Realtors. What a great profession we found ourselves in during the early and mid 2000’s. The business was so easy to get into that at times I’d see agents who barely knew the Lake Geneva zip code sitting at a closing on a $2MM lakefront home. The barrier to entry for our profession is obviously painfully too low, which is why from 2002-2006 the ranks of practicing Realtors grew faster than stink on gruyere. Fast forward to the waining days of 2008 and there are fewer of us fighting over even fewer sales. Yes, this is a trying market, and a trying time for everyone who supports a family by selling real estate. That was an subtle plea for more business. My kids need to eat, and they’re way too cute to go hungry.
Just as the snow is spitting outside today, I read an article on Inman News. Seems that there are a few questions you now need to be asking your Realtor. Don’t just ask him how long she’s been selling real estate. Don’t just ask how many homes he sells in an average year. Don’t just ask her why in person she looks nothing like the glamor shot photo you saw of her online (like my suit? and yes, the reason I look 19 is because I was 19). Now you have to ask the dreaded question ” Do you have any other jobs?” If she blushes, call me right away. If he stammers and blurts out something about “only on the weekends”, call me. Yes, times are tough, and Realtors are having to get part time jobs to make ends meet. Me? No thanks. I am incapable of working a job that requires a set schedule, so you’re in no danger of having me leave you and your real estate goals high and dry. Nope, I’m a lifer. I only sell real estate, I have only sold real estate, and I hopefully only will sell real estate. To my fellow Realtors out there, please do find work elsewhere. Retain your license and I’ll pay your broker 35% referral fees for the business of all your old clients. I’ll take good care of them. I promise. I’m a Realtor.