I'm out.

When I started doing BPO's it was for beer money. $200 a month was great. Then everything blew up and I had contractors to manage, operational systems to build, and off-shore accounts. I'll be the first to admit that I never had any interest in selling RE. I got my license for MLS access, the ability to find and buy investment properties, and the occasional deal to help a friend. I stumbled onto this site back in '07 and signed up with all of the companies, BEFORE I was licensed. The day after getting licensed I got my first order, then 20, the 40, then 100, etc.

Looking back I've come to realize that I wasted a lot of time doing this stuff. It's like crack. The kids soccer games were missed, the wife started referring to me as the hermit in the basement, and I racked up a crapload of miles on my vehicle. My devilish side does enjoy being attacked by pit-bulls while doing an interior, getting shot at for being the wrong color in the wrong part of town, and falling through basement stairs. Good fun! On the other hand, I have realized that my quest to dominate my market succeeded, and all I got out of it was fee reductions and anguish. They didn't even send me a stinkin' T-shirt

The sad part is the contractors who will no longer get paid. They actually rely on the money to make it through the month. I always considered this gig and RE in general a joke, but this will impact others more than it will ever impact me.

I think there is some type of saying that goes, "Play the Game, Don't be the Game". In my opinion, we are all being gamed, and I'm leaving with my sanity.

Best of luck to everyone. This forum is the de-facto place to go when you want to learn something. Kudos to the folks who built and operate this venue.

Your a brave brave soul, and strong too! Best of luck... what the hey are you planning now?

"another one bites the dust" (yay)

Oh, I'm sorry, did I type that out loud? Well, anyways, it seems you're doing what's best for you and your family. Best of luck to you always

Beer money should have been fun for a while!

But seriously, some of us are stuck in this business, one way or another. Personally, I'd like to move on but I have to put food on my family's table, and currently have no other options for income.

You didn't say it, but I will. This business now sucks big time. The changes in this industry have affected most of us and our contractors in a big way. When I called a favorite contractor for a trash-out recently, he actually came up and gave me a hug when I met him at the property.

Welcome to the new normal!

And best of luck to you Ryan!

Ryan, Well wishes on your next endeavor...

Hope you at least drop in once in a while and let us know how you are doing. Best of luck.

Good luck Ryan, you made good contributions to the forums.



This is the nagging feeling I've been having lately. Why did I put so many years and effort and sacrifice into a business I can't:
A)sell.
B)expand on any major scale
C)control my own destiny. i can't come up with new products, enter new markets, or evolve. i just have to take what the middlemen in this industry give me.


I won't make the same mistake again.

For those of you who can't/don't want to exit, please make sure you have some sort of plan B. Its only going to get worse from here.

I'm hearing similar thoughts from a lot of agents and brokers.

I agree that the deck is stacked against us and we're being squeezed out. We are no longer in charge of our own destiny.

No matter how good you are (you may be the BEST at what you do), there are no rewards except the feeling of a job well done. Dwindling monetary compensation resolutely is destroying that sense of accomplishment, however. When you look at your commission check (especially LAs), you feel used and sometimes embarrassed. When your office mgr hands you your check with a sad, rueful look, knowing how hard you worked to get that small amount, you realize that you may be working for less than s/he.

The only possibly positive anomaly I see (in my area) with respect to the BPO sector, is that BPO mills are running out of victims. I see the same BPO requests coming over my desk again and again. This indicates that few agents are taking them anymore. If that trend continues we could see a change for the better. OR mills will find ways to get the reports done without agents. It's a 50/50 chance.

I've looked at just dumping the REO part and concentrating on BPO's only. The bank sellers are getting a little nuts with requirements (weekly dated picture, monthly marketing reports that are just BPO's, crazy requests like sending tasks at 6PM with due times of the next day at Noon).

At least on the valuation side, you can say yeh or nay. And I'm finding that people doing BPO's are dropping like flies. I got the same interior request yesterday from 3 different mills, one of whom assigns. I was able to pick the best paying one, which was not the one that assigns. And I'm more able to negotiate fees with some mills that before would just say no.

Sounds like someone should have followed the saying "work smarter, not harder". I agree the business is getting worse, but I can still crank out 200-300 a+ reports a month without too much bother. However I have a great system in place that allows me to do so. There are definitely some frustrations that come along with it, but I still take most of the weekend off and usually have free time throughout the week. The REO business on the other hand is starting to get to me. I would rather do BPO's, than sell some POS in the ghetto and make $1,000. REO is starting to become more of a bother, but I still make some money from it so I will keep at it.

