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Do you ever feel guilty?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty USA - Amherst/Clarence

I took the day off today. 

I had no appointments, the weather was sunny and 80's.  Other things could wait until tomorrow. 

I went shopping.  I bought flowers.  I sat out on my deck.   

Then my cell phone rang and it was Mr. Seller.  He wanted to know exactly what I was doing to sell his home and how I was handling other agents and why is it taking so long to sell.... He made me feel guilty.

I felt guilty that I was sitting on my deck reading a magazine, and not figuring out some way to sell that house!  I know that was irrational because I work hard practically 7 days a week!  I know I deserve a day off. 

Do any of your clients make you feel guilty?

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate
Nope. No guilt for me. Sitting around stewing over why a property hasn't sold in a buyer's market, when you've already done everything you promised, isn't going to make it sell. As a matter of fact, it's more likely to make you ineffective from the stress/pressure.
May 30, 2007 02:56 PM
Renae Fulton
First National Realty - Southaven, MS
GRI
Yes, but I'm trying to do better with balancing between guilt w/work and guilt w/family....I like Lisa's comments above....
May 30, 2007 03:28 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
No -- you deserve to take some time off. REPEAT GUILT is GOOD 10X take a deep breath, repeat 10 more times -- and then enjoy -- You will be even more productive when you take a time out.
May 30, 2007 03:49 PM
Dawn Workman
Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC - Camas, WA
Camas Real Estate Expert, MBA, 480-540-8100
I am a Realtor, and work very hard for my clients, but real estate is not my life.  Now my kids on the other hand, the guilt me on an hourly basis!
May 30, 2007 06:20 PM
Steven Shewell
Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. - Ephrata, PA
The Mortgage Maverick

Let me put it in perspective for you.  I was a Realtor years ago, and I was VERY dedicated to my business and my clients.  I was always available for them and took their phone calls at any hour of the day or night.

Additionally, I was VERY successful.  At the age of 26, I walked in to the local Lincoln dealer, saw the car I wanted on the showroom floor and said, "I'll take that one."  How much do I have to put down to make my payment $300/month, because that is all I want to pay.  He told me I wrote the check, told him to put a moon roof in it and call me when it is done.

During this time, I was living with the love of my life.  I worshiped this girl and would have done anything in the world to make her happy.  I reasoned that I was working so hard so that we would have the best life possible together.

My end result for all of my dedication and hard work?  I lost this girl and have never been the same.  I think of her all the time and wonder what might have been.

However, because of this I learned that my business is my business, it IS NOT my life.  I work hard for my clients but when it is my time, it is my time.  I work hard and I relax just as hard.  I deserve the time off that I take.

If you can honestly look yourself in the face in the mirror and say that you are not putting your best effort into a task, then by all means feel guilty.

If you know that you are doing everything possible to provide the best possible service to your clients, then you deserve any time off that you can spare.  In fact, make it a goal to take more time off to recharge your batteries.  You will find that you are even more productive during the time you are working.

May 31, 2007 12:46 AM
Mary Buchner
Realty USA - Amherst/Clarence - Buffalo, NY
Amherst NY Real Estate, Relocation and Buffalo Homes for sale
Hmmmm  - You guys are better than a shrink!
May 31, 2007 01:10 AM
M A
Boston, MA

Mary,

You have to find time for yourself.  You can't be expected to work ALL the time.  As long as you are putting a whole hearted effort into selling the house.... don't feel guilty about taking some time for yourself.

Thanks for commenting on my "Springfield, MA Real Estate Video" post)

Jan 28, 2008 11:10 PM
Hank Roeters
Platinum Partners Realtors - Darien, IL
They will only make you feel guilty if you let them.
Jan 28, 2008 11:18 PM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate
Wait - 80 degrees in BUFFALO? Was this recently? If so, I would have told the seller you would sell his house when hell Buffalo freezes over again. Take a day off, you don't get too many nice days like this in Buffalo this time of year! Don't feel guilty because it's a crappy market - there are some things you can't control and this is one of them.  
Jan 29, 2008 06:24 AM
Mary Buchner
Realty USA - Amherst/Clarence - Buffalo, NY
Amherst NY Real Estate, Relocation and Buffalo Homes for sale

Carol,

NO, not 80 at this time of the year, I wish!  That was back in May.  If it was 80 tomorrow, probably the LAST thing I would be thinking about was real estate!

Jan 30, 2008 01:53 PM