Why Did You Become a Real Estate Agent?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives Associates 00292515

Happy Family in Their Sold HouseAfter nearly 20 years of working in the education field I decided to follow my, "I've always wanted to be a real estate agent," dream.

My strengths have always been in helping others reach their goals. In fact, I love helping others discover their best course of action and then coordinate and negotiate through the rough seas to get them happily to the other side. It's with great satisfaction and pleasure when I sit down with my clients at the closing table as they are finally able to move on to their new, wonderful lifestyle.

I had friends who had gone before me to become agents, their own CEO, boss, sales rep, and support staff in this new world of independent contracting-- who were able to say, "you can do it." After finding a possible broker and getting her, "Sure, I want you!" I pressed full steam ahead without ever doubting I did the right thing.

Now I look back at eight years of steady income (well, steady...on average over a year's time) along with the sweet memories of pleasant people and successful transactions.

So, not only have I had these wonderful experiences in the past eight years, but I look forward to a future of practicing this profession well past retirement age. In fact, in one Realtor® conference I attended, there was a woman who was still working in real estate who was past 90 years old.

 

Comments (25)

Kevin Sembrat
Diversified RCS Inc; http://www.ManhattanPropertiesGroup.com - Manhattan, NY

Hi Cathy,

Great post -- really puts being a real estate agent in a proper perspective!

Kevin

May 15, 2012 10:05 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Retire? that is something I never want to do. I would be bored witless. The joy of being a Realtor is I can keep on going.

May 15, 2012 11:10 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I'm from an education background as well. It serves me well. It's not unusual to see seniors still practicing real estate.

May 15, 2012 12:32 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Cathy, I came into this business at 49. My goal is to work until I'm 70. However, like you I really enjoy helping others accomplish their goals so I'll do this as long as I can.

May 15, 2012 01:07 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks for sharing your story. I have known several educators, who have done very well in this industry. I love the fact that we can work as long as we want to. I may be here into my 70's too.

May 15, 2012 02:39 PM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

At first it was for the woman and wine.

Now I plan to do it for the lasting multi platonic relationships.

May 15, 2012 04:04 PM
Mike Warren
Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Helping people to find the right place for them to make more happy memories is such a fulfilling task as a real estate agent. Such a wonderful blog to share our thoughts and insights on what we do.

May 15, 2012 04:15 PM
William Dillon
Cara Realtors - Bay Head, NJ

Retiring after 26 years as a police officer I've found many of the people skills needed to do that job transformed easily into working with clients. Having a ball!

May 15, 2012 09:03 PM
Vanessa Saunders
Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY
Real Estate | Done Differently

Pleasant people and successful transactions. Definitely at the core of any vibrant RE business!

May 15, 2012 09:11 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Welcome to real estate!  It's fun here.  Kinda crazy, but fun.  I became a Realtor so I could work half days.  Now...  it's up to me which 12 hours of the day I work.  :)  

May 15, 2012 10:14 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730
I have always said that teachers, educators make the best real estate agents. Now I don't know about working until you are 90 though. LOL. Enjoy.
May 15, 2012 11:15 PM
Beth and Richard Witt
Long Island Cash Home Buyer - Center Moriches, NY
Long Island Cash Home Buyer 516-330-6940

We have an agent working full time in her late 70's... She has been doing so for the past 28 years and she still loves it... I think it keeps her young...

May 15, 2012 11:21 PM
Rosalind Nicholas
RE/MAX Condos Plus Corporation, Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Toronto Condo Real Estate Agent, Toronto ON

We have  ‘Seniors’ working in our Brokerage and each of them is doing a great job ……..  I hope to be one of them too …..

May 16, 2012 12:33 AM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Good story and it can be very fulfilling in so many ways.  I plan on working many more years as long as I am capable.  Thanks for sharing.

May 16, 2012 02:04 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Ok. so working until you are 90 is a nightmare for me, not a dream!  :) That being said, in real estate you can control how long you wish to work.

May 16, 2012 03:28 AM
David Burrows
Classic Realty - Fairfax, VA
No Pressure, Just Seriously Devoted to Real Estate

I thoroughly enjoy helping people find the house of their dreams. I appreciate your post today...

May 16, 2012 04:33 AM
Bud & Beth McKinney
RE/MAX UNITED - Cary, NC
Cary/Raleigh/Apex NC - The Team That Cares, RE/MAX United

My story is the same as Myrl's. I owned a trophy shop before getting into real estate. It was suggested to me that I try it out - and now here I am! Congratulations on the feature.

May 16, 2012 04:52 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I got into this business to do something personally fulfilling - getting people into homes so they can live their lives.  It's more rewarding than what I used to do; marketing enterprise software to big companies.

May 16, 2012 08:26 AM
Muriel Lawty
Keller Williams Downtown Seattle - Seattle, WA

Being an educator is a great background for real estate!

May 18, 2012 12:05 PM
Cathy Glass
Realty Executives Associates - Knoxville, TN
Realtor - Knoxville, Tennessee

Thank you all for your comments!! Sounds as though we have many experiences and motivations that are the same. It's my opinion that real estate agent give a very valuable service to the public with our special skill set and the love of helping people.

May 22, 2012 10:29 AM