Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Linkenauger on January 7, 2010 at 3:17pm

Thank god we deal with motivated sellers who MUST sell! Its all about expectations. In this market, I expect the deals to fall much all the time, I expect buyers to change their minds and get impatient, and I expect sellers to change their minds and do other things sometimes. Its a numbers game. I don't expect a paycheck until its in my hand!!

Its the only way I can keep my sanity!

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Permalink Reply by Kim Chitwood www.kimchitwood.com on January 8, 2010 at 12:51pm

I feel your pain. I think I have had just about enough of time wasters. Why don't we all decide that we are going to bill hourly just like our attorney does. Maybe they would think twice?

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Thurber on January 8, 2010 at 1:16pm

HA! That would be great. After every showing appointment we hand them a bill...

Kim Chitwood said:

I feel your pain. I think I have had just about enough of time wasters. Why don't we all decide that we are going to bill hourly just like our attorney does. Maybe they would think twice?

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Permalink Reply by Kimmie Hauver on January 21, 2010 at 4:24pm

If the first time it happens doesn't destroy you, the second time isn't as bad. This business will change you if you let it. Maybe thats why there are so many angry agents in my area!

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Permalink Reply by Kim Chitwood www.kimchitwood.com on January 21, 2010 at 4:48pm

Yeah some of the GA paperwork now has a retainer fee blank in the buyer's brokerage agreement. I haven't had the guts to collect one yet but I'm starting to get mad enough. I'd rather list short sales LOL

Andrew Thurber said:

HA! That would be great. After every showing appointment we hand them a bill...

Kim Chitwood said:

I feel your pain. I think I have had just about enough of time wasters. Why don't we all decide that we are going to bill hourly just like our attorney does. Maybe they would think twice?

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Permalink Reply by Joe Robaina on January 22, 2010 at 4:25pm

In my humble opinion, the question is not "to be or not to be a realtor". I believe that if we often feel frustrated, what we need to ask ourselves is: "is the real estate profession who I am, does it define me, do I believe with every cell in my body that this is my calling in life, or is it just what I do?". In times like these, people in all walks of life and especially in the real estate field are tested. The test is not pass or fail or even success or failure, it is through the pressure and hard times that we can actually find out if we really love what we do, regardless of the income or other difficulties we might encounter. For some of us in this industry, coming to the realization that perhaps we are not really built for this work, or we just don’t believe in it any more, may be better viewed as a gift instead of a failure. That realization may allow many realtors to understand that they can find more fulfillment by allowing some introspect to help them find other career or employment paths.
In my case, the result of the current difficulties in this market had the exact opposite effect. I have been involved in some form in the real estate business my whole life. You could say I grew up in it as I was very close to my father who was a builder, developer, and bought, sold and managed real estate his whole life. I had been spending most of my time as a consultant in recent years; however, I've heard it said that "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". I grew so tired of observing the negativism, lack of motivation and commitment displayed by many of the brokers and agents I was trying to help. I noticed that they where so embattled that they couldn't seem to get out of their trenches and get fired up for success. I enjoy a challenge, and the more involved I get, the more I realize that this is not what I do, this is who I am. I can't imagine myself doing anything else, not now, not 10 years from now. This allows me to thrust myself full throttle with controlled abandon into every opportunity with nothing but absolute confidence that I will own the market share that others have left behind, that I will inspire those on my team that have the fire in their belly to do the same, and that together we will find ourselves on the other side of this downturn not wondering if this is what we should be doing but rather, if we did enough.
Starting in the last quarter of 2009, I started a training program that will be offered throughout Florida called RESuccess2010, this unique opportunity has allowed me to come across many excellent real estate coaches and other like minded individuals with home I can sharpen my skills and learn more every day (as steel sharpens steel, so let one man sharpen another).
I would encourage anyone finding themselves at such a crossroads to do the same, find people you can respect and look up to in this or other fields of work and develop a mastermind group, the rewards may surprise you.

At your service,

Joe Robaina
Realtor, Director of Franchise Development
Realty World International Gateway
Miami, Florida

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Permalink Reply by Antonette Solano CSSG, SFR on January 22, 2010 at 7:45pm

I thought of doing that.. I don't think the buyers would go for it :_(((

Andrew Thurber said:

HA! That would be great. After every showing appointment we hand them a bill...

Kim Chitwood said:

I feel your pain. I think I have had just about enough of time wasters. Why don't we all decide that we are going to bill hourly just like our attorney does. Maybe they would think twice?

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Permalink Reply by Karen Hulbert, Woodland CA on January 23, 2010 at 7:46pm

We have all been there - here is what I do:
1) could I have done anything different to keep this client? If so would I have done it?
2) can I learn from this experience?
3) vent to my spouse or business partner (whoever is closest at the time).
4) go have a Margarita and start again tomorrow!

Remember that Karma will get unloyal clients in the end......

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Permalink Reply by Joe Robaina on January 23, 2010 at 7:58pm

Ahh yes, Margaritaville. I'm growing quite fond of that place.

Karen Hulbert said:

We have all been there - here is what I do:
1) could I have done anything different to keep this client? If so would I have done it?
2) can I learn from this experience?
3) vent to my spouse or business partner (whoever is closest at the time).
4) go have a Margarita and start again tomorrow!

Remember that Karma will get unloyal clients in the end......

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Permalink Reply by Kim Chitwood www.kimchitwood.com on January 24, 2010 at 1:28pm

Yes I do believe that one must drink to endure the day in and day out abuse LOL... When you have a good day, it's great, when you have a bad one, it's very very bad! I think of this business as being a professional gambler- you may hit big one day and then have one loss after another but that one big hit keeps you in until the next win.

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