. ~ Anne Marie

OCT

2008

Pink Flamingo

Margaret - I couldn't agree with you more... take advantage of the time you have now and enjoy it. The tides will change and you will be busy every weekend before you know it.

OCT

2008

Margaret...good for you! I'm going to have to figure out how to take a day like this, as long as I don't have to spend any money! Ugh!

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