Lucky to be a Realtor
The world of real estate looks extremely glamorous on TV. Everything seems easy and the viewer gets the best of it all. You rarely see deals that fall through or houses that are beyond repair. You never see the face of the person foreclosed on and money (or the lack thereof) isn’t ever the highlight on most shows. Even the “flippers” tend to win in the end.
Over the years I’ve watched a lot of agents come and go. In 2014, NAR reported 87% of all new agents fail after five years in the industry. I haven’t seen updated numbers, but I imagine that needle hasn’t moved much.
There is a huge turnover in this industry. Many find the long days, sometimes lengthy negotiations, and lack of a stable income daunting at best. In reality, buyers and sellers don’t naturally flock to you. There isn’t a weekly paycheck, and contract negotiations can be difficult at times. It isn’t always a “win” no matter how hard you try. I’ve seen agents become super stars only to burn out after a few years.
I’m one of the lucky ones. I can honestly say, these last 44 years have been kind to me. I wake up each day with passion and enthusiasm about my “job”, my chosen profession, my career. Sure, there are difficult days. Some nights you toss and turn, hoping the simultaneous closings scheduled for the next day work out of for all the parties involved. You ruminate over the reality of the advice given to a grieving spouse about selling their home. You hope the young couple that just bought their first home can really afford those payments. Your life is no longer your own. It’s 24/7 brain power.
Still, the passion is there. For those who can stick it out, learn to juggle and keep all the balls in the air, the work is extremely satisfying. There are very few careers with this kind of impact on others. We are people helpers and we make a difference. If you put in the time, understand the pitfalls and rejoice in the wins, this career can bring many years of joy.
Thank you to all the true professionals in our field, the ones that still strive to provide buyers and sellers with a positive experience. Cheers to the agents that still answer their phones, texts and emails even after the office hours say “closed” and kudos to the agents who respect and admire one another for all the right reasons!
Congratulations to all our great agents. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.