"You are in real estate. I feel sorry for you these days."
I've lost count of how many times someone has said something along these lines to me in the past few weeks and months.
What with the daily news of the economy, devastating media reports about the real estate market, foreclosures, prices taking nosedives, etc. -- what should people be thinking?
"You must have a lot of time on your hands these days."
"Have you thought about a back-up plan or a part-time job?"
Is the real estate market really that bad? The market presents challenges, for sure, but there are also opportunities. It is not a bad market, but a changed one here in Northern Virginia and D.C.
After my $970,000 settlement on a luxury townhouse in Arlington on November 7th, I've had a new answer to this barrage of questioning for the last 10 days:
"Actually I just closed my biggest sale about a week ago -- almost $1 million."
Jaws drop. Bewilderment ensues. Misperceptions are shattered. Maybe the market really ain't that bad.
Or maybe this guy Brian Block is doing something right.
While other REALTORS spend their last days hanging on in the business complaining about the market around the water cooler waiting for their phone to ring, the strong agents and brokers are surviving, even thriving.
Action and attitude win out every day over media hype and complaining whining.
And while I continue to enjoy the afterglow of a big sale, I'm not bragging about it around a water cooler... I'm too busy this week with 3 new buyers.
Good thing I never got that part-time job...
I still have time for you!
Contact Brian Block, REALTOR/Attorney, RE/MAX Allegiance: Licensed in Virginia & Washington D.C. 
(703) 626-0715. If you are interested in purchasing or selling a property in Northern Virginia including Arlington County, Alexandria City, Annandale, Burke, D.C., Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Lorton, Springfield, Washington D.C., contact Brian today.
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That's because Brian Block is a kick ass agent!!!! Congrats my friend
Yes GuY !! Congrats from Canada still working on kicking my business in overdrive... Lots of people sell now just for very different reasons !!
I have gotten the same comments, but ask my husband, he would say he never sees me. Sometimes I have to ask him to help me with property checks or issues with some of my reo listings. Buyers are GOOD to me and my partner. This is our best year yet!! Gong for the gold while we can!!
While other REALTORS spend their last days hanging on in the business complaining about the market around the water cooler waiting for their phone to ring, the strong agents and brokers are surviving, even thriving. Action and attitude win out every day
Hey Brian,
That's very true. Two thumbs up for attitude and action. Keep on thriving in this changing market.
And CONGRATS on your big sale!
Cordially,
Bruce
Brian- You are right! Congrats on your closing. Here in our area the million plus homes are selling and in a very short amount of time. A lot of people taking their money out of the markets and putting it into their homes. We just got 2 more million dollar plus listings and 3 of our over a million dollar listings have offers on them. We have an appointment tomorrow for a 6.5 million dollar land and home, not sure if we want to take the listing yet. Need to see the property to make sure the pricing is correct.
Brian, ditto. They look at you with sad eyes and then when you tell them things like this, they are shocked. Not what they are reading in the papers. Hey, you should be getting some new influx of people and some moving out, right?
Celebrate! Congratulations on a great deal! We need to keep telling the success stories so that everyone realizes the market is not dead and now is a good to buy a home.
Brian - excellent !!! I love the slogan "attitude and action" WIN !! Treat yourself to something nice!
Brian, you are so right! Keep on truckin' and leave the naysayers behind!
Fantastic Brian! Yes I am also keeping busy. It does seem those that are actually "working" instead of complaining are making a living.
Come on though! Our profession and the state of the market is still worth a free beer from sympathetic souls, I have boughten many a drinks HAHA!!!
There is also room though to remind those that ask that any referal will help me get back on my feet. Real Estate is not dead just slow.
Congrats on your deal. Any closed deal is worth bragging about, so bask in the after glow!
Good for you. I just closed a $1,100,000 sale too.
I'm busy as a Beaver and collecting checks every few days.
Is it easy? No. But, hard work will pay off. I just need more hours in the day.
Big sales that close are always bigger deals that didn't. I have a habit of never even discussing sales until they are closed. So much can happen. Congrats, now start working on the next one!
Woo hoo !!!! Rock on... that is awesome. We get a lot of that crap too about how bad we must be doing... sometimes I am ashamed to say that we are doing better this year than last year. And we had a great year last year !!! I am more worried about 2009 at this point... LOL, but then again I was worried going into 2008 ! Not sure what I am "worried" about.
Is an awesome achievment ! Congrats : )
You go Mr. Block! It's all conversation until it closes; I'm glad you are having this conversation:) Between the vast negativity and the rose-colored perspective, there are still transactions being closed each and every day.
