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Thread: I just called in sick to my day job because...

  1. #1
    Featured Member Tourdefranzia's Avatar
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    Default I just called in sick to my day job because...

    I've gained too much weight since I quit dancing and none of my clothes (especially my bras, Ugh!) fit. I didn't quit dancing on purpose, it just kind of happened. You know, when burnout strikes it usually has some warning signs, but I chose to ignore the warning signs.

    I've been working so hard at building my real estate business while dancing that self care kind of flew out the window. Then I got sick. I had the flu that just would not go away. It took me 6 weeks before I started feeling human again. When I got the flu I didn't go into the club, of course, but I kept on with real estate anyway. Which just made things worse, of course.

    Before I was well enough to even consider a return to the club, I ran out of money, and then the bills started piling up. Being a real estate agent is a business, not a job, and it costs money to stay in business. In my region, basic overhead is around $2,000.00 a month. That's before you ever meet a client, that's just for professional memberships, costs like office supplies, marketing, bond and insurance, and software to conduct transactions. There are more expenses once I take on a client. Once I do get a customer, it costs me an additional $1000 for each listing before a buyer ever sees the house. Some of that cost is for reusable items like lock boxes, open house signs, yard signs etc, but a lot is for advertising the house for sale, professional photography, professional videography, flyers, internet marketing, social media marketing, catering for open houses, professional staging, and on and on and on.

    Did I mention that I have to hand over 50% of my commission to my brokerage just for the privilege of working there? It's called desk fees. And by law, I have to work for a brokerage for at least my 1st 3 years as a real estate agent in my state.

    And no, home owners don't cover these expenses. That's why they hire a real estate agent. It's just that real estate agents don't get paid until AFTER the house is sold and the deed is recorded. That is when I have to decided if I turned a profit on the sale or not. Usually, I do turn a profit, albeit a small one. That is, if the home owner doesn't change their mind about selling their house. I had 3 sellers back out on me in 2015 after we had their house on the market for up to a month. I've got no way to recoup my expenses, either. That money is just gone.

    A customer who only wants to buy a house and doesn't need to sell a house is generally less expensive on the outset. However, in the Portland housing market in 2015-16, it takes a long, long time to win at a bidding war to secure a house. I have to sell houses multiple times over to customers who wish to buy. I sell them the perfect place. They hand me an earnest money check for the house, I submit the offer and then we wait. Most buyers who aren't in the luxury market (defined as $1 million + homes) will lose out to all cash buyers pretty quickly. That means a loss in time, primarily. What is my time worth? I'd like to earn $20-30 an hour as a Realtor, ideally, to turn a profit. I've worked hundreds of uncompensated hours in the last year, so yeah...

    Many of the buyer clients I've been working with have been priced out of the market. When the clients and I started the house hunt, it seemed like there was plenty of houses that matched their needs, but when the list price is really $50-200,000 more due to all cash buyers, there was really nothing available to them in their price range after all.

    Anyway, I was spending a ton of money and not making any money and nearly went bankrupt in the process. So in late February, I quit my brokerage.

    Since I've got a nice car, I started driving for Lyft (Uber-like ride share service). There was no way I was dragging my fat, old ass back to the club, so I had to figure out something. I went on a few job interviews and kind of hated the idea of working for an employer. I actually accepted a job at Home Depot working in the design center...for $10 an hour. Part time. No bennies. Although I love the idea of helping people with their remodeling projects, I can't work for so little and still pay my bills. I had to tell Home Depot, thanks but no thanks.

    My rent is $1400/mo and I have to pay 100% of utilities and maintenance. That's the housing reality for Portland. My house is pretty terrible, lots of stuff doesn't work and my landlord sends her handyman to duct tape up whatever is broken. In other words, if I need something fixed, I have to do it myself. I had a major ant infestation this spring, and the handyman came by with some ant traps that did exactly nothing. After throwing away all the non-canned foods in my cupboards for the 3rd time due to being swarmed with ants, I just broke down and called an exterminator myself. Anyway, Now I drive for Lyft and average around $20 an hour before taxes and after fuel and maintenance expenses.

    I'm still looking for a path forward in real estate. I'll have enough money to renew my professional memberships by the end of this week, if things continue the way they have been going w/ Lyft.

    I've since switched brokerages. I can't practice real estate right now because I let my memberships expire (you have to join so many "clubs" just sell a damn house!). I was supposed to go to my agent coaching at my new brokerage this morning, but I couldn't squeeze my boobs in my bra any more. Fuck. I'm sure as hell not going to show up to a professional meeting without wearing a bra, ferchristsake. And when you wear a 36 DDD-E/F it isn't a matter of popping into the mall to pick up a new one. Usually the words "special order" and "3 day shipping" come up when bra shopping. Most stores only stock up to DD at the smaller band sizes. Sure, I could go into the plus sized section and find 42 DDD all week long, but that size does me no good, either.

    Well, long story longer, my clothes don't fit anymore, so I didn't go into the real estate office this morning for work.

