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Do you need a real estate tune up?

By
Real Estate Agent with Lawrenceburg KY Foreclosures & Government Owned Properties

Part of being a great real estate agent is to put yourself first and take care of YOU!  How many times have you not gone to the gym because that client called and you went running the wrong direction?  Instead of running at the gym, you ran right to the client's house.  You conducted a great listing presentation and ate the cake they offered after signing up the listing.  Great job!  You met your goal for the week.  You have that listing.  How about that time for you to work on you and your health?  Down the tube for this day!

Many times we get out of shape not only in our physical life, but in our real estate life as well, especially in this market.  We jump whenever we have a call because there are fewer calls out there.  How do you keep your real estate shape in tune with your physical shape?  Here are a couple of suggestions.

  • First, read my blog The #1 Tip for Being a Successful Agent.  Add that time for your physical workout.
  • Secondly, ask the client for other options.  Many times we think if we don't jump immediately, we will lose the client.  I don't know about you, but if I called my heart doctor today and ask, "can you see me this afternoon" and he said "come on over", I might wonder if he is the doctor to work on my heart.  Clients want to know you are busy; most of the time you are working with their largest investment.  It is okay to ask if 7:00 would work for them and not miss your workout at 5:00.  You are a priority.  You don't have to explain that you are going to the gym, just say you have another obligation. 
  • Thirdly, plan to workout earlier in the day before it gets hectic.  I have found this to work for me every time. Make it happen before something happens to make it not happen is my motto!

Most of all, remember to take care of you.  I have met agents that take better care of their clients, customers and termite inspectors than they do themselves.  Is this you?  Do you need a real estate tune up?

Comments (12)

Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Cindy~ If we don't take care of our self, nobody else will!  I am as guilty as the next.  I need to get back into the practice of working out first thing in the morning before I do anything else!  Thanks for the push! 

Feb 04, 2009 03:52 PM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

No doubt about it - you are more effective as a professional when you find balance in your life and that includes exercise, good diet and sleep.

Feb 04, 2009 03:53 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Cindy,

Oh, well

You are so right...

and I am so guilty

And I am trying to push myself, but, I guess, I am a bit lazy, too

Feb 04, 2009 03:53 PM
Brian Lee Burke
Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO
Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Cindy - haha, I have just been thinking about this the last couple of days - I really need to get back into a workout routine! ~Rita

Feb 04, 2009 03:59 PM
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Natick, MA
Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

In my honest opinion, too many agents have been sitting around "tuning themselves up".  Now is not the time to do anything but focus on the business.  Corporations big and small are laying people off.  Do you think that the people who are going are those who "tune themselves up" regularly versus those who keep their nose to the grindstone and help the company? 

Real estate is not a part time job.  It is a full time career.  It's fine to establish times when you are not available, but I guarantee you that if you are not doing floor time you will not get the walk-in business.  If you aren't able to answer the phone, you aren't going to get the warm transfer of a viable lead.  If you don't respond to e-mails, you aren't going to keep your clients and if you don't show that YOU are the neighborhood specialist, you won't get that relocation lead.

Maybe you should try car sales.  I hear that they are having a slow time selling new cars.  At least then, you will have plenty of time to "tune yourself up."

If you haven't heard, now is a great time to buy.  Those agents that believe in it are making a lot of money right now.  But I guess you didn't realize that because you are to busy "tuning yourself up".

Feb 04, 2009 03:59 PM
Cindy Crutcher
Lawrenceburg KY Foreclosures & Government Owned Properties - Lawrenceburg, KY
Real Estate Broker - Exit Realty Crutcher Lawrenceburg KY

Ouch, I think I hit a nerve!  Sorry!  For the record, I have been selling real estate for 20 years, manage 2 brokerages, have 3 kids, have been happily married for 27 years, love life and like to try and take care of myself.  I am a type 2 diabetic and I know the importance of physcial activity and eating healthy.  My real estate team has been number 1 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky for 8 consecutive years.  Nothing part time about me.  Does anyone else think I should drop out of real estate and go into the car sales business?

Feb 04, 2009 04:29 PM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Cindy - sounds like "Mr. Synergy" could USE a tune up!  Grouchy.

Feb 04, 2009 04:36 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Cindy, great advice!  I know I am trying to correct the abuse of not exercising and taking time to take care of myself.  It is a lot easier to maintain a strong, healthy body than it is to reclaim one!  Great advice, and we do need to schedule our time to take care of the important things in our lives!

Feb 04, 2009 04:45 PM
Doug Aaserude
Inactive until May. 2009 - Beaverton, OR
Broker

this was so me. before i got into real estate i was a manager for home depot, 17 years. my weight went from 240 to 620 over that period of time. i neglected my health, my family, all for the crazy retail business. i was eventually relieved of my duties due to my obesity. that was ironic. since getting into the real estate busines i have lost 160lbs and i make my personal calander first, then schedule my clients into the free times. i ahve learned that you have to place your health and family first.

Feb 04, 2009 05:39 PM
Derenda Grubb
CENTURY 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.'s - Lake Charles, LA
GRI, ABR, CRS

Cindy,

Your advice is GREAT.  Sounds like the earlier response was from someone on the verge of panic.  It is hard to sell anything in the panic mode.  People can sense fear a mile away and will run the other way.  I don't care how much time you spend in the office.  You better work on yourself and chill.

Feb 04, 2009 06:08 PM
Randall Sandin
Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC
843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

great advice  - you mjst take care of yourself first and foremost or nothing else can be done at 100% effort

Feb 04, 2009 08:50 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

I love going to the gym as it helps take the stress away from the job. Great for the mind and body!

Feb 04, 2009 11:34 PM