"Real" Real Estate vs. "Virtual" Real Estate - How to fit BOTH into a 24-hour day...
Most people on ActiveRain will agree that "Virtual" Real Estate CAN lead to new business in "Real" Real Estate (i.e. income-producing business) - It certainly has for me! It also CAN be addictive. It CAN detract from other priorities in our lives like family time (Is ActiveRain Your Significant Other?) and doing activities that directly produce income, like prospecting, follow-up and showing property.
So this is the question we all face: How can an ActiveRain member be a valuable contributor and participant while maintaining balance with other priorities?
I can't answer that question for anyone else, but I've come to a conclusion for myself. It's DISCIPLINE. Kinda like saying "No" to that yummy-looking dessert and "Yes" to a walk around the block. The truth is that I'll enjoy and appreciate ActiveRain more if it's something I look forward to, and not something I'm feeling guilty about because it's taking over my life.
A few days ago, I was exchanging emails with Brad Andersohn and said something to the effect of this: I've gotta focus on "real" real estatei now (meaning at that exact moment, not in general) . But then he replied that he had to get back to his "virtual" real estate. This brief exchange helped define my dilemma.
I LOVE "virtual" real estate, but too much of a good thing is not good for anyone, and maybe that applies to this pastime I enjoy so much - one that has produced live warm-bodied clients for me and many thousands of dollars in commissions, not to mention many new friends around the country.
While income-producing (real) real estate CAN include "virtual" real estate, it MUST still include the basics, as well:
- Prospecting and follow-up
- Listing property
- Showing and selling property
- Writing and presenting contracts
- Handling negotiations
- Continuing ed classes
... not to mention preparation time for all of the above and administrative details that go with those activities. These basics cannot be sacrificed for "virtual" real estate if I want to make any money in this profession.
I guess some people have figured out how do all of this without leaving their computer chair, but I haven't. I still have to get up and get dressed in professional attire, go meet live warm-bodied clients, and do all those other things necessary to produce income.
After having this little conversation with myself, I decided to make it official: At 9 a.m., I'm logging off of "virtual" real estate to practice "real" real estate. If a post is unfinished, it will wait until the next day. The opportunity to log in at night will be totally conditioned upon my contacting at least five current, former or prospective clients that day. Since I'm gonna want to sign in to ActiveRain again for reading and commenting, this should give me the incentive to do what I MUST to succeed in real estate... prospect and follow-up.
(And maybe I'll add that much-needed exercise to my self-imposed requirements. LOL)
I'm not suggesting YOU should do this... only that I plan to try out this routine. If it helps provide balance in my life, I'll let you know. It may also produce more commissions - I hope so.
With four decades in real estate, you'd think the basics would be habit for me by now. But who knew that "virtual" real estate would come along and tempt me to spend every waking moment online!
Okay, folks, it's 9:00 a.m. Signing off now...
Images: iclipart.com and istockphoto.com
Copyright 2009. Margaret Woda
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114
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91 Comments on It's 9 a.m. and Time to Log Out
Margaret - Happily, I have been really busy lately reaping the fruits of my efforts here at AR and elsewhere, so I have been forced to exercise more discipline, I guess.
Thanks this post comes at a great time for me. i have to decide on a time to log off and get busy on real estaTE AS WELL.
Margaret- Well as you can see it is going on 11pm for me and I am here on Active Rain. But there was a time when it was 11am and I was here. I too had to dicipline myself by doing the 'getting out, making calls etc first and saving AR for the evening. Of course sleep has become less and less a part of my schedule so who knows I may be revising once again. Great post. And you did it without stirring up the hackles of Lenn LOL
Margaret, it is all about moderation and not succumbing to the temptation of being on AR 24/7 as it can be that much fun. Real people pay real bills and those are the facts. Great reminder post as to time management and what I should be focusing on a lot more. Take care and happy blogging!
Margaret, it's so good to hear a voice of reason~I so have to listen to you. It does begin to feel like an obligation at times and I know there is life that I'm missing. So, thank you. And, night, night!
