Bill,  you bet!

"Let the games begin".  

It is early in the 1st quarter, no score,

the ball is on the 50 yard line, 1st & 10.

Is it a run, or pass play?  

are we going to fumble?

will it get intercepted?  

does the referee have one bad eye or TWO?  

are the cheerleaders cheering?

is the team ready?

is the call on one or two?

ready,set,hut,hut?????????????

AMEN to this! It's where the rubber meets the road, Bill. :)

Another thought: we get paid not just for what we do but for what we know. The transaction process can only be well managed by a knowledgeable and professional agent.

You can tell the difference between one who is and isn't when that process begins in earnest. We have to know where the experts and resources are, how to contact and coordinate with them and keep everyone performing.

Nate, it IS like a football game . . . or like being the stage manager of a theatrical production . . . makeup and costumes, mediating egos,  blocking the action, feeding lines, cueing lights, taking tickets and counting the net at the end . . . hahaha

Bill, I just explained this to a converted fsbo recently who listed with me. They had experienced John Q. Public first hand and they were tired of the weird questions.

I promised them that I would be a "buffer" (what that is in football lingo, I don't know, Nate) but I certainly had them at "buffer".

Sellers don't hear the mean comments buyers make. We tweak them a little so they are presentable. I buffer alot.

Of all the things these fsbos were impressed with, was that they didn't have to deal with the public. Because they had, and it wasn't pretty. They started as fsbos and it was worth my commission to keep people away from them. lol. Just one more service I offer.

His wife was beaming when I told her if anyone comes to the door, or asks about their house at the grocery store or anywhere, just tell them to call me. I think they were ready to write me a check right there. lol

Great points.  And it is during this timeframe that we do things that are never seen by our clients by AVERTING issues, dousing smoldering embers before they turn into raging wildfires.  

More often than not, our Clients never know about how we defuse these ticking time bombs and that's our job.  But it's a double-edged sword.  The really good ones make it look easy hence, the appearance that we make easy money!

If they only knew......

I think we earn our money by protecting clients from themselves.

This is especially true in New Construction believe it or not, but I find as being usually the new home listing agent, that the buyer's agents OFTEN disappear after they go to contract.  Then I am left trying to handle the walk thru list /inspection list with upset customers who think their new homes should be perfect  (I am sometimes tempted to tell 'em unfortunately Jesus wasn't available to build this house - lol).  

It has come to be expected for the builder's agents to have to carry the load of these transactions, and then at least here, area agents wonder why most commission rates are less.   More work and more liability for the listing ones, if you ask me.

But I do ALWAYS appreciate those who stick around and actually manage their fiduciary duties to their clients and actually earn that commission. They are few and far between.

Have any guesses to how many times I have even NEVER EVEN SEEN the agent?   LOTS & LOTS in my business.  Hate writing those checks out to them...  have to admit it.