I dumped the REO business about six months ago. I have just one REO listing left and when that is gone, I am gone from that sector. When I figured out that the idiot "transaction coordinator" in India who can't even speak English and who has almost destroyed the contract the property is under more than once was making more than I was, that was it for me.

BPOs are clearly a suicide path at this point, too. There is a reason agents are turning them down, and that reason is they don't pay enough to make it worthwhile when they keep upping and upping the amount of work necessary to collect your $40 or $50 a crack.

I am not giving up on the real estate business entirely, though. There are some niches out there that might make life worth living again, and I intend to pursue them.

Not every.single.bit of the real estate business has been taken over by unresponsive banks, outsourced morons, and cutthroat price cutting BPO mills.

I look back and realize the biggest mistake I made was not realizing that the banks/BPO companies do hold all the cards. No matter how hard you work, they can send orders back for any BS reason. Also, I never thought I would see fees drop so far. I actually see orders from Old Republic for $30...and the orders get picked up in under 3 mins. The only positive thing I have seen is that orders in more rural area sit and no one takes them. That has allowed me leverage to get higher fees on those few orders.
I am prettty much leaving the business....I have a resume together and have taken classes to change fields.

Ryan- Best of luck to you. While this is a lot tougher grind than it once was, I am still able to make a living by changing some of how I do business. For openers, I will not touch FB during the day, no more drumming or cooking websites during BPO time. My personal distractions eat tons of my time. I am a firm believer that while the pay cuts suck, added stuff sucks as well...that I can work a bit smarter, tweak some stuff and still make a living.Lots of folks here have been going off the last couple of days. While I do understand their point, go work at some corporation and tell me how much you enjoy that. They do the "work for less, take on more" thing much more than we are seeing with BPOS.

Anyhoo.. Everybody knows what is best for them and I certainly hope things work out for you. I too, am "the hermit in the other room"...it pays our bills and probably my absence helps the marriage in some twisted way...LOL.

Best to you My Bruthah!

Bah! You'll be back. One day a BPO order will come in and you'll say oh just this one. Then an REO assignment will come and you will say this one won't be so bad I'll do one more. Like you said Ryan it's like crack. But best of luck to you.

Good luck in your future endeavors! I am wondering what you and some others here have in mind as "alternate" businesses, or are you going to get a "gasp" real job?

I have worked my butt off, am also the hermit in the other room, doing bpos and Reos, trying to do everything just right and on time and my commissions are getting lower and bpos are getting longer. I couldnt even find someone to rekey yesterday, everyone is quitting!

And getting scored!!! I can't even comment on that. The AM's I have worked with have been great, it's the policies and super stringent rules that are killing us.

Don't want to give up though, since I still have to eat!!

Good luck to you, Ryan! Drop by and tell us where you've landed, once you start your next moneymaker.

I do tend to agree with ColoBroker . . . This is like a drug, and I know it is.

Good luck.

It's worse than a drug. It's psychological conditioning-- "intermittent reinforcement". Every once in a while, in a consistently losing or painful situation or one of ever-dwindling returns (even in relationships), you get a reward. And for that rare occurrence, you keep doing the same thing over and over.

I refer to real estate as an abusive relationship. Like the really bad boyfriend who is cruel. But then he brings you flowers and you start to think.....oh, if only I had done it better, if only this, if only that. Well he didn't mean to, I will stick it out a bit longer.

Brilliant! The best analogy so far!

Real estate and BPOs remind me alot of when I used to wait tables and tend bar. I was hooked in by the interaction with people and the unpredictability (of the routine) and the security of leaving every night with cashola.

Some nights were better than others for reasons both predictable and controlable and also unpredictable and out of my control.

In a pinch I would return to waiting tables if I needed to bring home cash. A good double would only equal a crappy day at BPOs though. Bartending takes too long to develop a solid clientelle that trust and like you and all the good tenders are tenured in their spots. It's like trying to get in with BOA or something. Waiting is easier to crack into a good shift. Breakfast and lunch are easier quick turn events. If you can juggle large sections you can earn good money. Just need some comfortable sneakers.

Just got this for Chase assets:

Follow the directions and upload weekly photos. Please include the following photos:

o Street scene showing yard sign.

o Home entry with Lockbox.

o For Sale sign in window.

o Photos of lights on and water running

o Interior condition

o Backyard (Pool/Spa if present)

...And when will I have time to actually sell the assets???

