I am often questioned on why I am not a real estate agent. I suppose I could do it and quite possibly would be great at it but it isn't in my bones to follow that career path.
I just love being an assistant. It's what I do best.
Being a real estate agent takes a certain type of personality, being an assistant to that agent takes a completley different personality. As an assistant, I excel in supporting someone I believe in. The realtors I work for are hard working, knowledgeable and generous people whom I have a great deal of respect for. They appreciate me and in doing so I am always happy to do what I can to assist in their success.
There are always ways to improve and with the onset of marketing on the web there are new sites to sign up for and try out. As an assistant I am always learning new things and better ways of doing things, some of which I have learned just since joining AR.
Also, I have a few years of experience working as an reo administrator, that is, coordinating the listing and sale of foreclosed properties nationwide acting on behalf of the bank. So much was absorbed in that position, from working with attorneys for closings, hiring realtors and keeping in constant contact with them, evictions if needed, to reviewing and signing documents as the seller. Once again though, the job was behind the scenes as the Realtor was put in charge of most of the transaction specially since most of them were handled out of state.
Many assistants are in the position to gain training to become an agent themselves, and while I have absolutely nothing against that, in fact I think it's a great idea, still it is not my style. Perhaps I am an enigma in the real estate world?? It feels as if I am sometimes. I wonder if there are other people out there who excel being the support to successful people?
Does it seem like I lack ambition in being happy with the level I have achieved? I don't feel that way, as I expressed it seems like I am constantly growing within this career, yes I said it, career. The different positions have all been learning experiences and gratifying for my Virgo self. I suppose part of it is the balance it allows me to have with my personal life which is something I know is needed for my sanity but perhaps not for others. I know if I pushed more I could achieve more but at what cost and who is to say it woud make me happier? There are a few realtors in the office who do not even make eye contact with assistants. Not a hello in the elevator or a passing nod even yet they play and joke with the office staff interestingly enough. I am such a people watcher.
Those are mostly rhetorical questions I suppose but feel free to comment if you feel so inclined.
I just read the above and realize it reads a bit like a resume, my apologies that was not my intent. It is more of a reflection and personal affirmation towards being happy in this place I am in at the moment.
My questions to the people of AR:
1. Do you have a balance with personal life and business or are you the person who is never satisfied with what they have and striving for the next level? Neither necessarily being wrong, are you basically happy with the place you are in?
2. Do you look down on people who do not have the same or higher level of what you consider achievement or success or ambition for it?
3. Do you treat people who support differently then the people they support? What about the assistant of the agent on the other side of a deal, is that person spoken to with respect?
The reason I asked the last question is because I used to work for a realtor who absolutely hated talking to other agent's assistants and spoke openly to me about it. She hated assistants. Ironically, I was hers and she was appreciative of me. I found that rather odd and some days downright uncomfortable but I kept my peace about it.
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