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I Am NOT Quitting My Day Job

By SarahGray Lamm

Real Estate Agent with Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199

March 21, 2009 01:21 AM

I’m getting tired of the question. Not that I hear it often from the folks around me but the other day I watched a television reporter interview a married couple, who live in one of the economically harder hit areas of the country, how they were coping; what they do for a living. When the husband replied that he is a real estate agent, the reporter looked incredulous and said “You’re STILL a real estate agent? Haven’t you even CONSIDERED doing something else?!” television reporter

I was glued to the television, praying he would say I don’t know..the national viewership of mainstream television has been trending downward for awhile now. When are YOU gonna give up being a tv reporter? Let’s just say he didn’t. I didn’t honestly hear much of the interview after that for the blood running through my ears. What kind of a question is that?

I know you’ve heard it. Well meaning friends, family, new acquaintances…it’s in the ‘special’ way they say ‘so, how’s real estate’ even if it isn’t a direct question. Well, here goes. Here’s my answer just so we can all be clear about it.

I LOVE selling real estate. I’ve done nothing to put bread on my table or save for retirement since graduating from UNC except sell real estate. I’ve owned my own company, managed other’s companies, been on every conceivable board and committee in my industry and after 29 years I’m still selling real estate. Do you ask your doctor why she is still in medicine, what with the high cost of insurance and all?

I will not quit doing something I love just because the going gets rough. Heck, I started when interest rates were at 18%. We may not be what caused this ‘housing crisis’ but we’re sure as heck gonna be what gets us OUT of it. As someone I admire pointed out recently, it’s up to us. The government isn’t going to fix this so let’s not wait for them to. If a million Realtors sold a million homes tomorrow there would BE NO ‘housing crisis’! Why would I quit when tomorrow I could be a hero just by doing the thing I love doing most?

If you have what it takes (and I KNOW you do) stand up here with me proudly and say I DARE you to ask me why I’m still a Realtor…out loud and proud! Everybody now! I AM NOT QUITTING MY DAY JOB!

Now, what kind of a house are you and your family looking for?

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SarahGray Lamm

Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 - Chapel Hill, NC

Realtor - 100K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience

@ Tina - Makes ya feel a little taller, doesn't it? ;-)

Mar 21, 2009 01:48 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

You tell them Sarah. Your determination makes you a great role model for others!!

Mar 21, 2009 01:58 AM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I always say - Don't feel sorry for me, give me a referral! Well said.

Mar 21, 2009 02:00 AM

Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary

LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL

First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

That would have been a great response to say to the report why werent you interviewed :) Good blog people look at me when I tell them Im in real estate I tell them I have had the best year ever and gearing up for another one.

Mar 21, 2009 02:13 AM

Matt Listro

National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro - Vernon, CT

Your Credit Repair Expert

Hi Sarahgray: Loved the post! It is great when you love what you do!

Mar 21, 2009 02:44 AM

Tim and Pam Cash

Crye-Leike (Sango) - Clarksville, TN

Real Estate Professionals - Clarksville TN

Sarah, great post. Keep driving forward. The media is a part of the problem we are facing today. Realtors can and do still make it happen and provide a valuable service to the community.

Mar 21, 2009 02:45 AM

Anonymous

Sarah - great attitude. It is tough but only the strong survive....

Mar 21, 2009 02:46 AM

#14

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop

NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA

A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Sarah, you are truly a girl after my own heart. I love your spunk and dedication. (And I'm flagging this for a feature!)

Mar 21, 2009 04:18 AM

SarahGray Lamm

Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 - Chapel Hill, NC

Realtor - 100K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience

@Colleen - WOW, I'm humbled and thank you!

Mar 21, 2009 05:39 AM

Ilyce Glink

Think Glink Media - Chicago, IL

Best-selling author, award-winning TV/radio host.

Sarah- You have an awesome attitude! So inspirational! Thanks for giving us all a kick in the pants!

Mar 21, 2009 07:03 AM

Wendy Welborne-Kimery

Keller Williams-Lake Norman Mooresville,NC - Mooresville, NC

I'm with you girl. Doubt is to a person like foreclosure is to a home. I just heard that this week.

Mar 21, 2009 10:47 AM

Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS

Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC

Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Excellent post Sarah. Lee and I are both full time Realtors® and love our career. Just because you're in a boat and the weather gets a little choppy you don't jump ship - you weather it out, and that's just what we're doing. I really like your comparison to the doctor and I'm sure I'll get the chance to use it. We're definitely working some things a little differently, and a little harder and smarter maybe, but we're committed and believe we'll be better and stronger for it. Again, great post and positive attitude.

Mar 21, 2009 10:55 AM

Michele Kurelich

Triangle Home Staging & Design/Lasting Impressions - Raleigh, NC

Raleigh Home Staging and Design

Well said! If it's you are passionate about what you do nothing will stop you even the economy! You just have to find new ways to keep doing what you love. Adding skills, education and positioning yourself in a down market is better then just sitting still and waiting for change. We are growing as a company in a down market and are not waiting for things to turn around. When the going gets tough the strong will get stronger!

Mar 22, 2009 05:50 AM

Kelly Bovi, Charlotte Area Real Estate

NavMak Enterprises, LLC - Charlotte, NC

Great post, just the kick in the pants I needed today!

Mar 23, 2009 01:05 AM

Diane Grogen, Qualifying Broker, e-PRO, TRC

Marathon Realty, LLC - Deming, NM

Great post! I agree 100% I love selling Real Estate and would not be happy doing anything else.

Mar 23, 2009 05:27 AM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

The real professionals stick with it in the thick and the thin. You've just defined yourself one more time.

Mar 24, 2009 10:29 AM

Jean Terry

Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg, S.C. - Spartanburg, SC

Great post, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Mar 26, 2009 04:09 PM

Harrison Painter

GoGladiator Media - Carmel, IN

New Media Consultant

Very inspiration post! Thank you for sharing this.

I wish you nothing but success in 2009!!!!

This is the greatest business in the world!

Have a Profitable Day!

Harrison Painter

Harrison Painter - Gladiator Real Estate Investments - Indianapolis For Sale

Apr 04, 2009 07:54 PM

Sandra Jasavic

Montenegro Realty - Astoria, NY

Sarah,what a great post.I love yor attitude and I am with you 100 %

Apr 16, 2009 08:26 PM

Kerry Lucasse

eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA

Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

Well said, Sarah. I've had several family members ask me if I am looking for another job and it makes me CRAZY! I know that the real estate market in their area is much worse than the Atlanta market, but when you love what you do, you find a way to MAKE IT WORK!

Apr 21, 2009 02:50 PM