I wrote this blog a couple of months ago, but decided to hold off on posting it until now. I felt compelled to post it in response to Linda Scalan's post - Why My Friend Won't Join Active Rain. I too was feeling some of the same concerns as Linda mentioned when I first joined Active Rain, but since I don't intimidate that easily, those feelings did not hang around too long.....so here I go - up on my soap-box once again.
Question:
How many of you are running other businesses/working other jobs in addition to working in Real Estate ?
Hello all! My name is Tina Little-Coltrane, and I am a NC Realtor who also happens to be a Small Business Owner. I own and operate All About Cleaning, a Residential and Commercial Janitorial service as well as, MedBill Office Services which provides Income Tax Prep/E-filing services.
I have read a few other posts from Real Estate Agents on this site and others who seem to feel that the only way you can do a good job in Real Estate, is to work exclusively &/or "Full-Time" as an Agent/Broker. They seem to feel that if you can not or choose not to commit exclusively to Real Estate that we should drop our RE buffs, get lost and "let the full-time pros handle all the business"!
Well since that's not going to happen, I would like to shed a little light on the flip side of that coin by saying-please get a grip,"One Size Does Not Fit All"!
Everyone's goals and aspirations are not the same. Every market area, buyers, sellers and investors are not the same. I personally do not have a desire to become a "Million Dollar Real Estate Producer". If that is your heart's desire, then God Bless, Good-Luck and keep it moving but please stop making comments that suggest that if we don't work exactly like you or in the same capacity as you, we can't do a good job.
In my humble opinion, here are the makings of a good agent:
Good work ethic, honesty, industry knowledge, pride in your performance, excellent communication skills, a commitment and desire to help people, not afraid of a little or a lot of hard work and performing due diligence
These are some of the major key factors involved to getting the job done in a professional and successful manner, not whether you are a full time or part time real estate agent.
Can you meet these qualifications is the question. Cuz dare I say...just being a "Full Time" Agent...does not a "Qualified Agent" make!
Again I say "One Size Does Not Fit All" Now I can understand the frustration that some agents feel when they are in a situation when they are fulfilling their responsibilities in a transaction and the other agent is derelict in their duties or just plain lazy with their responsibilities. Irresponsibility falls on that particular agent. Being Part time or Full time may or may not have anything to do with an agent's performance. A slacker is a slacker is a slacker, not always based upon how many hours someone works.
There is a lot of hard work, time, money, continuing education, etc. etc. that goes into being successful in the Real Estate industry. Most people and new agents coming in do not have a clue to what all is involved while working in this industry and are in for a big realty check when they get here.
I have much respect and admiration for those successful agents who have built an honest business with much hard work, commitment and staying power by choosing to work exclusively in the Real Estate Industry, much love to you, but again I say "One Size Does Not Fit All". What blows smoke up your skirt does not necessarily tickle all the rest of us.
Many agents are like me, very diversified with other interests. We love the Real Estate industry, want to work it but just on a smaller scale. We don't have big dreams of Real Estate grandur and that's ok for us. Doesn't mean we are not capable of performing due diligence with the few prospects we have. If I can close 1-2 transactions per month, I'm happy. I am not trying to conquer the Real Estate world. I keep up with industry and law changes, educational issues, marketing ups/downs, networking - (Activerain is #1), just like the big boys. My main objective is to meet my client's needs, not how much money am I going to make. Don't get me wrong, money is nice, I like money but Real Estate is not the only way I choose to earn a living. "One Size Does Not Fit All".
Real Estate is such an interesting industry and I enjoy helping people with the purchase or sale of their homes so if I can have a few $$Cha-Ching$$ moments in the process, why not? As long as I offer a professional, respectful and competent service for the few clients I may have, who cares whether I work full-time or part-time. "One Size Does Not Fit All". For me, regardless of which business my clients come to me from, Real Estate, Income Tax or Janitorial, meeting my client's needs, providing excellent customer service and a job well done is my main objective and the only way to do that is through honesty, integrity, knowledge and hard work, not whether I'm part time or full time. "One Size Does Not Fit All".
Would love to hear from other Agents who have other business ventures outside of Real Estate.....what say you?
This is Tina...now stepping down off the "Soap-Box"
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