John, most of us agents live on "Tough Street" and the further down the street the tougher. I live in the last house.

Ok, seriously, no they don't understand what we do.

I am taking some time off real estate right now, I am going to sleep it is after 11pm here.

Consumers see the 80% who don't do much business and say, "boy, they've got it easy" and they do, but of course, they're also broke. :)

Making a good living in this business does require long hours and some pretty tough work. Having said that, those who are successful could do more to educate clients on what it takes to get the job done. Even successful agents have a way of making it look easy.

There is such a fine line between letting our clients know just what we are doing for them and scaring them to death.  But good point Norm.  Plus we need to stop advertising "multi-million dollar producer"  Most people think that means we make millions of dollars, just for putting a sign in front of a house.  I think Joe Public may realize we do a whole lot more if they run into our blogs!

Jana

Mary, I'd say we're neighbors on Tough Street LOL

"do our customers really know or understand what is involved to serve them?"

NO!  But it is up to us to educate our customers, as Norm said.

I have had many discussions with customers about what they think will work and what I know does not; what is legal and what is not; and, so on.  In the end, I do get the point across that there is far more going on than they realize... it's not just a sign and a phone call.

I have to admit I had a few pre-concieved notions about real estate before I decided to get my license.  I never thought it was going to be easy; did not realize how expensive it really was to start; and most certainly thought my area's market was going to rebound much faster.

I try to educate them every step of the way. I think they are amazed at the hours we work and how much we do to get a home sold. It is the agents that don't keep their clients informed that are truly doing themselves a dis-service.

Yes, IMHO most real estate consumers do not understand what is involved for full-time Realtors.

To get a little sympathy (and some normal family hours) I explain up front that I typically work from 6:30am to about 5:30 pm during the week and then I cook for the family. On Saturdays I am available just about anytime with a 24 hours notice, and that I take Sunday off unless it is REALLY important - like working a contract, etc.

I find that providing them with my schedule up front helps them understand that I am dedicated to my business and to them as my clients. It took a while, but now the phone doesn't ring much on Sundays, as most of my clients appreciate the long hours I do put in.

I'm fairly sure that not many people know what's involved in ordering a cheeseburger from Mickey-Dee's; but I don't see Clem hemming and hawing on TV or a blog that he's got to clean up cow manure at 4 in the morning.

Maybe we ought to do our job and not be so touchy as to what people think.  Because I really don't care what kind of pitchfork Clem uses just as much as the public does not care whether we use the right form or not.

My clients really have it easy.  I do everything I can to make it easy on them.  I freely drive across town to get signatures if there is no other way to get them.  I will meet folks on lunch breaks or at soccer practice.  Whatever it takes to make it easy on them, a few notice what I'm doing for them most don't.