Let's face it...we all feel overworked sometimes.  Overloaded with paperwork, tired of fighting the good fight, dragging into to the office.  The phone feels like it weighs about 40 lbs.

It's part of human nature, and when it happens, you know what its time for: VACATION!  But do you tell your clients?  Is it OK to let those you are working for know that YES- you are human.  You need a break just as much as the next person.  That you too have a family, and needs.

This question came up in conversation yesterday with my Broker and some fellow agents.  I'm interested in opinions here because frankly, I was in the minority.

The general feeling on vacations and time off by my office peers was that clients should NEVER know you are off work.  If you are on vacation, you should still be checking your voice mail.  If a call comes in at 9pm, you should answer that call.  That clients expect those in our profession to be "at the ready" any time, day or night, 365 days a year.  Gee, no wonder agents burn out so fast in this business.

Maybe my approach IS in the minority.  When I am working, my phone is on and my calls are answered.  This includes week days until 8pm, and weekends until 6pm.  But frankly, my family likes to see me sometimes without the phone pasted to my ear.  I deserve private time.  Saturday nights are for my family.  Sunday mornings are for church.  Sundays after 6 are off limits to everyone except my husbad and kids.

And when I go on vacation, unless there is something that absolutely requires MY attention, the work is handled by a trusted co-agent, and my cell phone is OFF, except for the occasional check in.  Thats it.  It is what my family deserves.  It is what I deserve!

I WANT my clients to know I'm human.  That doesn't mean if I am heading off to a soccer game for my son and someone wants to see a house that I say "Gee, I'm headed to a soccer game".  But I will say "Gee, I've got another appointment..how about in a couple hours instead?"  And why CAN'T I tell people I am going on vacation?  Am I not allowed?  I work hard each and every day for my clients and I think they know it.  But that doesn't mean I need to be a 365 day work horse.

Let me get right down to it...if my clients can't or won't understand that in addition to being a darn good Realtor, I am also a PERSON with a private life, they might not be the type of clients I want.

Since when did it become a bad thing for folks to know we are human?

Kelley Weimer

A house "SOLD" name

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohioand beyond, including Eaton, West Alexandria, Lewisburg, Lake Lakengren and Camden.