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Ask An Ambassador: Recalculating...

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Yesterday morning I was driving to a routine cardiologist appointment.  I'd left maybe too early (but I hate being late to anything...Navy training sir!!), but that became a moot point rather quickly as traffic on the interstate slowed across all lanes and the overhead ARTEMIS system announced (Right 2 lanes blocked 3 miles ahead).

From that point of notification, there were about 5 quick choices to be made as alternative routes to get to my destination, so just like my old GPS system, some recalculating was in order, shift routes or stick to my original plan?  Having lived and worked in the area for over 30 years, I had the information I needed to make that decision (stick to my original route, I was still 10 minutes early).

Right now there MAY be some major upheaval coming in the real estate business, OR it just may be much ado about nothing by the time it's all said and done.

If you have experience in the business, you've been through markets up and down and sideways, seen the Chicken Little proclamations (which rarely come true), and know how to evaluate your options.

Stand pat?
Adjust your marketing slightly?
Radically overhaul your entire business?
Double down on a key aspect of your business?
Blog more? (or less?)
Find an additional income stream?
Trim expenses?
Call it a career?

The information in this community can help you evaluate.

There's a huge amount of been there, done that, experience from your fellow Rainers.

The options are there.

Recalculating...

 

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
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Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
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Comments(20)

Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Excellent post regarding taking the time to recalculate, re-evaluate, and re-assess. 

Nov 14, 2023 11:40 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Well, we are in REal estate :)

Nov 14, 2023 11:46 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

If I’m not 10 minutes early, I feel I’m 10 minutes late Bill. (It is  that Navy that inspired that.) My wife and I differ in recalculating or preparing before you get to an exit thus we spend a lot of time burning excess carbon fuel. I’m a planner 🧐

Nov 14, 2023 12:08 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Between my dad being ex-Army and Navy training, no reason to change a habit :)
I personally prefer to map out and plan my trips for new places.  I don't totally trust GPS systems (ever try to show a home in a new construction subdivision and realize directions took you to the center of the nearest town because it didn't know where to go?).

Nov 14, 2023 12:48 PM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Excellent post.  And you are so right!  It is time to recalculate our futures.

Nov 14, 2023 12:21 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

And maybe nothing needs to change, but always good to assess if what we are doing is working, if expenses are justified, etc.  Things that worked for years may stop working, and recognizing that shift is important.

Nov 14, 2023 12:48 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - although I lack any military experience, there seems to be "something" about that ten minutes early rule that is a part of my life too.  Stuff happens and traffic too so moments of adaptation play a role.   

Nov 14, 2023 01:06 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

In an area such as yours, taking into account traffic has to be a huge consideration.

Nov 14, 2023 02:46 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Sometimes you just need to recalculate and recalibrate where you are in life, and then take a breath and come back stronger.

Nov 14, 2023 05:27 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Sometimes, other times we may realize we're on the wrong road altogether.  Time to regroup and plot a new path.

Nov 14, 2023 07:23 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bill- what an excellent analogy!!!  I am a huge fan of maps and looking them over thoroughly before I travel somewhere I've not been. While I love our GPS, when we go on a road trip we always have a Road Atlas in the car so we can see the bigger picture. This came in handy on a trip from FL to Houston when I-10 going west was shut down. If you've been over the stretch where there is nothing but swamp on both sides of the road then you know how important the maps are. 

Nov 14, 2023 06:53 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Sound like you were in prime gumbo territory in the Lake Charles to Lafayette area :)
And I keep an old Rand McNally that is minus the cover behind my seat for long trips.  Besides, the last 50 miles to my parents' house in West Virginia has no cell service, so my map function on my phone becomes worthless.

Nov 14, 2023 07:24 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I am like you in that respect and hate being late to places, haha.  I would much rather be a half hour early than one minute late.

Nov 15, 2023 02:12 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Early is good, I can always do something on my phone if I'm early.

Nov 15, 2023 09:38 AM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty LLC
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Hi Liz and Bill 🏡,Your post brilliantly captures the essence of strategic thinking in real estate. The ability to recalibrate and adapt to market changes is crucial, and your experience offers valuable lessons for others in the industry. Your insights are a great resource for anyone looking to navigate these waters. #RealEstateAdaptability #StrategicThinking 🔄🔑

Nov 15, 2023 04:41 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

A lot of life experience helps.  I know young real estate agents can succeed, but it has to be harder without a lot of the been there, done that drill.

Nov 15, 2023 09:39 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

So many options to consider as we navigate through the market. This is really a lot of turmoil between low inventory, high rates and now the litigation.  I suspect that there are lots of agents who will pivot to a new career as the definition of our service is rewritten

Nov 15, 2023 05:25 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Same old same old, it's complicated, the big difference is exactly what is complicating it now vs. in the past (lots of short sales as an example).

Nov 15, 2023 09:40 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Liz and Bill Spear - My father was a Navy Man who served in WW2; my spouse from the time he came back to the states when he was honorably discharged was Army, serving 1 year in Korea followed by Vietnam. Is there no doubt I was conditioned to be punctual? Disciple, punctuality, obedience, loyalty, and learning to think on my feet without breaking rules and getting into trouble is engrained into who I am. Finding alternate ways to routes (before GPS), taking the high road, not the low road, and taking roads not traveled has been beneficial. This business we are in, like any business has no guarantees. Everyone needs to have back-up plans and keep learning. Your post is very though provoking and necessary. 

