Separation Anxeity

Real Estate is exhausting! For the most part, I have found something I do well and something that is not the bane of my existence. I honesty like it, but it is exhausting. My goal is to get to the point where my business works for me and I really don't have to work for my business.

The past week has been more exhausting than most. At this moment in time, I have clients who, daily, suck the life out of me, well all but one. Every day for the last 3 weeks I've wanted to either throw my phone against the wall and say, "F*ck it all, I am done" or one by one, kick my clients in the teeth. The latter sounds like more fun and more deserving.

The way I work is pretty open and honest. You ask me a question, I will give you the answer. If I don't know the answer, I will find out. I lay all of this out for my clients when we meet. I also give them instructions on the process and my schedule. I guess I have not been clear enough.

Client: "We would like to see 4 properties this evening beginning at 7:30pm.
Me: "No, I can't do that. It takes approximately 30 minutes per house (they aren't looky looos), these people might have children and families and might not want us coming through their homes at 9-10pm."
Client: Really??? Why
Me: Right, so like I just said, I don't think people want us in their houses that late. If we'd scheduled it yesterday or earlier, it might have been something we could do. People need notice. Next time.
Client: OK.

I really understand my job does not have set hours like most, but I am also someone who has a life...and another job. Apparently that is really difficult to comprehend. There are those agents out there who only work from 9-3/4. I aspire to have it like that one day. Right now, I feel like I am my clients bitch. I don't like it.

In the past 2 weeks I've had to have more "Come to Jesus Meetings" than I care to think about. Why can't people just do what I say. I am just saying these things and doing these things for everyones' well being. The more they interfere, the more likely things are to get f*ucked up. I let them do their jobs, so why no let me do mine. Just because you've seen all those shows on HGTV and A&E doesn't mean you know anything about Real Estate. It plainly means you, 1. watch too much television, and 2. are a retard if you think they are going to give you more knowledge than me when it comes to buying and selling a home. All they show on those shows is the fun, glamorous side of Real Estate. If for one second a client thinks those shows are their way to "do it themselves," I quickly let them know that they are retarded and I won't be there when they get sued. I will however, be there in court to chuckle at all the inappropriate times while the judge is smacking them down with fines they only dream of being able to afford. I digress.

My favorite client, he actually is my favorite client, closed on his house this Friday. Usually by closing time I am ready to push my clients in front of a bus and have hungry vultures flying overhead so there is no evidence. He was different. Big Mike, as I like to call him, was probably one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. He did everything I said and there were no hiccups during his deal. Surprise, surprise! We negotiated back and forth with the sellers on price and repairs, but he was ready to do that from the beginning. Every time we met for a showing or signing of something, he always had a smile on his face and usually cracked a joke or two. There were a couple of times he got a little nervous, but he never acted like a crack head and freaked out. He let me know calmly that he was a little nervous about somethings and he let me be his "pit bull" AKA doing my job.

When we finished the final walk through of the house before all the closing papers were signed, I almost lost all composure. My eyes began to fill with tears and I just couldn't help it.

Me: I just want you to know, you have been a breath of fresh air.
Big Mike: Really, I thought I was a pain.
Me: Seriously, you are my best client. I think I am going through a little bit of separation anxiety. I am sad we are closing today.
Big Mike: (chuckling) Really?
Me: Really. You were always so polite and friendly. You asked questions when necessary and you are just a pleasure to be around. Will you teach a "client class" and teach clients how to interact with their REALTOR.

He laughed and my tears went away. This is the first time this has happened so after we were finished, I ran to my broker and asked if that was weird. She let me know that it is normal, but it only happens once in a while. She said it gives us hope that there is another one out there and everyone is not a pain in the ass.

I am excited to work with Big Mike again in the future. He is that sigh of relief we all need. He is that calm feeling that washes over you when you need it the most. Seriously, he needs to teach a class or as a prerequisite for purchasing a home, clients must take up smoking or eating pot so they can chill out!