I am not a sentimental person, and I pretty much throw everything away rather than saving those little keep sakes, but there are days when the past creeps into my thoughts.
I remember a time when sellers left closings with money, and buyers brought money to the closing. These days my sellers bring money, and my buyers bring none. I am getting used to this new world order, but sometimes I miss the good old days.
In the old days when I got a listing, I could count on being paid. They all sold, eventually. These days when I get a listing I can count on working hard, and I might not get paid. I may get an offer, but it might not close.
With the buyers it used to be that I only had ten or twelve homes to show them. These days I can show them ten or twelve each time I take them out. It is wonderful that they have so many choices, and I mean that sincerely. I used to hate it when they had to see a home on their lunch hour and had to make an offer immediately if they were interested. On the other hand they sure make me tired these days.
Being in 100% commissioned sales has never been for wimps. With that said, I am going to stop wining, and thinking of the good old days, and go out and sell some real estate.
Have a great day, stay in the present, think of the future, this isn’t a good time for nostalgia.
Paula Henry
August 22, 2008 at 8:03 am
T – Oh, but I love the bentwood rocker – I had one with my firstborn; looked much like the one on your picture. Monday is her 28th birthday. I think I just want to stay in the past for a moment longer.
I’ll work in the present later today – thanks for the memory and reminder!
Kevin Sharkey - IBR Broker
August 22, 2008 at 8:04 am
Good morning Teresa,
This too, shall pass.
I’ve been licensed since 1989 and have experienced the roller coaster ride we call real estate. Each change has brought a new set of challenges that many thought would either be the end of the world or the beginning of never-ending prosperity.
The one thing that stands out to me is that each change in the market has made us better business people. When it’s good, we learned how to develop systems that supported high volume sales and kept us from going crazy. This market has taught us how to live on beans and “weenies”.
You, of all people, have developed new skills for a changing market. Blogging, social networking and Twittering are all new methods of marketing that reflect a changing environment. Based on past experience, these too will change.
Thanks always for the good words. Now go sell some real estate.
Steve Simon
August 22, 2008 at 9:21 am
Licensed since well, long before 1989 🙂
I long for the days when people showed up when they said they would.
When your word was not given easily nor taken lightly.
When this was a profession not a martial art.
When you actually had to attend a class and pass the exam before you received a license.
When there were enough investigators, so as to ensure a high level of compliance.
I do not think I will see any of the above sometime soon…
Mark Eibner
August 22, 2008 at 12:17 pm
we’re at it again Nostalgia: COME ON- support the 28th Amendment by commenting on this .. https://tinyurl.com/5prvh5
Matthew Rathbun
August 22, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes the bug….
Dwelling in the past never helped anyone do anything but keep from repeating it. There are benefits to the market changing, although not on the surface.
They agents staying in the game are the ones’ apt to change and grow with the consumer. There are fewer dual career agents, so that more and more we’re seeing the full-time career based agents getting more of the clients and caring for them better.
We’re seeing a lot more people attending training in order to keep up with the current challenges.
The consumer is understanding a little better that we really have to work for them and that we’re important in protecting their interests and needs.
Laura Cannon
August 23, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Teresa –I appreciate your honesty. This is a tough market. I may make as much money as last year if I am lucky, but I will have worked twice as hard for it. Emotionally, working with sellers has been very draining this year. If you care about your clients and do a good job, it is hard. Sometimes, I get sick of motivational fluff that is about characterizing everything in unrealistically rosy terms. Thanks for keeping it real.