Nov 15, 2023 06:07 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

That life becomes a habit, and a very helpful habit that helps me shift priorities as needed.

And if real estate goes cataclysmic...well I'm fairly close to retirement :)

Nov 15, 2023 10:20 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

This is one of those times when I am simply not sure what the future of real estate holds. 

Nov 15, 2023 09:46 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

My planned future is to move next year and go referral only.  And if going referral only stops making sense, I can shut down the blog and the websites if need be and just enjoy the sunsets over the valley.

Nov 15, 2023 10:21 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello Bill Liz and Bill Spear - While I did not serve in the military, my father did and he was a very strict disciplinarian.  This dates back to the days when parents spanked their kids! 

Being late is not my thing.  I find it rude and disrespectful when others keep me waiting. I digress. 

I do the same as you when I am on the freeway and see all 5 lanes come to a stop.  

Recalculate?  Stay where I am or get off and take surface streets to my destination.  Knowing the roads like I do, taking surface streets is an easy decision.  I likely would not do that if I were in an area I am unfamiliar with. 

 

Nov 15, 2023 12:59 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I consider it the same to be late, disrespectful.  I know things happen, but when it's a regular thing, I start to question whether the working relationship should continue.  Stiff me completely on a showing and we're probably done.

Nov 16, 2023 05:22 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Recalculating both routes and business strategies should be something that is just part of our lives! As for being late, my dad was in the service which may be why he instilled in us the need to be early. I get anxious if I'm arriving somewhere right around the time I said I would - I always try to be early.

Nov 16, 2023 04:41 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

In our business, I think it's a good habit to have.

Nov 16, 2023 05:22 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Excellent post. Thanks for putting this into words for us.

 

Nov 16, 2023 09:05 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

You're welcome!

Nov 16, 2023 09:17 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

The important focus on this message is to take the time.  The rushing around like Chicken Little with the spray and pray behaviors ignores investing the time to re-think. Great message and congrats on the Feature.

Nov 16, 2023 09:09 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Sometimes investing just a little more time will mean the optimal decision.

Nov 16, 2023 09:18 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Hi Bill,  I like to be early too.  It's respectful of the other person's time.  I think we have to wait and see what will happen.   It isn't going to happen in a day, so it's wise to take your time and weigh all options.

Nov 17, 2023 02:12 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Agreed, as much as anything it's a respect thing.  I know how crunched time can be, hate it when others opt to waste my time, so the last thing I want to do is be the cause of someone else's wasted time.

Nov 17, 2023 01:01 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Chicken Little was never an approach I took - there is ALWAYS an alternative and your post has captured my take on it, Bill. I'm typically a think-it-through person and have Plans-A,B,C & D!!

And, if you were Air Force, it would be 15 minutes!! 🤣🤣🤣

Nov 18, 2023 08:52 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

At Annapolis we referred to them as "bus drivers" :)

Nov 18, 2023 07:43 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

🤣

Nov 18, 2023 08:33 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Recalculating Recalculating!  I can still here her saying that if I did not go the way she wanted me too.  Rather bossy gal! LOL.   We all have choices to make as life rolls along and it's up to us to recalculate or shift a bit or continue on the path.  Personally I've heard it all over the last 35 years and it's to me like - been there - heard that - multiple times. I know it will all work out for the best.

Nov 18, 2023 10:01 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

And that's what I figure, God puts me where I'm supposed to be and when I'm supposed to be.  If it turns out that doesn't include continuing to be a real estate agent, I'm okay with it.

Nov 18, 2023 07:44 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

The routine cardiologist thing struck me! I can't think of anything "routine" about a cardiologist appointment. 

Anyway...Yes, there are times when we need to re-think, re-calibrate, re-scheduled and, in other words, figure out what the heck we need to do to push forward. 

Nov 18, 2023 05:54 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

John, I was diagnosed with afib back in February 2017 (https://activerain.com/blogsview/5023435/a-slap-upside-the-head) .  I'd probably had it for years without knowing it (I'd almost passed out twice on the soccer field in my 40s, but we couldn't identify anything specific at the time).  I've been on meds every since.  Rhythm comes and goes, sometimes I'm out for just a day, or like the most recent episode 6 days.  I've learned to (mostly) incorporate it into my life, and that includes "routine" visits to see my cardiologist a few times a year for an EKG and discussion about any needed changes.

Nov 18, 2023 07:42 PM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Liz and Bill Spear - I just watched your video of strong winds in Ohio! Oh my gosh, I got the chills once that wind picked up stronger! I guess you had a very quick Fall Season and winter is making its entrance quicker! Seriously, I have been in TX so long now, I forgot what the wind sounds like in the Midwest.

Nov 19, 2023 03:13 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

If my timing is right, each year we have a period of time in the fall when the winds are just right and the leaves are ready to drop, and they do, in a big hurry!

Nov 21, 2023 04:45 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP

Liz and Bill Spear - When you think about it, it is an interesting phenomenon! 

Nov 21, 2023 05:42 AM