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THE DOG ATE MY COMMISSION!

By
Real Estate Agent with KELLER WILLIAMS REAL ESTATE, LLC

I'm a dog lover.  We own two basset hounds.  Absolutely adorable.  Most of the time anyway.... yesterday the youngest, "Flash" was not in good form.  He's a chewer and took to the contents of my purse, which was unwisely set on the counter within his oddly long reach when he rears up on his hind legs.  I came upon him, the contents of my purse, and money strewn across the kitchen floor.  Caught in the act, with a $20 dollar bill, or should I say the remains of it, hanging out of his mouth.

After disciplining him, cleaning up the mess, and reveling in anger for about 5 minutes, I thought "what life lesson can I pull from this?"  Yes, the obvious.... NOTE TO SELF - DO NOT LEAVE PURSE ON KITCHEN COUNTER!  But when I thought about it even further, I thought "what are the things that "eat" our profits?

For sellers it could be  unwisely passing up the offer to purchase that just came in, with hopes for an offer just a bit higher.  In the end to find out that another offer won't present itself for 3 additional months, meaning more payments and less proceeds at closing.

For buyers it could be ignoring your gut feeling to go ahead and put an offer in on the house you viewed today, because your head is telling you to wait one more week to see if anything new comes available.  In the meantime, the house goes under contract, and you're left kicking yourself.

For Realtors it could be committing your advertising dollars to product that has proved to be an insufficient means of procuring business.  It could be that you have stayed committed to an office where the tools for success are non-existent, but the monthly fees are super inexpensive. 

The bottom line is: there are many, many avenues for our money to be chewed up....your own "Flash The Basset."  Where is yours going?  I know that I'm keeping a closer eye on mine, and it'll be in a much wiser place than my kitchen counter!

 

Krista Ingram is a Colorado Realtor, and lover of dogs.  Looking for an excellent Realtor in Colorado?  Call her today at 720-281-0079.

Kathryn Tharp
Realtor - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Rancho Cucamonga, Real Estate Specialist
Perhaps keeping a dog bone in your purse would be a good move, just in case.  Great food for thought.
Apr 18, 2008 01:34 PM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana
Yea Krista a bag of dogbones are a lot cheaper than a twenty.
Apr 18, 2008 01:52 PM
KRISTA INGRAM
KELLER WILLIAMS REAL ESTATE, LLC - Littleton, CO

Dog bone in the purse.... great idea!  Thanks for the comment!

Krista Ingram

Apr 18, 2008 01:54 PM
Brian Luce
HomeStarr Realty Inc. - New Hope, PA
Associate Broker

My male Schnauzer "owes me"  about $28 which is the how much he stole and chewed (including a $15 rebate check) before I learned that I have to take money out of my jeans before I just throw them over a chair and go take a shower...!

Gotta' love him though... 

Apr 18, 2008 02:25 PM
Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Rye, NH
NH & Maine Real Estate Seacoast
I guess $20's are pretty digestable - Good fiber!
Apr 21, 2008 05:42 AM
Darleen McCullen
Raleigh, NC
Broker - Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Great analogy, Krista. There are lots of things that "eat" into our profits, including things that waste our time.

Sorry the dog at your $20. Ouch!

Apr 21, 2008 12:21 PM
James Hamby
Southern Classic Realtors® - Monroe, GA
GRI Walton ~ Monroe GA

Great Blog... Note to myself... keep our dogs on the porch  LOL

Enjoyed reading your blog/ great understanding from differnet prospectives.

Onward and Upward!

 

May 05, 2008 04:46 PM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management
We have a dog and I keep telling my wife that all of our problems would be solved if she got rid of the dog.  She does not think I am funny.
May 05, 2008 05:24 PM
Carole Lhuillier
Keller Williams Realty SunCoast - Saint Pete Beach, FL
Our Home Team SunCoast

Great post and I couldn't agree with you more.  Good luck to you in growing your business.

Carole Lhuillier
Keller Williams Realty

Aug 12, 2008 08:29 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Krista

How true it is, that we need to keep an eye on where we put our advertising dollars.

Has this advertising area gave any returns in the month I have been using it.

Thank you, for geting us to stop and think.

God Bless America

Aug 16, 2008 02:03 PM