I think that is the perception that the public has, we just put up a sign and wait for the money to pour in.  A lot of people get into the real estate business to "try their luck".  A lot of people get out of the real estate business when they find out how much work it really is!!

You have to love this business to keep at it.  I love this business!!  To me it is not just about the money.  It is about seeing the satisfaction on my clients face when they close on what is most likely the biggest investment they will ever make.  It's about the excitement I see in their faces when they are ready to move their families into their new "home".

There are a lot of things I could be doing other than selling real estate if were just about the money!  None would be as satisfying.

I think the public has that perception of any one who owns their own business. And, since we are independent agents we are among the filthy rich.

I however, am an exception to the rule, I am neither filthy nor rich. lol. We all know that there are times we couldn't be paid enough to put up with some of the stuff we do. But we settle for what we get and love our jobs. As Lucia said, you have to love it to stay with it. I love it.

And you earn every single penny of it too John!  And most of our work is in protecting our clients pocketbooks!

But I do think a lot of the misperception is our own fault.  How many times do you see advertised multi-million dollar producer?  Joe Public thinks this means we made millions.  Wish it were true.  But if you sell 4 $500K homes in a year, and I will use the dreaded 6%, you only did one side (meaning you split the 6% with the buyers agent) - you are now a multi-million dollar producer.  However what was your paycheck for?  For sake of argument, I will say we are on a 70/30 split with our broker - $2,000,000 x 3% = $60,000 x 70% = $42,000.  I won't do the math for the taxes I owe on that money or the expenses I paid to get those 4 houses sold, or my E&O insurance, or my personal office expenses, or...  Mary I am with you and a exception, I am not filthy or rich either.  Well looking at my fingernails after gardening late this afternoon, OK I am not rich either!

Jana

I know! It is absolutely hilarious to see the look on someone's face when you explain the "million-dollar producer" them.  I've had it said so many times that I don't even know how many times it has been said to me... oooohhh.. he's a million dollar producer-he's really doing great.  Then I tell them that depending on his split with his broker and without considering his expenses ---- yeah, he's burning up the real estate world at about $17 or 18K a year.  I just laugh at those agencies who publish those 1M and 2M dollar producers for the past calendar year (our average price is about $110K).  Yeah, making mega bucks-he's closing less than one a month.   :-D

When someone tells me that I ask what time they get to work and what time they get off. I then break down for them how much I make and devide it by the hours I work and I make less than them!

Then I ask them if they want to change jobs and work the hours I do. I havn't had anyone make the trade yet!

I've had to explain the Million Dollar Agent, as well.  One client actually thought the Agent MADE a million dollars!  Also think about what we're driving!  An Agent who flips their luxury car every year is definitely giving the impression that they're rolling in the dough.  I love driving by one of the offices in a nearby town.  Land Rovers, Hummers, Jags, Mercedes.....all the latest models!  I could never work there with my Mercedes!  Nine years old, dented, and definitely showing her age!  

LOL!

My car is 11 years old with 126K miles.  Needs a little front end mechanical work on it when I get some time and needs a paint touchup as the clearcoat is peeling.  My mechanic says it still has lots of life left and it is, honestly, the most comfortable car I have ever owned.  I drove it to Orlando and back in December/January without trouble at all and I had no neck pain like I do in other cars (old car accident leftover).  I tend to drive a car until it totally dies anyway.  "Victor" (Ford Crown victoria) is going to get a makeup job this summer and spend a spa-day with my mechanic and he'll still be going strong for a few more years!  I can't stand the thought of making car payments so I'll probably save some money so that when I do have to buy, I won't have to make payments. There is a RE company here that requires their agent's cars to be less than 5 years old.  What a stupid requirement!  

When I first moved here 10 years ago, before I was in real estate my future employer made an appointment for me with a local realtor.  She came by after my interview and we went to her office to talk. She drove a Mercedes.  I told her, nice car...you must be doing well in your business.  She said that she does alright but the car was bought by her husband .... a doctor - cardiologist to be exact!  You never know

Victor!  I like it!  My car's name is Sadie.  My previous car, a very reliable Corolla, was "Gracie".  My first car was a 1975 Baby Blue Olds Cutlass named "Suzette".  I tend to become attached to my cars (rather odd, I know). I keep them until they have nothing left.

A "certain someone" I know would say I do the same thing with husbands!  Oops, did I say that?

All my cars are boys ... the feminist side of me, I guess.

I sometimes have to remind my clients that the Check is made out to Heritage Realty not to me.  

I have found that a lot of people who question our earnings and question how easy our job is, are people who have had bad experiences with Realtors in the past.