Here’s another error from The New York Times Magazine article on real estate agents titled, “Endangered Species” by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt. See “If Only Poor Writers Were an “Endangered Species” Part 1 of 3” for the first 3 errors.
Error #4: “Most real estate agents seem to spend 95% of their energy chasing clients…and 5% actually serving them.” That means in a 40 hour work week (I WISH!) I spend only 2 hours a week actually serving my clients. Let’s see, last Friday I spent 4 1/2 hours working on new marketing for a listing back on the market after the buyer failed to qualify for financing. I spent 1 hour on this blog and a 1/2 hour on miscellaneous tasks.
Saturday, I spent 7 hours working with buyers looking in Oak Lawn and Berwyn. I spent 2 hours on marketing and 1 hour on this blog.
Sunday, I spent 4 1/2 hours hosting an open house for another agent’s listing, 3 hours on marketing, 1 hour on e-mails and 1 hour on this blog. I took the evening off to watch the Oscars.
Yesterday, I spent 2 1/2 hours on the Arlington Heights Broker Tour viewing new homes on the market in Arlington Heights to stay knowledgeable on the market. Then I spent 1 hour writing about it on this blog. I spent 2 hours talking with a new client learning what she needs for a house in Chicago and setting up searches in the MLS for her. I spent 2 hours answering e-mails and another 3 hours on marketing and other non-client serving tasks.
Today, I was in class to become an Accredited Buyer’s Representative from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After I got home, I spent two hours doing work for 4 different clients. Now I’m writing a post for this blog again.
I’ll be in class again tomorrow. After I get home I’ll be checking searches for my buyer clients, answering e-mails and writing a post for this blog.
Chances are good I may be showing more condos in Berwyn on Friday which will take at least 3 hours of my time.
Saturday morning I will be meeting with a new client learning her needs for a house in the northern suburbs. In the afternoon I will be in Gurnee helping another buyer I’ve been working with.
With so much time spent on clients this week, I guess I can take next month off! 😉
UPDATE 03/11/06: Link to Part 3 of 3