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Have You Hugged Your Realtor Today?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with The Broker Network

Realtors are not only the least understood, but also quite possibly the least sane of all professionals.  What other professional would work for months, sometimes years with no guarantee of receiving a paycheck?  Sounds a little crazy doesn't it?  What are the chances that you'd be willing to do this?

Surprisingly enough, Realtors get paid only when the seller accepts an offer and the transaction actually closes, not a moment before.  By the time they have paid for all promotional materials, advertisements, postage and gas, at the very least.  They have given up their weekends to conduct open houses and show properties and cheerfully taken business calls at all hours of the day and night.

Unlike other commissioned sales reps who deal in less emotional matters, Realtors live a life of missed or interrupted family events, celebrations and vacations in order to be available to soothe their clients ongoing fears and concerns and to handle the myriad of details.

The image that many of us have of a Realtor is someone who talks fast, will pressure us into something we don't actually want and then end up with a fat commission check.  Watching family members for many years, and now myself, has opened my eyes a bit.

By the time taxes, the company split, promotional expenses and operating expenses (E & O insurance, continuing education, communicating devices such as phones, pagers and computers, professional dues, auto expenses, office setup and supplies) are taken out, the commission does not seem so fat.

What many people do not know is what truly good human beings Realtors are.  Most genuinely care about quality of life, their environment, making their city a better place and providing the very best service imaginable.  Granted, every profession has its bad eggs and the real estate profession is not exempt.

Do you have any good stories or comments about a Realtor in your area who has shown superb professionalism?  So often we hear of negative stories of our trades-people, now we want to hear of GOOD stories.

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I love commission sales.  That's where the money is.

Mar 29, 2007 11:06 AM
Maggie Dokic | Indialantic
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast
John, you are so right on with this.  The public has knowledge only of the commission checks, which are deemed to be extra-ordinary.  There is never any talk of all the negatives that go along with those commission checks.  Once the expenses are deducted, the bottom line isn't as plush as most think.  Ever since I became a real estate agent my friends see the truth that goes along with this career.
Mar 29, 2007 11:18 AM
Michele Webb
RE/MAX Properties, Inc. - Monument, CO
ABR, QSC
Interesting post!  I agree that many people think our checks are SO huge, not taking into account the expenses that come out of that.  It's expensive to work for yourself. =)
Mar 29, 2007 11:27 AM
John Hudson
Formerly of WELLS FARGO - Brentwood, CA
You still need that hug?
Mar 29, 2007 11:46 AM