All of them are pretty bad, but number one cracks me up. Like it'll ever change.

Due, OMG!!! is this thru a Chase oursourcer or Chase direct ? I have not received the email yet. What will they think of next? I just need street, front, rear and address verification for weekly checks.

qeue Super Realtor to explain to us again why he doesnt do BPO's anymore.

Good luck Ryan.

Just thinking, with everyone thinking about plan B and so many experienced agents jumping ship, I need to be thinking about plan B too. I have 2 friends who have small Ebay businesses. One nets about 5K per month and spends about 20 hours per week. The other grosses 12K per month and spends 50-60 hours per week. I know my expenses are more than theirs and know any small business can be a pain, but with BPO fees & commissions decreasing, additional BPO and REO requirement, upfronting contractor cost, MLS, board dues, NAR dues, paying to get reimbursed, putting up with bad QC among other deminishing returns........maybe it is time to find plan B and use BPO and REO's as a supplement income. Would like to hear what you guy think.

Start a garden....if it's still legal in your state. I'm making my meager plot of land produce something for once other than grass and weeds. The strange part is, I like it a whole lot more than I thought I would.

The little lady tells me to think of a Plan B and C. We've backed ourselves up with stock of commodities to last us a good long while if our income was lost (but that's not a good enough backup for her). If it's not in your plans, make it so. Get out of much debt as possible, including your house!!! Even if you have to make uncomfortable cuts to do so. No telling where this road is going for sure....although the sign posts have given us good clues.

Ryan...best of luck to you. I can't add anything else to what has been written. I'm sure this was a tough decision. Go Well and stop by and let us know how you are doing.

well....I gotta go get my next fix...

Thru an outsourcer. I really don't think this was a Chase idea. Just another "added value" scheme by the outsourcer to "impress" Chase. GRC (of the 40 pictures of a 600sf condo) tried the same thing about 2 years ago. Picture of lights on, water running, etc. Ridiculous.

SELL THE DANG ASSET!!! Respond to offers! Try to negotiate rather than kill a deal! Hire more AMs! Hire ACUTAL Asset Mangers-- people who can manage assets, and not just push a button to do a deal.

Mine are through outsources too. Like you say, this is an added requirement of the outsource....not Chase. Again, I say, what will they think of next. Chases policy of repairing is slowing me getting properties on market and locally the high selling season ends about the middle of July (to have under contract.) After that, it is investors wanting to steal the property. And after repairing, investors will not pay the price.

Please God, no!

Please no. Stop it right now.

and Ellen too....

Is that luck you're wishing me?

If so, thank you.

But if you're trying to lump me in with Super Realtor, who has been going on and on for more than a year about how dumb anyone would have to be to do BPOs, you've got the wrong number.


BPOs have been a good gig for me or a long time. It's true I hope to be out of them altogether by this time next year. But I've hardly been going on and on about it. You probably won't hear any more about it after this week, either. Once I make up my mind, I rarely look back or need a lot of vindication for my decisions.

I plan to quote you on this. See because Im not going anywhere.

You'll wait a long time for a chance. When I say I'm done, I'm done.

But in spite of the bristly fur you're flashing at me, good luck to you, I wish you well. Anyone as determined as you are to make a thing work, undoubtedly will.

Did I just hear cats fighting?

The BPO biz is making agents turn on each other.

I've found Ellen's comments to be useful and informative, and I think this forum will be worse off if she stops posting. Now I can see how others might not like to hear what she says. If that's the case, just use the ignore feature, don't make things personal.

I agree with Grexley, nothing she said came off as condescending, don't feel pressured to stop posting Ellen. It is too bad that the actions of these companies are causing this, but its reality. Lets keep the communication open and keep disagreements to an agree-to-disagree tone.

best of luck to you ... I'm sure you will do well with whatever you do next

Was my invite to Ellen's pity party lost in the mail?

I don't think anybody ran her off, I do not think the mills and their fee cutting has anything to do with this. She had enough, she threw the towel in and split. I do not mind somebody griping, we all stop by and talk about the pains of the business. But(this is just my opinion), it seemed to go and on, from thread to thread. It can get a bit tiresome to constantly read about how bad the BPO business is, how bad that mill is, how you can not make any money any more...it is just negative energy and I have not problem with somebody getting called out on it after awhile. Yes, things are tougher than they were, pay is less, QC is tougher, gas is more. It is a rougher gig than it used to be. Some of us are choosing to tweak our processes, work more hours, sign on with more mills and grind it out. I still think you can make a living at this. Not like it was, but it is do able(in my opinion). Hopefully, some of the processes, successes as well as hiccups can be shared here and learned from.
But, I do not think anybody ran Ellen off. She chose to leave on her own.

