I can’t remember when I last went 24 hours without checking e-mails and wonder how many professions there are that we simply don’t ever take a day off. Yes, I took a 4-day trip to New Orleans last month, but I responded to e-mails and negotiated a contract in between touring the French Quarters and dining.
Clients call, text and e-mail at all different times. That’s okay because I get up early and stay up late. I DO nap almost every afternoon and turn my phone to vibrate during that precious hour. When someone is buying or selling a house – it’s a really BIG deal, and they want their questions answered when they want them answered. I “get that” and am happy to accommodate.
So, I’m looking at my calendar today and WHAT? The only appointment I have is a manicure! Ha! I don’t even have to shower today if I don’t want to!! Of course that doesn’t mean that I won’t be running comps for my Norman buyer or finalizing a contract for my Houston buyer or following up on showings for my Tulsa sellers . . . or blogging or updating my web site.
But I can do all of that in my jammies and still fit in a game of Mahjong for the fun of it.
Real estate is a rewarding profession, but not as glamorous as one might think. We do a lot of negotiating, problem-solving and hand-holding. Yesterday I spent ten minutes in a 150-degree attic making sure a dryer vent had been properly repaired and the day before that I spent two hours negotiating a contract with a family member whose ego forced him to require personal attention.
The biggest PLUS of real estate are the lasting relationships made. I am thrilled that my Buyer who closed on her house four years ago called me when she had electrical problems, because she still values my recommendations. And, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that clients become friends, come to our parties and invite us to theirs.
So, a day off it is. I’ll feel better if I get caught up on some of my social media tasks and work on my August e-newsletter, but neither HAVE to be done today. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy my manicure and maybe spend some time with our pups today.
Of course, if someone calls today and WANTS to see a $400,000 house, I’ll jump in my car in a nano-second!
