Stacey-Ann's Blog

I have been noticing a horrible trend in the news lately and that is kids killing each other.

In the past few weeks there have been three incidents that have stood out to me:

Waldorf, Md

17 year old student kills another 17 year old boy.  Both boys were students at the same high school.

Forestville,MD

19 year old pregnant girl is run over by her teenage boyfriend.  Both were freshmen in college.

Crofton, MD

A group of teenagers attack and kill another teenager riding his bicycle.

It's frightening because these crimes appear to be occurring in different income levels and demographics, and in so called "safe neighborhoods".  It really makes you wonder what our teenagers are experiencing to create this level of anger.  I hope these are isolated incidents and not indications of escalating violence among our teenagers.

As much as I love being a realtor, there are aspects of the job that I don't love.

By far, the hardest part for me is the emotional let down that comes after a transaction closes.  I sometimes feel out of sorts, like I don't know what to do with myself when a transaction is done.  Most of the my clients have been great and I enjoy the regular interactions with them.  After the sale closes and there is no reason to be in constant touch with them I go through a period of withdrawal.  I know I will keep in touch with them but the interactions are never quite the same as when there is an active deal going.  I actually had a client say to me that the only down-side to her home search coming to an end is that we won't talk to each other as frequently.  It was quite a compliment and I felt better that I am not the only person who misses these interactions when they are no longer as regular.

What part of the job gets you?

It is a pretty common theme among agents that all part-time agents are terrible and do a dis-service to their client.  I reject that notion as I do many other stereotypes that I have encountered in my life.

Technincally I would be one of those part-time agents.  I am an undergraduate psychology professor.  During the academic year I work very hard on both jobs (I don't teach over the summer).  I am always prepared for my classes and available for my students.  I am also responsive to my real estate client's needs.  If someone calls when I am in class the call is returned usually within the hour.  There are many "full-time" agents that don't return calls that quickly.  I spend more time in the office, at sales meetings, on floor time, at open houses, working with clients, and blogging than many "full-time" agents.  I have my listings set up with a showing service so that a buyer's agent is not held hostage waiting for a return phone call.  I work closely with another agent so that we are able to cover for each other if for some reason one of us is unavailable (illnes, other committments, child care, vacations, client conflicts, etc).  

So my question is:  What makes someone "part-time"?

Is it really about whether or not they have another job or other interests?  Or is it more about their work ethic and the dedication that they give towards their real estate career.  There are many full-time agents that do not return phone calls, update their listings, give feedback, or communicate with their clients.

I know many full-time agents who volunteer at their child's school or work tirelessly on charities that take up a great deal of their time. Should they be considered part-timers?

I also know many seasoned full-time agents who have taken on another job because of the state of the real-estate market.  Are these people part-time?  I bet they don't see themselves as part-time agents.   

I agree that when the market was hot there were many people who got into the business part-time to make a quick buck.  However, if we are honest we will admit that many of the full-time agents got in for that same reason and many of them did not learn all they needed to know.  A bad full-time agent is as much a detriment to a client as a bad part-time agent.  We can hope that those agents that are only doing the job for the money and who don't care about the well-being of the client will leave during these tough times, be they full or part-time.

Believe it or not, I think the fact that I have another career has been as asset for me during this difficult market.  For one, I don't have the same worries about lack of an income because I do have a steady (albeit small) paycheck.  This allows me to stay patient through this difficult market.  I got into real estate during a slow time knowing that I have the security of another job but also knowing that there was much that could be learned during a slow market that I could use effectively when the market picked up.  

So many agents have said to me "I hope the market picks up soon so you can quit your job."  I have no interest in quitting my job.  For me, I love teaching and I am good at it and I love helping people buy and sell homes and I am good at it.  These two jobs fulfill two different parts of my personality.  The teaching allows me to impart my knowledge and love of psychology to young interested minds.  The real estate allows me to work intimately with people helping them make some of the biggests decisions of their lives and helping them manage their stress and anxiety during the process.  

The decision to do both careers has been the best decision I have made in my professional life.  I may be busy but I am very happy.  

Personally, I don't see myself as a part-time agent.  I work full-time in real estate (at least 40 hours/week) and I teach college full-time.  I have two very fulfilling careers.