Why are you in real estate?

My first job was as a clerk at Waldenbooks in Riverside, California. That was way back in high school in 1977, and it combined my love of books with my love of people.

Although I went to the University of Redlands on a music scholarship, I still had incidentals to pay, like buying books to read and music to practice, so I worked at Waldenbooks throughout college as well, acquiring a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music, both in piano performance.

When I graduated from college, though, I was kind of hooked on getting a regular paycheck, wanting a new car, some new clothes, a new tennis racquet -- all the little things in life that, when added up, come to a pretty nice monthly bill.

So I kept working at Waldenbooks and eventually applied for better-paying positions until I worked my way up to Store Manager, working in Riverside, Mission Viejo, and San Diego.

I use my background to start conversations with my Clients, and when they find out that I play the piano and worked for 30 years at Waldenbooks and Borders Books and Music, the conversation gains pace. Eventually, I get asked why I'm in real estate. Just three reasons:

1. Flexible schedule
2. Variety -- people and homes
3. Opportunities to help people

I know many people in my office got into real estate over the last 5-10 years "because of the money." Many of those people, whether they said it honestly or in jest, are no longer in real estate.

I've always thought that money was the wrong reason to do something. If one does what one is capable of doing, and does it well, and enjoys doing it, the money will follow.

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My most recent posts (they'll open in a new window):

1. Gold-spotted oak borer infestations in San Diego County - 2/7/09
2. Take advantage of the weather in America's Finest City - 2/6/09
3. How to use paint in your marketing - 2/5/09
4. Have you seen a boobcat? - 2/2/09
5. A walk along Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, San Diego, California - 2/2/09
6. My white pants client - 2/1/09
7. John Updike, 1932-2009 - 1/31/09
8. Pew Research Center's Top 10 list of most desirable places to live - 1/31/09
9. I find it useful to preview properties before showing them to my Clients - 1/31/09
10. Do you have an ugly house photo to share with the world? - 1/30/09
11. Affordable housing in San Diego County - 1/30/09
12. Who writes your blog entries for you? - 1/29/09
13. Jesse the Maine Coon Cat - 1/28/09
14. Handing out business cards at the cat show - 1/27/09
15. A lost Zoey the Cool Cat - 1/26/09
16. A jury of my peers? - 1/25/09
17. Classical music at President Obama's inaguration - 1/24/09
18. Are you fixin' to, gettin' ready to, or actually doing it? - 1/23/09
19. It's whale watching season in San Diego - 1/22/09
20. Is your house built on a bombing range? - 1/22/09
21. Win a $1.9 million dream home from the Ronald McDonald house - 1/22/09