Later in the rain~Deb
Margaret, I guess we all can't be Lenn! LOL My broker is dubious of people who say they make a living off their web site. Well, now I know a few of them thanks to AR! And you are one of the successful ones with much business from here. I like the incentive of contacting the 5, then the AR reward. Thanks for the tip boundary. :)
Margaret: As always I like your style. I love virtual real estate too and being the introvert that I am, it's easy for me to get way too comfortable with trying to conduct business that way. But, I found out through one of the toughest years (2008) that it absolutely takes "real" real estate and so, I've been away from AR for awhile, dropping in on occassion when I can. I've missed it but there's just not enough time in the day which led me to a very similar conclusion that you wrote about. Just today, I wrote out a work schedule for balancing "real" real estate, virtual real estate and just some darn personal time (not much) just a little. When I see that it's something you are doing too, then I know I'm on the right track.
Margaret... you said it... it's all about discipline.
Margaret, Absolutely true! One has to set up parameters for "virtual" real estate so that "real" real estate has the time, commitment, and follow through. This really hit the spot. Thanks so much, Olga
Thanks for all your support! It looks like some of you feel my pain. LOL. This morning I didn't get online at all for the first day in ages, so I'm sneaking back a little early while I have a few minutes. Thanks again for your support... I wouldn't dare come online or post now in mid-day or you'll be slapping me on the wrist, and that's okay.
I totally agree with you, Margaret. AR was getting the best of me, not my clients and potential clients. I'm just beginning to realize this and have cut back but I do like to come back now and again and catch up. Thanks for the good topic and post.
When I think of something to write about for my community and real estate blog , I do it - and then I wait to publish the article to my blog on the M-W-F schedule I established over a year ago. I don't follow this perfectly, but I aim for Community info on Monday, Real Estate info on Wednesday, and some Random Topic on Friday. There are exceptions, of course, such as the monthly Market Report - but this routine results in consistent new material without taking over my life.
Very good... and a point that the most dedicated blogger must tackle. I limit time to the least productive moments. Like hey- during the holidays... or hours in which you can't really show property.
Hi Margaret, I think this is a problem we all share and definately one I struggle with. I like your idea and I'm going to see if I can get more disciplined.
Margaret- It was my goal when I went back online in March of 2007 to be 100% virtual within 5 years. The day that I quit BNI after many many years was a sad/happy moment. Happy because the reason I quit was because I was getting more closed business and more prospects online than offline networking.
Now about 90% of of my business is virtual in both real estate and coaching.
Now I am happy when Nestor says to me; what can I do honey to keep you online! Our phone rings when I am online.
90% of our listings are done over the phone and internet.I just need to clone myself:)Last week we had to go out to be interviewed for an expired, a 3.1 Million dollar listing, that we got from our mailing. We got the listing.
We no longer show buyers homes, but most all our buyers are from our online marketing and finding our listings online. We now have 2 buyers agents and they are now telling us they are so busy, we will need to hire a third one.
We have others to do the leg work, lockboxes, etc.
So at the most I have to get dressed up and put my makeup on once a week. It helps to have Nestor as my partner because he is the accompanying agent on our high end properties.:) He even goes grocery shopping for me so I can be online:)
I am looking for more time to be online not offline:)
Margaret- You bring up some good points. Though Katernia's comments above mine show that being online all the time can be successful too. I think the key is to build our businesses the way we want them to be structured and work hard to make our business model work.
I have had clients who only want to look at houses online while I am on the phone with them answering questions that pop up. Others want to only look at houses in person without any tech (email, web etc.) information provided. In either extreme I have been able to adapt to make the client comfortable. I am in the process of setting up my business to be as automated and virtual as possible. I feel that having software and systems in place to manage the back end work will allow me to concentrate on what I do best as an agent. Making clients comfortable with the process of buying or selling a home.
Whatever we decide on we have to stick with either virtual or "real"
Best wishes,
Scott
Congratulations on the Featured Post. Loved it. You are absolutely right that you must be able to balance the two. Spend too much time behind your computer and you are not getting the face time that you really must need (IMHO).
This is great blogging. Isn't it true that we have to be disciplined to keep up with what counts most at any given moment. I'm just starting to blog and love reading all the other comments that I can relate to and pick up some really good ideas. It's inspirational and great go-get them and close them ideas I like. Catherine Kierzek, Re/Max Realty 100-Milwaukee It's a Good Life!
What a great post Margaret....I need to follow a little more regimented daily routine also. Thanks.
Margaret,
Amen sister! I'm with you on this one. Let us know how you're progressing.