As agents, anxiety is the new reality in our lives. With transactions half of what there where a year ago, our business has downsized but no one sent us an official notice. We've all seen agents make adjustments such as moving back to their home towns, taking on service jobs or just leaving the business. Some need to turn their listings over to associates, their co-workers and friends, who are still working as full time agents. A self induced layoff.
I heard a veteran agent say "I will ride this recession out until things get back to the way they were." Are we ever going back to the way things where?
Unfortunately this is the time we need people in the industry to move ahead, be creative. As a New York Times article points out, with downsizing, people take fewer risks and become less creative. "The irony here is that this risk aversion comes just at a time when creativity is needed in the workplace." They point out that downsizing has been referred to as corporate anorexia; the companies get thin but not healthy.
Today we need agents and their companies to take risks, come up with new more effective and creative ways for our industry to benefit our clients. Tomorrow there will be a new role for the real estate agent. These are the days when we define that role.
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