    I must be either stupid or stubborn or both, as I am still pursuing a career in real estate. I really, really want to make this career work.

    Dancing taught me that working at the wrong club will kill a dancer's career. I was at the wrong brokerage when I launched my real estate career. I'm really hoping my new brokerage is going to be a better fit. They recruited me, and as skeptical as I was going in, I'm feeling hopeful that this brokerage will be a better fit.

    If only I could say the same thing about my bras...

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  3. #2
    God/dess carmen_b's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Just throwing a little sympathy out there !

    Real Estate can be a tough business ( my ex of 6 years was a realtor so I know the ups and downs more personally than most ) .

    I don't think he has to pay $1000 to list on the MLS like you described having to pay. I can give you the name of that company ( well known and you probably already know it ) via PM. It's a larger split than the ones where you pay you the high monthly cost for the office, but his office space " rent " was minimal so he could afford to only close a few here and there while he got started. I can see what you described with the Portland market . It went crazy in the last few years so it's probably the BIGGEST sharks closing most of the deals. I hope you come up with a good plan.

    I want my license badly too but the up front cost and the issues you mentioned are why I don't have it currently.
    Last edited by carmen_b; 05-02-2016 at 03:15 PM.

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    God/dess carmen_b's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Express clothing !
    The sales girls there are awesome and I'm also embarrassed I went up a size since stopping dancing but it happens to the best of us . Just go one size up in Express and you'll be set. I'm getting my more intense work outs going asap too. I'm good about doing moderate work outs but obviously I need to kick it up. ;/
    Last edited by carmen_b; 05-03-2016 at 08:42 AM.

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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Last time I was in PDX I found an awesome bra store on Alberta called the Pencil Test. They did a great job with the fitting (I'm a 32F so I know the struggle) and had a great selection!

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    Senior Member culitos's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Aw, I'm sorry about your experience.

    Didn't see it mentioned here so I'm going to ask, have you considered shadowing another agent with more experience? Im sure you've heard this, that it takes about 3 years to learn what you need to know in real estate. Anyway I just got my license and that is the route I am going to take, until I am more comfortable working on my own.

    Wishing you good luck and success!!!!!! Being an entrepreneur is tough work.

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    God/dess DonaDiabla's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Sorry for your experience. I am giving you huge virtual hug. I was wondering if you could some real estate related jobs? I do not know if they do this in Oregon but have you thought about becoming a real estate scout or apartment leasing agent? Or home stager? These are all jobs that bring in steady income for people who have their real estate license

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  13. #7
    God/dess carmen_b's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    ^ Along with the shadowing and these, my ex had a deal worked out where one day a week or so he would show for this busier agent . They had some kind of split or hourly thing worked out. It was literally the ONLY day a week this guy got off ( when my then bf was covering for him ). He was too money hungry to take ANY days away from his clients or set any boundaries with them. The guy was absolutely crazy and would show as early as 5 and as late at Midnight . My ex saved his relationship ( until it failed for other reasons ) by giving him one day a week for a couple years. Be-friending one of the big sharks might be a way to go. It might be a slow start though. They are guarded for good reason.

    Just throwing ideas out for brainstorming potential .

    ( don't quote please, will remove most of post )

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    Featured Member Tourdefranzia's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Just to clarify, I don't have to pay $1000 just to list on the MLS, but I do have to pay monthly dues to stay active on the MLS. THe $1000 is for multimedia services such as 3-D video, home staging, professional photography, a website for the home, and other advertising expenses, such as social media promotions, catering open houses, layout and printing of flyers etc. The market is extremely competitive here in Portland, and home sellers know they can get lots of free stuff from Realtors. They are going to list with the Realtor who brings the best marketing package.

    Thanks so much for the well wishes. I was having a terrible day on Monday.

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    God/dess carmen_b's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    ^ Ah, that's a bummer. I was under the impression the seller paid a part of that marketing to get the process started . I thought it was more of a split.

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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    I really appreciate your post (and I'm sorry for your circumstances, but happy to hear you're taking action to make things right!). We here on SW often throw around exit-plan strategies like they're super easy. "Just get your real-estate license!" "Just go to massage school!" et cetera. We rarely hear about the realities of pursuing these options!

    You're a fighter, and you're definitely a hustler. You'll pull through! (But you already knew that)

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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Do you have to have an license as a right of way agent in Oregon?

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    Featured Member Tourdefranzia's Avatar
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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    Quote Originally Posted by slowpoke View Post
    Do you have to have an license as a right of way agent in Oregon?
    I'm a broker. We don't have the right of way designation in Oregon, but I am able to do all aspects of real estate with my broker's license including commercial, residential, and property management. The rule is that I can only pick one speciality, though. I also have to be supervised by a Principal Broker for my 1st 3 years in business before I can apply to take the test to become a Principal Broker and go out on my own if I choose.

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    Default Re: I just called in sick to my day job because...

    You're in a great market, good luck!

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