What are we to be grateful for? In tough times there is always a lot of lamentations on what we could have had, or what we should have done but didn't. It really doesn't matter now anyway. It is all history. The older I get I find it is not as important to measure your efforts by the dollars we earned. Real estate has a way of doing that. Sometimes it is really grotesque all the useless awards that are given to those that should really be collecting food coupons. Doctors, and lawyers do not high five one another for belonging to a ‘Million Dollar Cub!" The sad part is than we should raise the standards, and when you really earn a million dollars you should get a pat on the back. Instead we give awards for "Million Dollar Club" when the agent makes about 15K a year. In real estate, sometimes it is too much about the dollar and sometimes not enough on the completion of the deal. It is one thing to take a listing, but quite another thing to sell it for the best possible price in less than thirty days in this market.
What is your measure of success? Is it all about you? Is it the new luxury car, the second home, or was it selling the home for the elderly couple whose husband has just had a stroke? Can we measure the stress that we relieved of completing a deal and selling a home just before it went into foreclosure? Sometimes it is not about the sale, but it is about the lives behind the sale. Perhaps our efforts kept a family together, and out of bankruptcy. Perhaps by our efforts we prevented a divorce or a suicide. Over the years I have Thanked God for all the opportunities of growth that was place in out lives. Yes sometimes it is easy to not want to bother when there seems like there is no way to turn things around. Sometimes it is good to be grateful that you were there just to do God's will. There is a satisfaction that no money could buy in helping others achieve their dreams. It is a great feeling to have been part of the winning side when before all there was was dispair. Real estate is one of those fields we have loads of opportunities to assist others in their time of need. We should all be grateful that we can be of service to others. Over the years we've all assisted widows, and widowers, clients that were dying, divorces, families with financial upheavals, young families that are moving up, and older couples downsizing. We must all be grateful for our real estate careers that allowed us to serve others in their time of need both good and dire. Let's all give thanks we were there to assist and aid them!
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I am VERY thankful for all the new friends and not blood related FAMILY members I have acquired thanks to my career in Real Estate. Most of my business relationships are not fleeting and they are important to me.
How right you are we all have a chance to touch someone's lives and we should be thankful for the opportunity.
An excellent post! I think most realtors, who have been in the biz for some substantial time, would agree that the service part of our industry is what propels us to "keep at it", regardless of market trend in play at any particular time. I do think realtors are really 'helping agents'.
Thanks Jim. Doing God's will is definately something to be grateful for!
Jim, I agree with your sentiments here on the nonmonetary blessings like solving the problems for others. Very good insight on your part that a lot of Brokers don't get.
Ellie McIntire Real Estate in Howard County Maryland (The McIntire Team of Long & Foster) Ellie, you are so right. It is all about the right relationships.
Pat Champion (Coldwell Banker Camelot Realty) In real estate we get to see so much more than the person working a 9-5 will see. These are opportunities to mend, fix and grow.
Li Read at Sea to Sky Premier Properties I totally agree. There is so much more taking place than just a deal.
Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus/The Discovery Coach) It is funny, but when you are doing the will of God...there is that sense that you know things will work out in spite of all the twists, turns and upheavals.
Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty) Gary so many persons focus on the deal. They just don't see the big picture. There are much greater rewards sometimes that may not even involve a commission.
I feel good because I helped a few divorcees find a home they liked and could afford since their ex was being such a jerk. Take it easy on those part timers Jim most of us started part time at one time.
Jim-How right you are, excellent post.
Jim - we're so fortunate to have a career in which we can really make a significant difference in people's lives. They can go on to the next phase of their life. If we match them with the right home and help them buy it, that foundation affects how the rest of their life functions. And along the way, we make friends we never would have had.
Jim:
I had a REMAX Broker/Owner partner, who always said," if we didn't do real estate we have to work for a living". He meant that we did this so passionately and fluently that it wasn't work but something special.
I always felt, that real estate is a place that dreams come true. Many of mine have and I wish the same for my fellow practioners. Happy Thanksgiving!
Richard
John Walters (Specialized Real Estate) Thank you John. We can help at so many different levels.
Joseph D. Federico Westwood, MA Real Estate 781-389-8700 (RE/MAX Landmark) Thanks Joseph.
Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro) You are so right. Everyone benefits. It enriches us all.
Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates) When you enjoy what you do, it isn't work. It is apassion. I fully agree. Happy Thanksgiving!
This is a post to print and laminate Jim! So many times I hear agents letting a little bump in the road over shadow all the awesome reasons to be in real estate. It's all about Them - the people. Love it!
Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty Sometimes we search for a purpose in our lives and when it presents itself we really do not want to do it. Finding the eaiser and softer way sometimes is not the way to go.
Jim: Serving real estate needs has taken on a new meaning with the short sales, and foreclosures happening around us. I think like you. Helping people through those tough situations is rewarding, even when we don't earn a commission. And chances are, it will pay us tenfold in the future with that client's referrals.
Jim - I don't think about the commission until the day the check is in my hand at closing. It is about the people behind the place... The buyers and sellers and helping them reach their goals. I'm grateful that I get up every day and can't wait to "make things happen"...
Chris Ann Cleland, GRI (Long & Foster I agree. However, sometimes we must also be careful that we are not being used. There are those that will really use you, and you'll never see them again.
Debbie Summers - Move To Lake Mary! (RE/MAX Central - Florida) It is a great feeling not to be commission focused.
Jim, I think it is an honor to help someone with what is probably their biggest investment!!
Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro ABR (Results Realty) There are times we can assist others and just know it was supposed to be. I totally agree.