I know that no one likes to talk salary but I would like it someone can share some info. How much did you make your first year after taxes ? How much did you spend your first year on all the additional costs that come with real estate ( advertising , etc..)? The answer I usually see is that they didn't make enough but everyone can live off of different amounts .

You kidding? That's about all Lindenmoe talks about.

I don't know of anyone who says that they make "enough".

Brown would have to look at the numbers of someone whose business is structured similarly to his/hers in the same general kind of setting with the same Commission structure and market conditions.

We're all the same . . . . and yet different.

This be true. I keep asking myself...as I haven't really expended much in marketing this year (which hasn't grossed or netted me anything), if I were to at least contribute more to marketing, would my income increase? Although one would think it would, I have my doubts.

Now you'll tell me my doubts are what would keep progress from reaching higher income.

It's too bad that Real Estate doesn't have a simple CASH COW Formula like for every 23¢ spent, you can count on a 58¢ return in your pocket . . . . but there isn't any certainty in this business; nor any immediate gratification . . . . everything is deferred.

I just closed on a place that I originally went to take a look at in June of 1998 . . . . the Floridians were thinking about selling their Vermont Summer Retreat, and I did a listing presentation and gave them my opinion of value last Century; they said "they'd get back to me when they're ready". I've had them on my Newsletter Mailing List for 13 years! So this year they decided to sell, and that is what we did. I guess they wanted to divest themselves before they died . . . . so that was just a lucky shot. Took only 11 weeks from List Date to Close. I'm glad I wasn't counting on that Commission in 1998.

Some good things are worth waiting for; other things turn into Boobie Prizes. I continue to advertise in the local print media NOT because the newspapers say that they will produce a good return . . . . but because I need to still have a presence when the market turns.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day . . . . so don't count your Eggs until they've become McNuggets. There's a lot of work in between.

But, if you can visualize a goal . . . . you can achieve it.

That's what I tell mySelf anyway !

Your story is phenomenal! That is certainly diligent work for sure. I think I would have given up. I was amazed to have someone in my website for two years and out of the blue emailed to say they wanted to sell. Unfortunately, it didn't sell but hopefully next year. But, they have a 'problem' lot - gorgeous house but a 'problem' lot so that cuts down on the buyer pool for sure.

I'm glad to hear they contacted you...1998...that's too funny. How much in actual dollars do you think you invested in them until you got the listing?

Not much! Can't be much more than $40.00 to $50.00 . . . . just a few mailings each year. Once I've got a Listing Prospect on my Mailing List, it's just a waiting game that costs very little. I only take people off my Mailing List when they die or when they list with someone else . . . . which seldom happens.

I don't hound people . . . . either they want to do business with me or not. I just have to plant enough seeds so that I can make do with those that germinate; and not get crocodile tears over those that don't . . . . it's just a numbers game.

When someone says "I'll call you when I'm ready", it's hard to believe them, but "some" are truthful . . . . not many but "some". And the thought of selling doesn't go away by itself. My Newsletter is just a vehicle to remind them that I'll be here when it's time to act.

With people getting on in age, it's important to remember that parting with some assets is often "life altering event", or a coming to terms with one's mortality. It's traumatic. We always have to be sensitive to life stages and the changing concerns of people in different age groups and varying financial conditions.

Before these Sellers made their final departure to Florida, we took them to dinner, and even then, after having contemplated this sale for at least the past 13 years, the Wife was occasionally tearing up when talking about divesting themselves of this place here that they dearly loved. They really didn't want to sell . . . . it's an emotional matter for many.

But what you gonna do . . . . stop the passage of time ?

Time waits for no man (or woman); and plays no favorites among the rich or poor. It's just a matter of time before every piece of Real Estate around here has a new Owner; I'd just like to participate in a few of the changeovers.

13 years is hardly any time at all in the larger scheme of things. I can hold my breath that long for some of my efforts to bear fruit. Remember, "Winners never quit, and Quitters never win !"

Let's see....In 1991? I don't remember. What I do remember is that I closed on 6 properties.

Spent about 12k (gas included.) Didn't make a dime the first 9 months. Closed 4 since (7k) with 5 under contract should close before end of year for (20k.) Nearly all the $$$$ spent was marketing because for some reason no one knew I was an agent! Least now people know, and am getting 3 to 4 listings a month off past marketing. It will be a year end of Dec.