Some people ask me what I do in a typical day. No two days are alike. For example yesterday I met with a new client who is a seller and listed her condo with me. From the moment that she signs papers I work as a transaction broker meaning that in the State of Florida the default relationship is one of a transaction broker unless the principal and agent agree to a single agent relationship.
For those people who are looking to buy in Florida and are like me and want to see data for themselves... here is the link to the Florida Statutes that govern real estate agents' activities in the State of Florida:
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/re/statutes.html
Being a realtor ® means that there is another level of expectations. Members of the National Association of Realtors ® agree to a very strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice:
http://www.realtor.org/MemPolWeb.nsf/pages/Code
Those people who know me know how I joke around (because I like to make people laugh) about how we are required to abide by this strict Code of Ethics while many politicians are not. In addition to abiding by the laws of Florida, we are also required to abide by these rules and if we violate the Code of Ethics our license and thus our livelihood can be taken away.
In any case every day when I am working in real estate honesty and integrity are foremost in my mind. Today it surrounded me as I did the following:
- 7 a.m. Woke up. Drank some coffee. Packed my lunch, snack, and water. Kissed my husband "Goodbye."
- 8 a.m.: Drove from my home in New Port Richey to my Clearwater office which is about a 45-minute drive in rush-hour traffic
- 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.: Appointment. Checked my email with my Blackberry.
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Worked in Clearwater office. Checked my email with my Blackberry.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Picked up key from new client for listing of her condo which happens to be the only condo for sale in that community and ate a snack (an apple)
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Put lock box on door of newest listing. Took some pictures but must return on Thursday or Friday to take more pictures. Returned phone calls.
- 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Stopped by Tarpon Springs office. Appointment to meet with a buyer. Picked up my mail.
- 5 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.: Six people left voice mails while I was driving. Returned phone calls. Received an offer on one of "my" listings. Called seller. Sent offer via email.
- 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Respond to emails. Update blogs.
- For the rest of the day: Fit in a 30-minute walk with my husband and three dogs, workout at the gym, dinner, chores, read, respond to emails, and hopefully relax for at least half an hour LOL
I try to get to bed by midnight... but lately I usually get to bed by 2 a.m. Of course this is not what people see: We pay for our own gas, stamps, office fee, papers, membership fees, Multiple Listing Service fee, etc.
In my opinion it would shock some people. However those of us who are in the "trenches" so to speak experience it.
In the future since some people have asked me I will post my mana'o (thoughts) of the steps to take when looking for an agent to represent you when you are looking for a realtor ®.
A hui hou (until next time)
~ Lana Robbins
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P.S. By the way I took the picture above while my husband was driving :-)
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