I've gotten a lot from Ellen's posts in the past, I hope that she remains active here.

Both Ellen and Super Realtor seem to be very intelligent, accomplished individuals. I admire what both of them have created in their businesses and value their input on this board. More importantly, I believe them to be LEGITIMATE, unlike some participants here. One of the reasons I come to this board, still...after so many years...is to keep my finger on the pulse of what is going on in this industry. In years past when it was deadly slow in my area, by coming here I could see that others across the country were getting plenty of work so I attributed the slowdown some geographical disparity in the analysis required by servicers at that moment in time. And that's just the tip of the iceberg that represents the value I've received from the forum.

Where I find myself getting ruffled on this forum (related or not to the two individuals being singled out in this thread...which borders on inappropriate in my opinion) is constant repetition of business models and self aggrandizement. In fact it is the repetition that makes it appear as self aggrandizement. You pretty much have to toot your own horn to relay your business model and the results your getting...but you don't have to to do it on every semi-related thread and on every new occurrence of a related topic. On the flip side, I attribute this irritation of mine to the fact that I *am* a long term member of the forum and I read just about every post. It's a double edge sword that I will necessarily get stale topics if I continue to come here for new information. It's my personal choice whether I read it, skip it, block it, roll my eyes, step away from the computer or, as some here have done, go on the attack to attempt to make it stop.

We all have bad days, some of us (me included) are having more bad days than good days due to the state of our industry. My bad days have resulted in inappropriate or unprofessional postings before. I have regrets, sometimes I wish I had just walked away. It's basically a virtual water cooler here right? If someone walks up you don't want to talk to, walk away. Only the moderators have the right to "control" the conversation and based on my assessment of past feedback, most users here like it when there is LESS moderation.

So, here's to more eye rolling, more stepping away from the computer, hopefully less repetition and (heaven help us all) more work.

Cheers!

Very well said H&B.

Ellen, I wish you the best. These are tough choices to make in the face of the ever changing business we are in. I have been involved in this end of the business for so long I am embarrassed to say how long...and I have seen so many changes it is scary. We all need to be true to ourselves and do what is best for ourselves and our families.

I get these daily inspirationals from a good friend. They are the first things I open and read every morning, coffee in hand, before my other e-mails.

Today's seem so appropriate for this thread.

Flexible

I experience the fullness of life.
Because I am flexible, I never give up on myself or my dreams. When a change seems to alter my plans, I don't give in to feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. My divine purpose is to be creative and to find fulfillment in whatever I am doing.

Any tendency to be rigid in my thinking falls away as I welcome divine ideas into my awareness. There is more than one way to the fulfillment of my heart's desires. A whole new world of possibilities is open to me.

Pressures or fears may threaten to derail my dreams; however, I am a spiritual being and I do not veer off the course on which Spirit is leading me. I eagerly move forward and experience the fullness of life with flexibility and the expectancy of good.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.--Philippians 4:13

I love this. Great post!

Man...just when I was breaking out the popcorn, it's over!

Bye Ryan! Sorry to see you go, I know you will be missed around here.

In our current employment market Plan B could be....
A. Welcome to Walmart.
B. Would you like fries with that?
C. Hey I know I had X number of lbs. of aluminum scrap you are shorting me.
D. Do you want salt on the rim of that margarita?
E. Yes, I go to the airport. Would you like to share the cab ride with another person?
F. So, if the towels are on the floor we replace them but if they rehang them we leave them to save water?
G. Hey! Are you authorized to be here? OK, go ahead. (alternate) I am sorry but that is a one trip salad bar.
H. Hello, I represent XYZ company and have an amazing offer for you today.
I. Could I recommend a Slurpy with your hot dog purchase? We have a new flavor.
J. But, I can't get any more dishes washed until I bus table 7.
K. Sorry, we are out of fresh bait. Frozen only. We will have fresh bait again tomorrow.
L. Yes, I will trim the tree at no cost since you are such a good lawn customer.
M. Hello Ma'm I have a whole truckload of great meat and since I am at the end of my route I can make you a really good deal.
N. Your shoe size is a 9 wide?
O. Would you like a table dance?
P. The mate on this boat works for tips.
Q. That color is perfect on you. Can we ring it up now?
R. Would you like paper or plastic?
S. Yes, We can pump out that septic tank as soon as we find the cover.
T. So, you want the Shrimp Fettucini special but you want to share it on two plates? I have to ask my manager.
U. Would you like to upgrade the express wash with a tire shine?
V. I am sorry the pump did not print out your receipt I can take care of that for you right here.
W. God, Please let my 6 numbers be the the right ones. They are my childrens and grandchildrens ages.
X. Just Put the money in the bag. No alarms and no dye packs.
Y. Yes, I really believe that the magnets in these wrist bands have helped my health. Would you like a set for the wife as well? The second set is half price.
Z. Of course I can sell your unrealisticly priced, unmaintained property. Just give me a chance.

