Hi... My name is Debbie and I'm a workaholic... I'm so glad that I got that out of the way. There should be a 12 step plan for the self employed... but I haven't found one yet.
I don't think anyone doubts that being a REALTOR is not a 9 - 5 job. I joke that being a REALTOR isn't a profession it's a lifestyle, but it might be true. I used to have an office in the Broker's Office and "worked" the business strictly from there, it really never worked for me though. I would find myself there everyday, needing things that I hadn't brought home with me or wanting a document or file on the computer that was "at the office". I was taking very little time for myself, because I always seemed to be there.
In January of 2007 I changed brokerage companies and joined RE/MAX. I also made an improvement to my lifestyle and began working 
from home. I have a great workspace with plenty of light so that I can handle all of my business from the comfort of my own home. My cats love the fact that I work from home and Samson has become quite good at "manning" the office equipment. His support is priceless.
I find that I am more productive and able to serve my customers better by having all of my "stuff" in one place, all the time. I'm even more grateful that I don't have to commute to the office and can conserve gas as prices seem to continue to climb without reason. I've cut my socializing down to next to nothing and use that time to blog and focus on the business. I see working from home going mainstream in the years to come. By working from home, I have more time for business and myself.
Have you tried working from home or do you like the structure that an office brings you?
Debbie Summers, REALTOR®, ALHS, e-PRO, 407-758-1020 or Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com
Please contact Cas and Debbie for all of your real estate needs in Seminole County, Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Winter Park, Apopka and Orlando.
here here..I work from home too...I actually have not been back to my office for a year or so....I love it....
I LOVE working at home. I have only used my desk at my broker's office ONCE in almost one year and that was to write an offer. I love being at home and feel like I work harder and smarter too!
You are right about Real Estate being a life style. It is also not a 9 to 5 job. At times it can seem like a 24/7 job. But I also enjoy working form home. Thanks to the internet and computers we can accomplish alot for our clients at home. Happy selling. Veronica
Welcome to the RE/MAX family, Debbie. I've not know anything thing else. I, too, am a workaholic, but I just don't know if I could function out of my home. I'm glad it works for you and maybe one day I'll be able to make it work for me.
I am currently working from home and find both negative and positive benefits. I think you mentioned the benefits, but the negatives are no one to brainstorm with, and then my biggest negative. Real Estate is a social profession, yet working from home feels isolating to me. I like being around people, and had always arranged my time to allow plenty of people time.
Debbie, I recently changed companies and tried to make an impression by going to the office a few hours a week because they gave me a desk and all that jazz!! The office doesn't work for me unless I'm meeting a client. I have everything I need at home including a private office. I just do better at home and I don't have the distractions I have at the office. And, also, it is a pleasure not to have to drag my briefcase, files and laptop back and forth. I wish I had cats to help me in the office!!
Debbie, I work from home. To me it is more sensible I can juggle my career as a Realtor and as a parent. Sometimes though (more like OFTEN) I catch myself working more than I want. It's like an addiction. Once, I am behind my desk - time has no meaning. But guess what - I LOVE IT!!
We are also with RE/MAX and we both started working from home this year and love it!
Debbie - I find I can be more productive working from home ... With all the technology we use today I find I can continue on with my business from almost anywhere in the world. The sound of your voice is the same from a phone at home, at the office, or from the beach at the cottage. people today want you to be reachable, they want "you" to handle any issues that arrive in the marketing of their current home or in the purchase of their dream home.
DEBBIE - Once I started working from home, I never once thought about having an office to go to again. The office environment just wasn't for me. Too much wasted time, and not enough work getting done. Now, if I'm not working, I'm doing something that I want to do, or talking to the people that I want to talk to.
Where did you get that machine... the one with the fax-your-cat attachment?
Debbie - You topic is very timely becaues the real estate industry is seeing a huge movement with agents shifting from brokerage offices to home offices. I believe the brokerages of the future will be scaled down with less agent offices and more conference and meeting rooms. High speed internet and cellular broadband has really changed our industry because we truly have the ability to operate a mobile office.
