It is scary, I agree. My last closing was 5 weeks ago, 4 closing lined up have blown up due to the lending markets, but thats the current situation.

I am lucky in that my wife works and carries the insurance on us and the kids. So with that they are covered but I am not meeting my current bills and she has to kick in now. Sure we don't have the extra money to blow at the moment, we have to watch what we spend on, and at times she gets cranky, but thats the nature of this business.

What we have done in my house is cut expenses. As long as we have a home, pay utitities, feed the kids its all good.

This topic got me thinking....when someone asks you - at a party, supermarket etc.... "what do you do for a living" how do you answer.....

I think it would be interesting to hear what people say

I tell them Im a Realtor. Thats what I am, thats what I do.

I tell people that I do realestate (Iam a Realtor), but I hit all aspects of the business,It's my life.......LOL. I love what I do.

Things can't be all that bad if you found the Jing-Wah to put up that Halloween Tree that no one else has. That probably perked her up.

I say that I sell real estate, and I say it with enthusiasm. And I don't say some line like "I make your dreams come true...call me..."

blech

i get a lot of respect in this profession. at hte end of the day it comes down to how you carry yourself. in life, if you demand respect, you get it. if you dont, you wont.

To use a Perky Word: My wife Loaths the halloween tree!

well, I think it's cool. As soon as hubby finishes destroying the front of the house and actually constructs the new front porch, we'll have a Halloween Tree on our porch - but next year. I thought that was a coooool idea. But it will be outside.

The Dreaded "L" Word. I temper all my comments with the fear of someone using that "L" Word on me again.

I think I last had the "L" Word whispered in my ear by a Female Customer whose house has lost $300,000 in value since we sold it to her. She was pushing some of those 6" long Turkey Pins into a VooDoo Doll while on the phone with me late one night, repetitiously saying . . . . "I loathe you !" like some kind of mantra.

I was rendered somewhat speechless so I just said, "Well Thank You; What a delightful thing to say!" Now my neck is hurting real bad !

That's when I started reviewing those Coffin Catalogues !

There is nothing more creepy than to have the "L" word whispered in your ear, by someone who's using it to describe their feelings for you!

My sympathies, Vermont.

I don't think getting respect has anything to do with the line of work you're in, but everything with how you do it. When asked, I tell people proudly that I'm running a real estate agency. Oh, and give them my business card. Of course.