The prior post was just in jest and not intended to offend anyone. I am a true believer that if you do not attack another person in a post, that post should remain here.

I wish all who find the need to leave this wierd business for what ever reason the best that can happen for them.

I am trapped. There is no market for my former talents as Tool and Die Maker, Engineer, or any of the other automotive related skills that I trained for in this particular part of the country.

Thus, I have little choice but to hang in there. Back long long ago and not so far away I was retired. Now I am working longer hours but, have found an area that works for me. My wife is the people person and does well in that part of the business.

I prefer to commute across the living room in my jammies and pound on a keyboard. It works for us but I do not really know what we would do outside of Real Estate.

Best of luck and best wishes to all.

ROFL Ohh Grampa... I havent been here in awhile and I think I missed you the most !!!

Grampa, You crack me up. You were sorely missed.

I only visit seldomly and remember this site being a little more positive than what I'm reading tonight. This type of negative energy is cancerous. It benefits us all to maintain this forum as a place used exclusively for professional development and constructive criticism.

I challenge everyone to embrace differences, respect the individual, and have a teachers heart.

We are all adults here, we can all be honest about whats going on. The world is not made of marshmallows. Maybe I am in the minority here, but I don't feel like being patronized by my colleagues like I am in 1st grade. Keep it open and honest, say what you want.

I missed all these posts..............

Hey if many want to stay doing bpo's I say go for it and the best to you.

What I find almost comical is the endless posts of mills cutting fees,increasing tat's,etc.

This is a revelation how?? Unless your head has been in the sand for awhile you have seen these changes coming for a long time.Complaining about all these companies sticking it to brokers/agents isn't going to change what they are doing and their future plans.It's all about the dollar and you as a broker/agent are expendable.

I guess because brokers/agents can't vent out and bite the hand that feeds them they do it here.

If by some miracle fees don't go down more expect controls and added information to go up.So essentially you will have a decrease in ROI anyways from the report taking longer for the same pay.

For those that mention possibly leaving bpo's (you have every right to consider and discuss it just like others have the right to decide to stay in it).I would look at if you stay doing bpo's what does the landscape look like 2,3,4, years from now??

What other niches of RE are more fruitful and going on the up cycle instead of a downward one??Spotting and trend and capitalizing on it early is key.When everyone sees it is when the market becomes flooded and the returns start shrinking.

LOL ... that's Hall of Fame stuff right there

Bone, you don't get it. Many agents on this forum have time on their hands since the slow down and can easily handle a 2nd business. Does not matter what your plan B is (Walmart or engineer), but is a back-up in case our industry continues on its downward path. Bone, I am glad that you are so busy that you do not need to think about a back up plan and feel comfortable that a few years down the road you will be getting those big bucks from REO's and BPO's.

PS: Grandpa, you are too funny.

Insert whistle here.

weh a wehe werrrrr
ba neh nahhhh (metallic sounding)
weh a wehe werrrrr
ba neh nahhhh (metallic sounding)


Did that come through like the beginning of a Eastwood western?

Well, Ryan I don't blame you, but the irony is that REO Expo was full of newbies and that means some areas are still kicking a... if the industry still offers a little bit of work for some of us we will hang in there. I am barely filling out the spaces some of the big non minorities are not getting. It definitely changed from 2006 thru today....you have to check those boxes asking your gender, origin, and sexual preference in order to keep working.

Best of luck!

Got it after the Eastwood Reference.

Love the list, Grampa . . . I'm already doing some of those things, at least occasionally (I'm a scrap hounder). And I have rental property to take car of (it's mine - we're maybe going to fund our retirement in large part with the rentals). And I hostess a yard sale every now and then.

