I've had a rough couple of weeks. As I lay in bed last night, I thought maybe it was time for a follow-up blog to one I did a few weeks ago, Ten Lessons in Ten years as a Realtor.
So here are ten things I STILL can’t get the hang of, even after ten years. I’m sure many of you will be able to relate!
1. It still BLOWS when a deal falls apart. Yes, I know there is a next. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. I took last week off, after having 4 deals recently fall through, and thousands of dollars in commissions down the tubes. Ugh. My husband never used to understand why I would get so upset. I told him…”Imagine going to work for a month, two months, and working your butt off, only to get to the end and have someone tell you thanks for your hard work but we aren’t going to pay you”. Same thing. I don’t scream or pull my hair out anymore, but yeah, it STILL stinks.
2. How hard do I push? I have lost business for being TOO pushy. And I have lost business for not being pushy enough. There is a fine line here, and I am never quite sure how close to get. It seems I can’t win for trying with some people.
3. Walking away from an overpriced listing. I have had moments of total clarity here, where I knew it was just NEVER gonna happen, so I wouldn’t take the listing. And yet, sometimes I still cave. It’s the voices in my head I tell ya…the ones that say “you can get a price reduction later”, or “sooner or later these sellers will wise up”. Case in point – I JUST had a deal fall through because the house I was selling did NOT appraise. Hmmm. As much as I would love to blame the appraiser, it’s not like I didn’t know at the get-go this was overpriced.
4. Secret agent-man. I know, I know. Real estate IS a contact sport. But gee, sometimes I just want to go to the soccer game or Wal-mart without wearing the real estate hat. To just be ME. And have I missed opportunities because of my need to sometimes go incognito? You betcha.
5. TAXES. Da-da-da-dum. GUILTY!!!! I go in for the yearly slap on the wrist from my accountant for not making my estimated tax payments like I should. Sometimes it comes down to tough choices…pay the mortgage or make a tax payment? Hmmm??? And sometimes I just like to keep that wad of cash in my wallet, instead of giving to the IRS. Not that I have ANY issue at all with the IRS. I love them and respect all that they do. J
6. Prospecting. The dreaded “P” word. I can be the queen of prospecting. I can also suck. Big time. I have a habit of getting a lot going in the pipeline and then I just STOP with prospecting. It is something you think I would have learned by now-to be consistent. But no, I’m not.
7. Scheduling. Gee, and I wonder why my income is so inconsistent sometimes?? Even though I have read about the many benefits of keeping a schedule, have I ever stuck to one? Nooooo. Maybe my self-diagnosed ADHD just kicks in. I might have the best of intentions and then….”Look, squirrel!!” Well, something like that.
8. Thin skinned and loving it. I know what I said before, that friends and family will screw you over. And they will. And I KNOW it. But I still hurt. I do not have a thick skin. I suppose this can be an advantage. I have a big heart and I THINK people know I care. Most do. But this thin skin of mine has taken a beating or two in this profession. Ouch.
9. Buyers are liars. How many times have I heard THAT quote? About a million. And HOW many times have I spent weeks showing buyers nice country homes, only to find out later they purchased a nice condo in the city with another agent? Well, thankfully not millions of times. But enough. More than enough.
10. Maybe the biggest thing of all in 10 years that I STILL don’t do – BLOGGINGON ACTIVE RAIN. Once again, my inconsistency has most likely cost me. I THINK I can write. I enjoy it. Heck, I have even had several featured posts. But do you see me posting on here everyday like I should be? No. Too busy, too lazy, too…hey look, squirrel!
You get my point J
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