William's Places

More Than A Realtor...

Can you possibly imagine anyone being so committed to their jobs that they eat, drink, sleep, and breathe it?

Of course, there are people who are like that. Are they successful? Maybe. Are they satisfied with their lives? I seriously don't know the answer to that, but I'd suspect that deep down inside, they have a hidden box of regrets and a bag of coulda/woulda/shouldas.

I've had the opportunity to read some pertty nifty blogs by other realtors lately which have, in their own way, expressed a sentiment which may be growing amongst those not only in the real estate industry but in other occupations as well. That sentiment? Discovering, or rediscovering, what is truly important in life. That, for some, has meant a shift in their priorities from business related maters to family related matters, personal health, etc.

Several recent experiences and personal failings  that I have had in real estate, and the blogs that I have read lately, has got me thinking: am I really focused on real estate as I should be?

I had to change that thought. The more important question for me is, Am I only a realtor?

Now, this is not to decry those agents or other professionals who follow the maxim of 24-7 service for their clients. If they can do it and still maintain a life, then they are to be commended for such discipline and dedication to their profession.

Me? I'm more than a realtor.

Every single real estate professional, whether they are a broker, agent, morgage lender, home inspector, appraiser, home stager, etc. can attest to the fact that their lives are more than just their chosen profession(s), and I will not attempt to summarize the many lives that we lead and live here.

But I can talk about me.

First and foremost, I am a father and husband. There are times when the center of my attention must be my wife and children, because I love them dearly and when all is said and done, they are the ones I am home with.

I am also a son, a grandson, a nephew, and an uncle. I must spend time with my mother and grandmother, and do all I can to take care of them as they get older. My grandmother is up in age and is chronically ill, so I have to tend to her the best I can while also tending to my own home. I also love spending time with and helping my elderly aunt - my grandmother's surviving sister, and I have two nephews and a neice who need time with their uncle, who is more times than not the only positive male role model they have in their lives.

I am also a Christian. I have recently made some changes in my church affiliation, but that does not stop the work that I am called to do. I still love visiting the sick, teaching, and helping those whom God has placed in my path with the gifts He has given me to be a blessing to others by. I love to pray, and I love to spend time with God alone, without inturruption, and most of all, I love to worship Him on Sundays. I've made the msitake of letting my commitment to being a realtor interfere with that in the past, but no longer, because as my wife has been telling me, God comes first, and I do not want to cross Him.

I am also a teacher. Interestingly enough, this one aspect of my life has been construed as more of a hinderance to my being an effective realtor than what I would give it credit for. The only problem that it poses is, as a matter of school policy, not being able to answer calls during school hours. But, during the day, I still have access to e-mail, and there are a few moments each day (not many) in which I can play phone tag with my clients. What this ultimately means is that I have a balancing act to play for 180 days, for 5 hours a day ( I wouldn't dare call anyone at 7 a.m. in the morning regarding real estate).

What does that ultimately mean for anyone who does and/or would do business with me as a realtor?

First thing, it means that I am available, and based on both of our schedules, I can clearly communicate the extent of that availability.

What it also means is that nothing is cast in stone, and I can and have been flexible, but there are certain times when I cannot and will not answer the phone - I'll have to call you back (times like when I'm at the hospital with my grandmother, when I'm spending time with my children and wife, during Sunday worship service, and when I'm praying - and of course when I'm teaching). Other than that, I can and usually do answer my phone.

What it means is that I know what's truly important in my life, and everything that I do in my life has to take its proper place, even if that means losing business as a realtor...

Because, in the end, I am more than a realtor....

I have to confess, this was inspired by Jennifer Allen's upcoming series on Realtor Moms.

Being that the next major event after Easter is Mother's Day, it reminded me of a gripe that my pastor has been echoing for the last 20 years: On Mother's Day, you can't find a place that isn't jam packed to have dinner. On Father's Day - there are many places to choose from.

I know, I know - there are fathers who are not there, who give all of us a bum rap.

What about those of us, the millions of us who are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing?

  Being a dad is the #1 most important thing that I do. I have been there for all of my children's important firsts - first steps, first words, first teeth, you name it, I've been there. Not only have I been there, but everything that I do outside of the house - from teaching, to real estate, to delivering newspapers at 3 am in the morning, to selling vacuum cleaners, to babysitting - all of it has been for the express purpose of doing what I have to do as a father - to provide for my home, my wife, and my children.

Is it hard? Yes, it sure is! And I am absolutely certain that every dad can attest to the same. So, How do WE do it?

First and foremost, I remind myself everyday that what I do is for my children.

Then I make sure that I take time with them, even in the midst of my busy schedule. And I sacrifice everything for them.

My son got sick - kept having ear infections. I took the day off from my job to bring him to the doctor.  Not his mother, ME!!! I missed faculty meetings and listing appointments and showings to make sure that my son was ok. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! It wouldn't be a second thought.

When my children wake up in the morning, I'm usually gone already. But when I get home, you should see the smile that lights up their faces, especially my little man  - it is absolutely the best feeling in the world.

I am teaching my son what he needs to know - by my example and with my words - how to grow up to become a man, and as he gets older, I can teach him what being a father is really all about.

When I am working from my home office, when it is time for him to be fed or get his milk, I do it. When he needs to be changed, I  do it. When it is time for him to be put to sleep, he is not a momma's boy - oh, no. He comes and gets Me! And what do I do? I turn off the monitor, turn out the lights, and I put my son to sleep.

I recently discovered, from my wife, that my son has an arm on him. Only 1 years and 4 months old, but has an arm on him, and I strongly suspect that he, like his older sister, is left handed. So me, being the anti-sports guy that I am, decided instead of stifling his new-found interest, that I would encourage it. So, when i get home from work, what do I do? I find his toy balls (football, soccer ball, you name it, he's got it) and we toss it around for awhile. If we don't, he'll tell me "ball!" and I go and get it for him.

So how about it, fellas? Let's show the Mom Realtors how WE do it!

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Looking for information about homes in the Greater Waterbury area? Buyers, need to find financing and advice on the home-buying process? Sellers, looking for tips on how to make sure your home sells? Stop by www.williamsplaces.com! Courtesy of William James Walton, Sr., Realtor, Century21 Access America Serving northern New Haven and southeastern Litchfield Counties (Waterbury, Wolcott, Prospect, Naugatuck, Middlebury, Southbury, Watertown and Plymouth)