Special offer

Two + Two + Two = Zero

By
Real Estate Agent with Inhabit Real Estate

Is it just me, or have you noticed that the real estate market is slow?

It's been a little while since I had any good, qualified leads or referrals. Two months, in fact. Which is where the above addition comes in.

Yesterday marked exactly 2 weeks until my due date with yet-to-be-named baby boy. Business has been slower than I'd like for about 2 months now. And yesterday I got calls from 2 new clients. Which equals no business for me. 2+2+2=0.

Is this what they mean by "new math?"

baby shoesI thought about trying to salvage the leads. Baby needs a new pair of shoes (and onesies and hats), after all. But I have to remind myself that I am in a service industry. With the way my brain is working right now, it would be a real disservice to these nice people if I tried to make a go of it. It doesn't make sense to give them two weeks of half-hearted attention and then hand them off to a colleague.

In the long run, I must keep in mind, it is better for these nice people to have a good experience than be disappointed in my service. And how can I be of service when I'm busy focusing on nesting? Selfish, I know. But keep in mind there are the baby's clothes that have to be washed for the third time, bathroom tiles that need re-grouting, and cans in the kitchen that need to be arranged with the labels facing out.

Did you know there actually is such a thing as baby brain? At least I think so. I'm not sure. It's biology's way of saying: Stop working. Just finish getting ready for the baby. There are big changes ahead.

So I've passed the leads on to a couple of great people in my office. Thank you Alex and Kelli Sue. I'll happily take a referral until my brain returns to it's normal size and function.

After baby arrives and is a little older, after I get back in to the swing of things, I need to retain this concept. If I can't serve my clients well, for whatever reason, I will refer them to someone else. Too often in the past I've seen people hold on to a client whom they can't properly help. I'm sure I've done it, too. I find it hard to let go of clients both because of my love of my work and for financial reasons. But neither of those are acceptable motivations from the clients point of view. And they're both a good idea if you want to lose your way ethically.

So, my colleagues business cards are permanently in my wallet, ready to be pulled out and handed to anyone who may need their superb services.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to pack a bag for the hospital and worry about other important things; like why do I feel like the Commodores will be appropriate labor music? How's Lionel Seaholt for a name?

 ~ Amy Seaholt

Comments (28)

Amy Seaholt
Inhabit Real Estate - Portland, OR
REALTOR, Portland Oregon

Ellie, I can't believe you were on the phone during your labor, let alone for work! With my first I couldn't even talk with anyone in the room. I'm expecting the same this time.

 

Sep 10, 2008 11:05 AM
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

Good luck Amy and much happiness with your new baby!  New clients will be waiting when you are ready - it is the cycle of real estate! 

Sep 10, 2008 12:12 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Amy - I like your style. What you did was very noble. Undoubtedly you already know that. I wish you all the best with the birth of your child. I appreciate you taking time for family - it is so important.  I like Lionel Seaholt. 

Sep 10, 2008 12:16 PM
Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

Congradulations. It wil pick up. Enjoy your new son.

Sep 10, 2008 12:33 PM
Kat DeLong
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
REALTOR

A new baby...I LOVE babies.  Good luck!

Sep 10, 2008 12:34 PM
Aventura | Bal Harbour | Sunny Isles Beach | REALTORĀ® 786-229-7999
SIB REALTY, Llc // WaterWayRealty.com - Sunny Isles, FL

Good Luck with your new arrival. I'd look into "S" names

Perhaps "SLY"

Sep 10, 2008 12:38 PM
Michael Scher
Austin Home Inspection Team - Austin, TX

Congratulations on your new little one.  I had to wait until our boy was born to come up with the right name - And then I took another couple of days.  We picked a name that was perfect for our little guy.  Ethan James will be a year old on Sept.19.

I admire you for making this decision to keep your priorities in order.  The decision to refer your leads to colleagues is consistant with keeping healthy boundaries for family and work.

Sep 10, 2008 12:48 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

I hope that you referred those folks... that way you could still get a little income from them. 

