Top Agents Quit Real Estate

Hi Bob~  Like they say, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going!"  It can be tough, and if your heart isn't in it and if you don't have a burning passion for real estate, it is time to get out!  I intend to stay and can't imagine doing anything else, but you just never know what your future holds.  I never dreamt when I got my nursing (RN) license that I would have stop doing that either!

Bob, your title and post caught my eye.  This is very sad indeed.  You wouldn't even want to know what we slop thru in some of our foreclosed property listings!!!

An excellent post and yes, there are "mudholes" everywhere these days in many different businesses.

In this business in the areas hit hard I feel sorry for the agents who always did their job well but are the breadwinner in their families and now can't bring home the bacon.  At the least it has got to be demoralizing and creating upsets in families who are trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.  This mess may go on for a few years before the light starts to shine in the tunnel and find its way out.  It's a very sad situation for many.

Sue of Robin and Sues

Bob, there are some agents who just aren't able or willing to change with the times. This is a more challenging market than many have ever seen. Old timers are dropping out because they don't want the hassle of all the social media uproar. Others are dropping out because they don't want to or aren't able to deal with distressed properties and their owners.

You gave such a good description of what it is like day after day.  To me, it's just not fun anymore.  I've been in the game for 13 years and I'm re-evaluating what it is that I want to do in the immediate future and going forth.  I love sales and I am a sales professional so whatever I do will still be in sales but I cannot say for sure right now that real estate sales will be where you find me.  Best of luck to everyone.

I wouldn't assume that everyone who chooses to leave the business at this time "couldn't" work through the tough market...  I've been threatening to retire for a long time, and it will be a positive choice when I finally do it, not a negative one or reaction to the market.  I'm sure there are plenty of successful real estate agents who get out of the business in any market, for a variety of reasons - health, relocation, family, etc.  And so what if they decide they'd rather garden or golf or whatever than spend time and money in this market. 

Thinning of the Herd...  

For many Realtors in many Markets, there is simply not enough business to justify the time, effort, and expense of plodding on.  

It will be interesting to see what happens in January, when Annual Membership Fees to Local, State, and National Associations come due.  How many Brokers and Agents who are seeing no ROI, will pony up $500 to $1000 plus MLS and Key Fees to stay in the game?

Bob, so many agents are trying to sell real estate the way they used to.  They sit back and wait for the phones to ring and it's not working.  Re-evaluate your business and find what is selling.  Pick up the phone, knock on doors, and blog.  I've not been able to blog lately with our business soaring.  Can't wait to see what next years does for us.

Bob, great advice...and I keep using it in my office.  We need to learn new tricks and not rely on what worked even five years ago.  Great post. 

Bob congratulations on next endeavor and best of luck in future it's a 24/7 and hard work for Realtors.

George

Bob, just watched the Apprentice last night. There's one of those wonder boys from the REALTOR magazine, "30 under 30". No fan of Trump - but, I think I'll watch it while I'm on the sitting on the fence.

Who know's, maybe a buyer will sit down next to me. ;-)

The thinning of the herd is a GREAT thing. Now, what would be even better is if there was a harder barrier to entry when the next upward rebound comes. Hopefully, NAR will treat this business seriously and make it a little harder to become a Realtor. The problem, is they are all about making money, so they want 10billion Realtors in this country paying them dues.

We could easily use a drop of 75% of the licensed Realtors in this country, and we'd still have too many. Unfortuantely, it's the only profession that I can think of that anyone with $300 that can pass an easy test can call themselves a Realor. Pretty sad that it's so easy.

There are two key things I love in this post that really sums up discrouagement in this business, 1) "the sleek sports car" and 2) "easy".  The reason is that many get involved in it thinking it's big incomes that are achieved easily.  I'll be honest and say there was a bit of that with me too at the beginning.  I've found that it's important to get grounded and realize that 1) It's a business and 2) Success never comes without a lot of work.  Today I work with a very focused business strategy that is in-tune with the customer-base that is here not what I hope it to be.  I work to provide real service to customers in the niche that I am passionate about that allows me to provide the best levels of service I can and am excited about being a part of for that customer.  The result is less stress, increased number of contracts, and increased income year over year.  The main thing is that it's not about me.  It's a service business that I have to run, and great service is never delivered for selfish reasons.

To give you an example, I got very frustrated one time because I lost a customer.  They chose to go to another agent.  My husband happened to be out on the appointment with me and saw how the day transpired.  He said to me, "Can I tell you what I saw that caused that to happen?"  I listened although I really didn't want to.  He said, "It's actually simple.  You made that appointment about you.  You thought only about 'contract' and not about that customer.  That consumed everything you did that day and the result was what it was."  It's hard to hear that sometimes, but it was 100% correct and was a learning opportunity and sometimes lessons are learned the hard way.

Opportunity exists in every market.  What separates the survivors from the quitters is the ability to identify and adjust to the volitility.

Bob...

And sometimes we learn that right where we are IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE right now!

In my opinion, its the burden of creditors which makes us stop working and seek employment again....if you don't have the assets to wait months before you get paid it can really hurt....a lot of people don't know how to budget of maybe 4 sales a year? It's hard right now I'm new and I've tought about giving up, but I refuse to let the odds beat me...I'm sadden to hear them go....but we all have to do what we have to do.

Bob, I think it's nice of you to be so understanding of other agents and not bash them or say you're glad they're leaving. I agree: Do what you love, even if it doesn't love you back all the time.

I also saw that facebook post.  It has slowed some in the Sallisaw, OK area as well.  But I've been tossing that question - "Do I stay or do I go", along with the matching music - in my head for well over a year now.  I finally decided that my deciding factor was that I kept finding myself trying to talk myself into going.  (Try to follow that sentence!).  I don't want to leave the real estate industry - I love it!  I am passionate about it!  I dream about it!  So, I finally told myself to shut up.  Things may get tough, and may still yet even get a little tougher, but's that ok, because what i've been learning is invaluable!  (Or at least that's what I tell myself to get myself to shut up every month while sitting down to pay the monthly bills .)  By the way, great post, loved it!