Debbie~ I always thought of myself as an "office kind-of-girl" but now that I've joined RE/MAX, I find that I work out of the house 50% or more of the time. I find that I am very productive, conserve gas and focus more on the "business," rather than on the social opportunities that present themselves (agents sitting arourd and talking about the good, the bad and the ugly regarding their day or their recent transaction). I agree, with technology, there is no reason to drive to the office unless you are meeting a customer...P.S. Sampson looks mighty cute on that printer/scanner...but isn't his hair a hazard?? :)
Konnie- I'm not sure what took me so long... I'll never go back.
LaNita - I am so much more productive working from home... No distractions.
Veronica - I couldn't agree more... I can scan, email, fax to everyone and work my schedule...
Ron - Thanks Ron, I love RE/MAX! I believe that working from home is the future of real estate... I stay connected and manage my time more effectively. Let me know if you give it a try.
Kathy - I'm so lucky that my husband is a REALTOR too... Plus I have my other favorite REALTOR LaShawn Norden on speed dial and email for questions and to bounce ideas off of, you don't have to see them to stay connected.
Debbie, being part owner of the office, I work from the office every day. Working from home would actually allow me to do more, with less interuption. I envy you. Glad to see you are doing so well.
I've been back and forth on this issue. Lately I work more from home than at the office. But it really does stink having some things in one place (usually the place you aren't at) and other things in another place!!!
I do keep an office, and I like to work there. My big issue I have to work, is turning work OFF when I'm at home. I tend to work more.
I have now moved to an office FULL TIME and I am so much more productive!
#1 - I'm a single mom of three kids so when I leave the office I can "turn work off", well at least until I check my emails.
#2 - I LOVE being in a professional environment and feel challenged everyday.
Best of luck to you in your home office!
www.PippaMAC.com
Adam- I'm with you! I'm so much more productive and have so much more control over my life... even if I do work a lot... I love it.
I've never worked Real Estate in a Real Estate office. I've been in a home office for 4 years now. It works for me 100%!
The majority of my clients do not even relize that I work from home. They know I work for Re\Max. I had a client once that could no believe I worked so many hours per day. She called me around midnight expecting to leave a message and a quick question and I picked up the phone and shocked her. When she apoligized I reminded her that you hired me, Im here to serve.
In reality though, my wife was out of town and my kids were spending the night at the grand parents house, so I was just listening to music, surfing the net, cleaning my desk and drinking a few beers. I answered the phone out of reflex.
I also have heavy calls on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Most callers just ecpect a call back later, it shocks them if you are in the office.
Chuck - It makes an awful noise when he goes through the auto-feeder (just kidding - no cats have been harmed during the course of business)...
Sam - I couldn't agree with you more, the office of the future will be much different than we are used to.
LaShawn - Keeping his hair off of everything is a full time job... He only faxes in the cooler months.
Kay - I love working from home, I'm much happier and yes, more productive. Thank you for stopping by.
Kim - I can turn it off and on pretty easily, it just makes sense for me...
I prefer to work from the home office too. I can get other things done - like laundry, watering etc. Eat lunch at home. Save travel time. Save gas.
Debbie, I've built my entire brokerage around remote access. I like that anywhere, anytime all my agents can work. I just need the structure (and peace away from the kids) to get work done...
Debbie, First, LOVE your cat. How sweet! Since relocating to Alabama from Nashville, I am a "work at home" person. I love it! I did far too much socializing in Nashville. I am focused at home, without distractions. (I am easily distracted). If I need a social outlet, I'll go in to the office. Glad to hear it works so well for you!
AMEN! I too work from home and if I need to go to the office, it's only 4 miles away. That's a great paper weight or in this case... print weight.
Pippa- I know a lot of other REALTORS who prefer the office environment... I enjoy the freedom of working from home and with gas prices like they are... I'm saving $$$ too.
Chad - That's a great point! I love the phone to ring and like you, will take a call on a night, holiday and weekend if it doesn't interfere with "family time"... but my husband is a REALTOR and real estate is the "family business"
Georgina - I'm right here in my home office with you... I think that I'm more efficient this way. I save money on lunch and gas too!