The Life of a Realtor

I have been a Realtor for the past eight years. Sometimes I can not believe that I have survived that long, but it's true. Some how I have managed to make enough money to survive for eight long years. Some months have been leaner than others, and the stress has almost killed me, but I have survived. Don't get me wrong being a Realtor has it's perks, but it also has more than it's share of negatives. Let me shed some light on the life of a Realtor.

I want to begin with the positives, the reasons that I became a Realtor in the first place. Well the best thing about being a Realtor is that I do not have a boss. I am self-employed, an independent contractor, and I only have myself to answer to. I can not begin to tell you how much I enjoy this aspect. I have never been one to fit into the "corporate world." For the thirteen years prior to my real estate career I worked in the "corporate world." I was always in some form of sales, and I always hated it and just squeaked by. Yes, being self employed is wonderful. I do not have to call in sick, ask permission to go on vacation, or be lectured on my performance. I am free to do as I see fit. I also do not know of any other profession that pays as much for selling one item. If I sell one house a month, I can pay all of my bills for the month with some left over.

Now for the negative side of being a Realtor. Well for starters, I do not have health insurance. It is entirely too expensive to afford on my own. I do not get reimbursed for gas mileage, although many clients are under the impression that we do. I do not get a base salary or any compensation that I do not earn. I may work months with a buyer and then they can decide that they are no longer in the market for a home, they can buy a "for sale by owner," or they can decide to build a house, and I have to cut my losses. I do not make one dime for my time spent with them. If a house is under contract, I can not count on spending my money until it closes. I can not tell you how many times a deal falls through for one reason or another. It can totally fall apart two days before closing due to financing without any notice whatsoever. That is awfully nerve racking when you are counting on that money to pay your bills for the month.

Yes the life of a Realtor is stressful. I knew that I could not go on living like this forever. I needed a steady pay-check, and health benefits. I also knew that without a college education I would be forever stuck in those dead-end jobs. No, I wanted a career. I knew what I had to do. I have always wanted to be a teacher, so at the age of 36 I entered LSUS as a freshman. I graduate in December of this year. I am so excited, and I can not wait to get my classroom.

Wow! A steady pay-check every month regardless of what happens. What a novel idea. You mean I will also be able to go to the doctor without it costing me full price up front? Wow! The question I have is why didn't I think of this when I was 20? Oh well! We live and learn, and I have definitely learned. Now you might be asking yourself, "Well what about real estate?" Real estate is in my blood now. I can't give it up, and I plan on continuing real estate. The only difference is I will not have to depend upon it for survival. It will be my fun, travel money. My knees will not have to go weak, and the color will not have to drain from my face if a deal falls through. Oh happy day!!