I guess that would be an advantage to being a husband... I worked right up until I took my wife to the hospital.

Sep 10, 2008 01:26 PM
Anna Little
Greater Atlantic Shores Properties at Atlantic Shores Cooperative - Virginia Beach, VA

It is best to be prepared!  My FIRST closing happened the same day that my daughter was born 26 days early!  I had just made arrangements the previous day to have "back-up" in case the baby came early!!

 

 

Sep 10, 2008 01:54 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Amy~ Best of luck with your new little bundle of joy.  I have 4 children-all grown now, and it seems hard to believe they are grown up and that I have 2 grand-children now.  

Sep 10, 2008 02:04 PM
Johanna Roy
BRIX Real Estate - Saint Paul, MN
The Name Friends Recommend

Why is that, that business gets busy before you deliver? I had the same thing, I had three referrals 3 weeks before my due date. I did take them on, when it's a referral I feel obligated! So, I showed homes at 9 months preg. of course they were all buyers, so I went in and out of my car and up and down stairs several times! It kept me busy, but boy I was exhausted by the end of the day! But two out of three founds homes. Still need to close on one! Wish me luck, I need it! 

Sep 10, 2008 02:17 PM
Stavrula "Sam" Crafa, RNC,GRI, CDPE, PSA
Future Home Realty - Seminole, FL
Providing the integrity and service you deserve.

May God grant you and your baby many blessings!

Sep 10, 2008 02:32 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Amy.. Just hang in there. Business has been a bit slow around the country... It will pick up again.

Congratulations on the upcomeing new addition

Sep 10, 2008 03:11 PM
Mana Tulberg
805 County Real Estate - Camarillo, CA
Real Estate Agent - Camarillo CA

Amy, Best of luck in your adventures as a Mommy/Realtor. Hope you have a safe and easy delivery. It takes only a caring and focused Realtor like yourself to do what you did for these new leads.

Sep 10, 2008 03:36 PM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

LOL. 

I'm with Ellie - I was on the phone delivering good news - an accepted counter-offer - while I was at 7cm!! I figured I had another couple of hours to go so when the call came in from the other agent, I took it!

But it gave me a great story to tell about her birth.  When she showed up, I named her for real estate (not really but her first name happens to be the name of a top agent here and her middle name happens to be the name of a popular real estate company in a nearby town).

Good luck with it all!

Sep 10, 2008 03:39 PM
Sherry Peckhoon Sim
Sims & Company - Cayucos, CA
Broker/Owner, Covering the Beautiful Central Coast

Hi Amy, just wanted to wish you the very best.  Perhaps you will share - post some photos.  Family should always come first.  Sounds like you got it all planned.  I think your baby will have your great smile.

Sep 10, 2008 04:13 PM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Amy, What better time to have a baby than during a slow market.  Can you imagine how frustrated you'd be if the market was really hopping.  Focus on the birth and taking care of your baby.  By the time you are ready to focus on real estate again, hopefully the market will have picked up!

Sep 10, 2008 05:22 PM
Mary Bowen
Coldwell Banker United, Realtor - The Woodlands, TX
Real Estate At Its Finest!!!

Concentrate on the upcoming gift. The market woes will pass.

Sep 11, 2008 09:15 AM
Anonymous
Jennifer Lamm

Congratulations on the new baby.  He is bringing you luck already!!

 

JL

Sep 12, 2008 06:56 AM
#27
Anna Matsunaga
Team Momentum Keller Williams Realty Tacoma - Lakewood, WA
Seller specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert

Hope all goes well for you.  I had baby brain and had to be on bed rest towards the end last time, but did end up working right up to the labor ( and IN labor, a funny story I have blogged about)  At least I got home in time to have baby. 

 

I agree with you, if there are times you cannot serve some one well, pass them along.  I do so when ever some one is not really a fit for me and or I am just too busy to do a good job.

Oct 20, 2008 02:54 AM