Do Real Estate Agents have the time?

I don't think you have to join a board and I have definitely seen where it was was a negative on another agent's businesss and stress level.

If you really feel the need to join, my advice is pick one board where you can help the community, you will be recognized, at the board doesn't meet but once a month for an hour at most. I have found the HOA you live in can be the most beneficial to you, your business, and your family because you are making the area you live in better.

I had to leave the Woman's Junoir league, because it was taking too much time away from family and work. I have been asked to join other board and groups, but it just doesn't work with my business and young children.

Great post! 

Having a family, a career and a past history of community involvement, I can tell you it is challenging to say the least!  I have several thoughts on this.  It all comes down to balance and discipline.

Knowing how to allocate your time is essential to making it all work and sometimes you have to say no to your extracurricular involvement in order to maintain excellent customer service. It's also important to have everyone's expectations on the table before you volunteer for anything.

I tend to jump hoops for my clients, sometimes to my detriment, but I also believe that there are agents out there that either don't know how to go the extra mile or don't want to.  Maybe the extracurricular activities take the place or working?  Don't know just one way to look at it.

I do believe it's possible to strike a balance.

Hi Leslie,

Well, got to tell you (since you asked) I feel differently, however with that said, I'm NOT a "board junkie". I see some folks who spend so my time there, they rarely sell anything at all. There is a fine line between the two for me. I have served on my boards, at the local and the state level. As for now, I've done my turn, besides new blood is always good. While I still volunteer in my community and somewhat as a REALTOR I'm very careful of my time commitments.

Now I primarily do mediations, arbitrations and ethics hearing for our pro-standards for our board. Oh yes, I do new member classes every now and then. I do feel compelled to give back to my local community and my r.e. community that has served me well for decades.

I'll tackle the other side of the coin.  My husband was the Sacramento Association of Realtors President and has served on about every committee the board has.  He also is our general manager and not practicing real estate.  He didn't do it for the recognition, but because he was asked, saw a need and chose to give the time.  I was our regional coordinator and am presently the Grievance committee chairperson.  These are not on my cards and I don't do it to impress anyone.  I do it because I truly enjoy it.  I would like to point out that I choose committees that I know won't take time away from my family and leisure time...that is my choice and my compromise.
Now, I will never understand why Realtors don't attend a weekly meeting (not the office meeting) that keeps them up to date on financing, current real estate events, etc.  I believe an agent who keeps abreast of current real estate issues is doing a better job for their client.  And yes...I do use the fact that I attend networking meetings and educational seminars when being interviewed - I am a better agent for it and I will let a potential client know it.
Also, when the market returns with multiple offers, and I have gotten to know most of the agents I share a farm with because I attended these meetings, all else being equal, who do you think the agent is going to hope to work with?

Oh...I forgot one major point.  I have joined my board because I want to be recognized as a Realtor.  I do let my potential client know that I am held to a higher standard than a real estate agent.  The consumer does have recourse if something goes wrong - not the case with a real estate agent.  Now, that makes an impression!

It is required here for us to be a member of a board, but that doesn't mean we have to "serve" - which I don't. I am on the ALC for my broker office, which takes far too much time as it is. I find it very difficult to manage a board, work, and family - when our job is not a regular 9-5 commitment!

I feel if a person is organized they can do both and serve both equally well.  I've been on 3 committees with my board - I dropped off of one after the first meeting because I felt it would be too much to handle.  I have served on Grievance Committee and/or Professional Standards for the last 6 years. We need to decide where the balance is and go from there...I also think it's imporant to give back that which has been given to us by others...someone has to do it.  We can't expect it to be the same people all the time.

I am not a big fan of boards. I probably would not do it.  But some people like that stuff and like to put it on their resume.

I just have to put in one more time...I promise!  For those of you who don't "like" the boards, meetings, etc., who do you rely on to represent your interests and those of the community in said boards?  If all of us said we don't have time, don't like it, etc., who would do all of the things that makes your local board the accomplished and important entity it is.  I don't know about everyone else's associations, but ours raises significant money for local charities (I am talking almost $200,000 from our association this year alone).  It gives classes to new agents or those who wish to brush up on their techniques. It sponsors regional networking meetings. It represents us in all the myriad of political issues. It provides grievance and pro standards venues for agents and the public. I could keep going, but you get the idea.  Almost all of these are done by volunteers. So, please...don't brush us all with such a broad stroke that we are doing it for the glory...maybe there are a few of us who do it to give back to an industry that has been good to us.

It is time management for all parties involved, family, clients, personal time.  I have sat on many boards however I balanced a lifestyle where no one felt cheated. Have a great weekend.

Hi Leslie  -    Welcome to ActiveRain.  I look forward to networking with you and reading your future post.  Have a great day!!!