I've Figured It Out: Real Estate Is Like Being Married

Survival of the fittest, yes, Chris, but some of the migration has been due to sheer unwillingness to do whatever it takes to make it work.

There is, after all, always a way to make it work, isn't there, Sheldon?  I mean, change your business model, change your target market - do something!

That's the perfect attitude, Scott.  That's the attitude of success!

In spite of the trials and rough patches, it really can be rewarding and worth it, can't it Rebecca?

Oh Kelsey, getting a "real job" means you won't have the fun of figuring out how to make it work!  Who wants easy??

Pat, you're hilarious!  I love that, work the hours I choose - any 80 of them!  I also do not have a college degree but I'm sure not hurting right now because of it!  That's the power of being your own boss... Determining your own criteria for who would make a good fit for this position.  Oh, yeah - ME!

You're in a perfect position then, Danielle.  No unlearning.  No regrouping.  Just do what you do!

~Renae

And that's the goal, Kelly. It's like aerobic conditioning training. If you work your legs and stomach really hard on core strength for a few days, when you go back to doing the regular aerobics or even step aerobics, you'll have a much easier time of it because your legs and stomach can endure more.  Easy-peasy!  So once the market shapes up (as we know it eventually will), it will be smooth sailing for you!

But that's the problem, David.  The "let's try it and see" attitude.  Too many couples think marriage is easy and jump in wanting to be grown-ups only to find out that the water really is hot in here.  Similarly, too many people thought "being a real estate agent is easy" and jumped in without testing the waters first (gathering information) and have since decided that it, in fact, isn't quite so easy.  So they're bailing.  Yes, some people just aren't made for each other just as some people really aren't a good fit in a specific job or field.  But don't you think it takes more than 6 months to figure that out?  Or a year?

Even though lately it's been poorer, Zilkia, we know things are going to turn around, don't we?

Russ, as a divorcee myself, I completely agree.  My point is that our society condones and even promotes giving up - in marriage, in our career choices - as the "easy out."  I say that it shouldn't be that way.  Stick with something until you are absolutely sure it isn't going to work.

You've got the right idea, Sandra.  I don't want a job where I can't choose when I work my 80+ hours, as Pat said! hahahaha

Jorge, I never write for featured posts.  I just write.  So, although I don't rightly know exactly why my posts get featured, here is a link to a blog where TLW talks specifically about featured posts.  I hope it helps!

~Renae

A divorce attorney will tell you that divorce isn't even an easy way out, Amy.  Commitment is exactly what it's all about!

Jennifer, you've got the right attitude!

You're right, Kathleen.  Right now we're in the poorer part of it all but it's coming around, isn't it?

Well Julie, I'm not sure if age has anything to do with it! Sometimes I feel like I need to be committed and I've only been here ljkjrjeo years! hahahaha

Wow, Susanne! 20 years!  I'm shooting for that goal myself!

TLW, I see your head but I think you lost your hat!

You're absolutely right Audrey.  As Amy said, it is all about commitment.

Um, not sure Gary.  I'm drawing a blank on that one.  Why DO you think Prison??

~Renae

Sheryl, that's it exactly! If you don't put forth the effort neeed to succeed, you won't succeed.  It's as simple as that.

We're at that phase where we have to get past the past, right Esko? Get over it and move on!

Eileen, don't you think that lots of people say "for better or worse" until it actually gets worse? And then they bail.  Glad you like the cartoon!

I don't agree, Leah.  Every one of us who are in it for the long haul have to put forth the same amount of effort that anyone else will or risk not coming through this at the end.  I wonder why you think you have to work harder than others??  Because you're new to real estate?

And those who don't get it won't last, Jessica. You came in at a great time. You've been taught how to make it work when things aren't easy. So when the market turns around, it'll be cake and ice cream for you!

Truer words have never been spoken, Roland! "You get out of this business what you put into it!"

It's nice to hear from a realtor who is going through it from the other end of my situation, Dean. Thanks for admitting that you've had to cut back on your VA's services. Sometimes, I've felt that it was just me and I was starting to get a little paranoid! LOL  I'm definitely sticking around!

Thanks for stopping by, Lisa Marie!

~Renae

There's nothing wrong with old school, Randy! Being in it for the long haul is the best way to be in it!

Robin, I completely get what you're saying. If things are difficult for those who have alternate sources of income (i.e. a spouse's income), it must be extremely stressful for those agents who are the primary breadwinner.  This is definitely the time to re-evaluate your niche and target market, how you do business, and business expenses so that you can hang in until things turn around.

Barbara, lots of agents use the services of a Virtual Assistant without having a lot of money available.  You should check out Sheldon Neal's post about using a Virtual Assistant.  Thanks for visiting and glad you liked my analogy!

I know how you feel, Olena!  I often find myself trying to figure out if my husband really needs me right now or if I have a few more minutes to spend with my other love.

Glad I could give you a bit of a laugh, Randall!

Hope it gave you a new perspective, Paul.

For better, for bling!  That's too funny, Sally & David!

~Renae

It seems that the winds are shifting now, doesn't it Caren? Facing changes and adapting are the only way to stay in business regardless of the market.

Thanks for commenting, Debra! Glad you agree!

Tina, you're absolutely welcome!

I don't know about everyone else, Bruce & Mary, but I know I definitely spend much more time on my marriage than I do on my business! Family first!

Hmmm, I don't know so much about the bliss part but wedded for sure, Mark! hahahahah  Seriously, you've absolutely got it right! The past rough times in my marriage are definitely something to laugh about and soon they will be in real estate as well.

hahahahhaha  You're hilarious, Dee!  That's a whole different post though, isn't it?? Have I given you a new post topic??

~Renae

I understand exactly what you're saying, Joan. Everyone needs to figure out for themsmselves if staying is the right thing for them. What I'm referring to are the agents who bail or talk about bailing when there is a little more work to be done to find prospects and to get listings sold.  The ones who don't want to even try...

There comes a point in some marriages where you need to go separate ways. I firmly believe that Emily. But as in a marriage, your career in real estate needs to get all you can give before deciding it isn't going to work out.

I'm with you Marian! My husband should have packed up loooooong ago if it were just about bailing when things got tough. But here we still are!

You and me both, Lisa! (In it for the long haul, that is! Oh, but I do love my real estate career!)

Sounds a lot like being a mother than a wife, doesn't it Sandy? You've given me yet another topic to write about.

Exactly, Patricia! On any given day, I'm either madly in love or ready to hit him over the head with a brick. Regardless, I'm still here.

I totally agree, Vickie. Another good one is "nothing good is ever easy."

Oh darn, Phillip!  And I thought this was your year to shine!  Well, I guess you'll just have to shine as an outstanding agent!

You're right, Cindy.  It is just tooooo easy to quit. But so much more rewarding to stick it out!

Simon, I think the problem is that most people don't want to look harder.  Everyone wants the easy road, right?

~Renae

Hey Mark! You sound a little motivated!  Tell me how you really feel!

~Renae