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Doing Business Shouldn't be so Frustrating!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty MN 502003816
It is one of the "Dirty Little Secrets" no one tells you, but a LOT of people "doing" real estate right now have a full time job doing something else. They are trying to do real estate on their breaks, after work or on weekends. It is frustrating trying to reach these people while trying to put a deal together (or keep one together!)...phone calls, faxes and emails can go unanswered for days at a time. I understand that times are tough right now. The very least you can do is to make sure your clients know you are not a full-time agent and also to let the other people you are dealing with on a transaction know that you are seldom available until after 5 pm. It will cut down on the frustration if we KNOW you won't return calls until evening.

Comments(10)

Sean Carroll
The Get Off Your A$$ Academy - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach
I agree with you. Everyone has to do what they need to do, but if you are going to be a Realtor, regardless of the hours, you need to at least have a system in place to serve your clients and other agents when neccesary.
Feb 07, 2008 08:30 AM
Joe Adams
Major Mortgage USA/Branch Manager - Montrose, CO
wonderful example of why the public is so dissatisfied with our profession right now
Feb 07, 2008 08:36 AM
Mohamed Mekhimar - Accredited Buyers Rep , E-Pro - Richmond Virginia Real Estate
RE/MAX Commonwealth - Richmond, VA
A couple times since I started in this field 3/06 I held a FT graveyard job; to make my appts around that the best I could. I develped a sysytem that allowed me to still give great service. Working daytime FT would have probaly killed my business.
Feb 07, 2008 09:01 AM
Richard Parr
ADT Security Services - Slidell, LA
Home Security Specialist - Greater New Orleans, Louisiana

This has always been a complaint of mine, but this industry was created by the part-time real estate agent.  It will be always difficult to represent professionalism in this industry.  There are so many part-time, some-time, and if-I-have-timers that the professional full-time people have to overcome the unprofessional image. 

That being said, I know some part-time agents that provide better service than many full-timers.  Professionalism is professionalism.  The real problem isn't the time people spend working, but what they do while they are working and their availability to respond in a timely manner.

Feb 07, 2008 09:30 AM
Cindy Lemm
Coldwell Banker Realty - Buffalo, MN
Experienced Coldwell Banker Realty agent
Touche Richard!
Feb 07, 2008 11:54 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Hi Cindy,

I see this is your first post on Active Rain.  Congratulations!!  I just wanted to welcome you to a fantastic Real Estate Industry Network!  Welcome aboard, I hope you'll continue to Blog, and invite others.  

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Feb 07, 2008 03:14 PM
Cindy Lemm
Coldwell Banker Realty - Buffalo, MN
Experienced Coldwell Banker Realty agent
Thanks Brad - I have been doing some digging on the site on my own - it's wonderful to have everything in one place - a "primer" if you will, to figure this fabulous thing out! I can see why people become somewhat obsessed with it. Have a great day!
Feb 08, 2008 02:18 AM
Cindy Lemm
Coldwell Banker Realty - Buffalo, MN
Experienced Coldwell Banker Realty agent
I do too - It was a long time ago, but I also started out part-time, and I would guess that most agents did. This is not the type of occupation that most people just jump into feet first. The thing I have the biggest problem with is the dishonesty (?) maybe that's not the right word - the just not saying anything about it and hoping no one notices that it takes 8 hours or the next day to return a phone call.
Feb 09, 2008 11:16 AM