Home > Blogs > Gary Woltal > Gary Woltal's Blog

The MOST Challenging Part For You In Real Estate Is... ???

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

April 12, 2011 07:18 AM

Red Runner Today instead of sharing or discussing something I might have thought of, learned, or wanted to pass on, I wanted to go into survey mode and ask YOU the readers in your circle what is

The MOST Challenging Part For You In Real Estate?

Times are harder during this period for sure, but what is most challenging for you if you will let me know. Some warmup ideas:

finding qualified leads to work with
growing the business
growing the business profitably
getting buyers prequalifed
setting home selling prices accurately
working with other overbearing REALTORS or Stagers
Office / Broker expenses too high
Getting Sellers to understand the market of buyers and what they are looking for and what they will inevitably buy
Getting sellers to declutter
Picky buyers and how tough it is to get them to narrow things down
Getting a buyer's rep agreement signed and explaining why that representation is good
Office politics / Company policies / Training tools you are forced to pay for but don't want or need
Not enough income. I could make more money doing something else
Rising gasoline prices are killing me at the pump!

So, what about YOU??!!! What is the most challenging part about your job??

Re-Blog

Comments(25)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Karen Baker

Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC

Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Gary ~ Challenging part of real estate ~

Convincing the public that now is the best time to buy ~ low prices, low interest rates, high inventory

Apr 12, 2011 10:15 AM

Lizette Fitzpatrick

Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY

Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

Today my lesson was that people from a different country misinterpret how contracts are accepted. Finally we got it done but it took many extra words.

Apr 12, 2011 10:38 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Gary,

For me it's dealing with agents that have forsaken fiduciary duties for an allegiance to pay-checks-at-any-cost.

Bill

Apr 12, 2011 11:02 AM

Cherise Selley

Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Realtor

Gary,

For Cherise, I know it is trying to carve out time from the business. We're wildly aware of time management principles and the importance of holistic living, yet during this particular season, it's been really tough to squeak out personal time against the busyness and difficulties about this business... g

Apr 12, 2011 11:32 AM

Karen Kruschka

RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA

- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Gary My biggest challenge is educating prospects that sellers not in distress aren't plannibg to let their home be stolen. Everybody thinks making a good deal is when it is all one sided - their side

Apr 12, 2011 11:47 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Well I just have to say Hmmm but for a different reason because I don't know. LOL

Apr 12, 2011 11:52 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

I am loving these answers to your biggest challenge as it seems they are very individualized and also LOTS of unrealistic expectations from buyers and sellers. A big part of our job is bringing everyone back to reality as tough as that might be some days.

Apr 12, 2011 11:52 AM

Mike Wong

Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX

Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

Handling all the incoming leads and business without a capable partner or team.

Apr 12, 2011 12:08 PM

Connie Goodrich

Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX

CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

How about getting sellers to realistically understand the proper price position of their home and the risks of over pricing? I have been on a string of not getting the listing which is very unusual for me. The reason - the seller just want to dramatically over step the price to a point of silly. Not motivated and will not sale if they can't get that price. So I see other Realtors signs go up and I imagine 6 months down the road they still will be there looking like a part of the landscaping by this time. Do I feel I lost the listing ... no because I want happy sellers and to actually make a commission, not spend money for a lost cause. Besides I've had enough practice of listing homes. Fun post Gary!

Apr 12, 2011 12:50 PM

Sally Dunbar

Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

THIS week, it was getting through the horrible HUD offering process. But in general, I would say finding good inventory to sell. In the Sacramento area, our prices have dropped in half. We have a alot of REO's and short sales, but well-conditioned equity sales are few and far between. When you have a buyer who wants a cherry house, it's tough to find. THOSE owners are waiting for their price to come back. That, and holding the video camera still....

Apr 12, 2011 02:44 PM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Gary, Up until about a year ago I would have told you that Houston had not been affected but that is not so any longer. My website leads are on the decline so as a buyer's rep that has become an issue in finding new business. On a side note I have had two buyers who have finally decided it is time to buy after being set up on automatic notification for the last several years so that is very cool.

Apr 12, 2011 03:47 PM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Saying no... that's it in a nutshell.... just saying no!

Apr 12, 2011 04:12 PM

Sondra Meyer:

EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX

See It. Experience It. Live It.

Gary, my biggest challenge is that there simply are not enough hours in the day to do everything that I want to do and need to do.

Apr 12, 2011 05:06 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

More continued thanks for excellent comments. Leads, time management, communication issues with people, team building, saying no (smile), lack of traditional inventory, all GREAT responses....Seems like if we settle our #1 challenge, the next big obstacle pops up right in its place. Keeps life and our business interesting for sure....

Apr 12, 2011 07:42 PM

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD

Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Staying organized. For some reason this year it is harder to keep myself and my life organized. So much extra paperwork. LOL

Apr 13, 2011 04:59 AM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Gary, today I'm struggling with the highs and lows --- got a new listing YAY! closing for Friday - not happening.... BOO!

Apr 13, 2011 10:05 AM

Cindy Marchant

Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN

"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Selling the homes....buyers are very picky right now and want deals. I grow weary asking for price reductions...well below 2006 prices...

Apr 13, 2011 01:58 PM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Gary,

My biggest challenge is convincing some sellers that selling their property for more than the market value will NOT get their home sold. The other is when a property is under contract, working out the differences of the repairs to be done after the appraisal and the home inspection. Some of these can be very challenging.

Brigita

Apr 14, 2011 12:52 AM

Alan Kirkpatrick

Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX

Alan in Austin

Gary:

I always disliked cold calling. Fortunately, I do not have to do much of that these day. Great post.

Apr 14, 2011 02:22 AM

Donna Yates

BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge Mountains

All of the comments above stated better than I could those things that are most challenging. I might add though, seller's who want to restrict showing instructions to the degree that it's self-defeating. If you want to sell your house, really sell your house, then you must make it easy to show.

Apr 16, 2011 01:24 AM