C’mon, you can talk to me.
From the crazy hours and sandcastle pipelines to douchebag underwriters and incompetent colleagues to unappreciative prospects and just-above-vampires popularity, there’s plenty of reasons to not be a real estate agent. After all we have all picked a field where income can be volatile and anemic at the same time while the fluctuations in business require an astronaut’s stomach. Who does that, on purpose?
So IÂ ask you again, why do you do it? Answer that not according to what the promotional brochure in your broker’s office says you should say. Answer it sincerely because in that honest answer is the response to many of your business woes and questions.While you ponder that, I’ll share mine.
The early days
I remember sitting in that waiting area, palms sweating, not knowing what to expect but having a feeling that this would be big for me. Which was extremely strange since I had zero clue about real estate. And I don’t mean, I was a little unclear about it. I had no idea. In communism, there was no private property hence no transfer thereof. But as I took my classes, got my license and started helping out on deals around the office, I was like a damn duck in the water.
Why do I do it?
Reason 1: I am a geek that loves people.
Real estate combines my need for numbers, technology and gadgets with the ability to help friends make smart decisions. If I had gone the path of my degree and become an accountant, I’d get plenty of numbers (and a visor) but very little “human” touch. Real estate was my golden medium.
Reason 2: Putting together a deal makes me happy.
I live for the idea that I can wake up in the morning, find a client, the perfect property for them, and put a great deal together from scratch. Weird? Maybe, but this is my list. 🙂
Reason 3: When great marketing works, it’s a thing of beauty.
A while back, I wrote Marketing Love Story about this very concept. Read it and you will understand.
Reason 4: Building a real estate business has been the most rewarding professional experience of my life.
I’ve loved every bit of the business building process: From designing a simple logo to rolling out a whole new marketing strategy. I have learned so much in the process and I’m a better, more complete professional today because of it.
Your turn
The Why can be the answer to many of your business questions and knowing it clearly can lead you to the right path. As short as life is, living it miserably makes no sense. I find that people that work in areas they’re not passionate about, eventually end up burned out or miserable. Is real estate your true passion? If it is, share your why, if you don’t mind. But if you are only doing it for one of its by-products, trust me, it’s not worth it. When I read some real estate blogger’s posts, I get this distinct feeling that if the author was given a book deal, they’d drop their license tomorrow. If that’s you, set your sights on your true passion and pursue it. You are likely to be more successful and you will definitely be happier.
Sincerely yours,
Erion