I do agree that having a plan B, and a supplemental plan C is a great idea. <-- I've believed that to be a great idea no matter what field I was working in. I was in defense contracting for close to 20 years . . . and that was a dicey ride even in the Reagan days because contracts could be terminated so quickly. So planning for the downside is not new here.

I forgot about Yard Sales which my mom used to do a lot of. She would go to estate auctions and then resell at a yard sale in her front yard. She started her first business at 50 years old and now at 84 is on the town council (reelected 5 times) and has a video store, coin laundry and tanning salon in a town of about 1000 people.

As I said it was in jest but it is not a bad idea to at least look for options.

Tell ya what, Grampa knows what he is talking about. I have a buddy that has been doing the estate sale/ yard sale thing for years. He spends a lot of time looking for one mans discards and turning them into another mans treasures. It requires a lot of time, but the guy I speak of makes some decent cake in his spare time doing this...

Your comment on a coin laundry made me think back -- I had a vending machine business in the mid-80s to early-90s, back when I was in defense contracting, drilling as a Reservist, and managing a couple of rental properties. (Who needed sleep?)

I regret ever having sold those vending machines! They dispensed a shot of cologne for a quarter -- and made bunches of bucks/week in the boot-scootin' clubs and larger bars.

Yea but for who? Sounds like those who put on show did well but those agents were forking over some cash. A lot of noobs in the business but it doesn't mean they are doing well.

Plan B Ideas:

My sister had a roommate who'd do a webcam of her feet and make money showing off her feet.

Her roommate also signed up over at SeekingArrangement and paid her half of the rent that way.

My cousin shares a space at an antique consignment store and she resells estate and yard sale treasures. She said if you paint anything for the outdoor periwinkle-blue it will sell fast.

Temping at a property mgmt temp agency is great way to learn new neighborhoods you wouldn't learn about otherwise.

I have been 1/2 owner of a parking lot paint striper machine for a cou[ple of years. We have the stncils for handicapped parking and everything. I consider it potential income.

My partner can also slurry seal.

You know, with all the great ideas here for sideline or second businesses, I believe we'll all do fine.

Preserve the sanctity of marriage and become a legal ordained minister in less than 5 minutes -- for free here ! For a couple hundred dollars, you can be certified to perform wedding ceremonies and earn extra money.

Or you could stand on the corner of a busy intersection and hold a sign.

I am watching Cars tonight and thought of all the major animated films in recent years such as Shreck and Kung Fu Panda and Toys.

Think how Hollywood has been impacted by this. I wonder if the actors and their agents feel like us a little. Now they are hoping their voice is good enough to get them a starring role in a movie that make enough people laugh that a sequel is assured....great double or triple the work for less pay.

What about musicians? Everyone kifes the product without buying it in the store as was standard 10 short years ago. Now where is thir revenue stream?

Wild stuff. Things change.

I have a good friend who is a pretty well known voice actor(Pinky from Pinky and the Brain, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). the buiness has been great to him, but I think some of the true voice talent gets a bit annoyed when a Brad Pitt or George Clooney gets the big gig just because of who they are, not because they are a true "voice actor". In terms of music, yes a lot gets ripped off, but a good amount gets purchased as well. Yu can buy single tracks on Itunes of most any song. Did not use to be able to do that. Buying digital music online is very easy and a good amount gets sold due to that...

I have seen them standing on the corner but they do not need a sign.

Many thought it but someone had to type it.

It's cool to hear the inside track on the voice stuff.

Good luck to you Ryan! We all have to do what is best for us and our families. If you have your backup plan in place, you will do just fine. I found this forum a few years ago just as I was starting to go to school to get my bachelors degree in IT. I think I must have had a bad real estate day so I signed up to go to school. Four years and 80K later, I have decided to stay in real estate but to change my business model. BPO's helped me keep my bills current while I worked on school. I have been blessed to have that revenue stream. Now that I have graduated (cum laude by the way) I am not so concerend about cranking them out for such low fees. It is more dollar productive for me to ramp up my business again on the retail side. I read the broker stats for my area and there are people who are not nearly as smart as they think they are making lots of $$ in real estate. The key is to get out of bed each day and work-- but work hard! If you are not passionate about something you have to change what you are doing. For those of us who have been used to making a good income at BPO and REO work in the past, it is hard to see the $$ slipping away. We have to always be thinking about our next move and planning for the future. For some that will be in RE and for others it will be in another line of work. You have to do what you love and love what you do!