Is Real Estate For You?

Last week I sat with a group of 7th grade girls in Georgetown MA and I asked them what they thought they would like to be when they grew up. Among the future professionals were a lawyer, doctor, veterinarian, two singers, two artists, three fashion designers, a teacher and a whole lot of "don't knows". It occurred to me that in all my years of asking the same question of children, I had never heard any youngster say that he or she wanted to be a Realtor some day.

There are a plethora of TV shows depicting law enforcement. There are more medical shows than one viewer can ever see. Reality TV shows have saturated the networks and shows about the supernatural are on the rise. There are game shows, forensic detective shows, and anti-terrorist shows, but with the exception of real estate "tips" shows, there is no show that centers on the profession of the Realtor.

I think the- entertainment industry has a lot to learn about the heretofore untapped wealth of human interest stories that are; behind every door the Realtor opens.

In practice, real estate has far more to do with developing relationships than it has to do with structures, acreage or properties. Every - possible life event or set of circumstances that can happen to an individual or family has direct bearing on the Realtor who holds the key to the home and becomes a member of the family.

I suspect that most Realtors had little idea what the profession entailed until they began practicing. Even with my background as a nurse/attorney, I learned early on-that there is far more involved and required of the Realtor than bringing parties to the closing table.

The Realtor who is called to the home of an elderly seller whose spouse has just died has a lifetime of memories and minute to minute sadness to address beyond obtaining the square footage of the rooms. In addition, it may be most important to determine what support systems if any the distraught seller has to draw upon during such period of uncertainty.

Divorcing couples will often require the services of a Realtor in order to sell the marital home. These are generally not happy times for families engaged in the process of separation and it is not uncommon for the Realtor to be privy to emotions that range from sadness to rage. Moreover, the Realtor is often scrutinized by little eyes and ears whose lives are torn and it can be heart wrenching to be the subject of their gaze.

So multifaceted can the personal, practical and legal needs of the entire family be during such tumultuous times, that a new Divorce Certification Specialty has emerged within the profession. (The first and as far as is known only Divorce Certified Realtor in New England is located at this office. You may call for contact information.)

The Realtor who approaches the front door of the home he or she listed and finds the door unlocked or ajar has a judgment to make right there on the spot. We caution our Realtors to return to the car and telephone the police immediately for the safety of the Realtor as well as the protection and safety of the clients. There are too many stories of Realtors and or clients who have been the victims of violent crime while engaged in the practice of real estate. at other professional advertises the times, dates and address when the door will be open to a home? The professional Realtor is trained how to avoid and prepare for such circumstances.

On a lighter note, Realtors have opened bedroom closets and have come face to face with apparatus usually found in adults only locations. It has also been the case that the adults were found wearing the apparatus during a scheduled showing they "forgot about".

Sellers report the presence of ghosts to Realtors who would then require that flood lamps be provided for any after hours' showings.

When the seller neglects to secure the cage lid before leaving the home, the six foot boa is more than capable of greeting the Realtor and a prospective buyer at the front door.

Should your water; break during your visit to the Open House, the Realtor will time the contractions till the paramedics arrive.

I believe that one day I will ask the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and I will hear "I want: to be just like the Realtor who made a difference in the lives of my family and me."