There's nothing to worry about Christopher and Stephanie, you guys are on top of your game :)
We agree with Lenn. This past month was very successful for us. It all varies market to market and how you sell yourself through advertising in print and online. Consistency is the key. I don't think any of our team members have had a day off in almost 2 years now. But that's also why we're surviving while others in our market aren't.
Brian, keep up the good work. You are a classic example of success! :)
I love it. That's awesome. I just got a million dollar listing. I would love to sell it.
BRIAN BLOCK IS DOING SOMETHING RIGHT! Congrats!
PS voted for ya on the recent Virginia best blogs!
Brian- Loved the headline and I too get tired of people looking at me like I'm soon-to-be roadkill! Fact is, most of these folks have less job security right now than I do...or to phrase it better; I don't have the luxury of "job security" which drives me to make sure I accomplish what I need to. You're right, you need the right attitude and you need to be proactive, there are opportunities. Congrats on the 3 new buyers as well. Sounds like a great week!
Well Brian, I'd like to tell you how sick I am of all the whiners but it would sound like whining. Congratulations on your most recent sale and on all the ones we'll both have in the future. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Brian,
Thanks for the upbeat post. I think it's so important to stay away from the negative. Just yesterday someone asked my sister, "How is Barb doing in this market?" and she responded "She's having a great year." which caused her friend to say "Really??????" in utter disbelief.
I have noticed that quite a few homes in the past several weeks have been selling in under 30 days and that's what I have been talking about. We must stay positive!
This is what I want to hear! Positive Attitude. Congratulations on your big sale. Now lets get everyone else thinking positive!
That's great! I'm so glad to hear that your business is thriving. Keep up the good work!
Brian,
Congrats on the sale. I can't complain since I've been pretty busy all year. Maybe not with large sales but the little ones sure add up too. Frankly right now I've got about 7 or 8 transactions that will hopefully close and they are a mix of everything from rentals...approved short sales and even a few listings that are not negative so if anyone thinks there isn't business to get then let them send their leads to me and I'll work them and turn some into cold hard cash baby!
Whoo-hoo! Givin it up to you Brian!
The market is really great here in NW Alabama, too!
Brian,
Thanks for the kick-butt blog! I recently pulled out my copy of "The Secret" and re-read it! It's sooooo easy to slip back into STINKING-THINKING and I HATE IT! Your blog has rejuvenated me! Onward and upward with my positive thinking/action plan!
Much Appreciated,
Kathy Opatka, REALTOR- Ocean City,MD
Brian,
The market is not bad here in Waco Texas either. I haven;t sold a million dollar property, but I have sold. My market is holding steady from this time last year, maybe even up ever so slightly.
Exactly. Great post. I get so sick of it too. My answer is usually something like "Between 700-800 residential properties are selling each month in Lee County". WHAT? I thought the market was dead....Yeah ok.
Congrats on the sale, Brian! And further congrats on defeating Brian Block in the first round of the Blog Brawl. Good luck in the Elite Eight!
Brian -
Attitude IS Everything! Congrats!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
LOVE IT!
Brian, congradulations! Hard work does pay off!
Brian - congratulations! I love the attitude - and the fact that you throw it back out there :-)
Brian, congrats on your closing. You showed 'em.
I agree Brian. If many Realtors would get to work instead of standing around whining they might see some results. When times change you as a professional have to also change.
Attitude can be everything.
Somehow Brian, I am not at all surprised! Real estate transactions happen even in the worst markets and those that are professional simply show up to do the work and close the deal. Congratulations!!!
Way to go.......................great story...........You gotta work with what you got and make the most of it. Do the activities and good things will happen.
Brian! Congratulations! Your biggest sale! WOW! SUper! Good For you! Good going!
Thanks
Don
Great point. Great agents are out doing business deals and not hanging around talking about their bad business. The deals are out there. I amnew to my market after moving here from VA in June 2006 and am doing great thanks to networking, getting out in the community and of course great SEO thru sites like ActiveRain. Another great way to get business is as simple as answering your phone and emails.
Congratulations Brian!! Way to go! I've always loved your winning attitude on AR & enjoyed seeing you at SF Inman in July and rejoiced for your accomplishments. I have 2 closings next week, nearly wrapping up my year at more than double of what I did last year... I thank this AR community for that, too...so much inspiration, education and support... It never stops raining... People like you make us all so proud to be in the RAIN! Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
It really baffles me as to why a lot of people are averse to getting into real estate nowadays. As I've noted in my blog, this is the best time to be in real estate since we're having the BIGGEST fire sale ever on real estate properties.
Congratulations Brian! Great blog ~ we have to have the right attitude and keep moving forward.
You ROCK, Mr. BLOCK! MAN! That'll shut anyone up. GREAT JOB! May it be just the beginning. GBU~
BTW...can I borrow $50? ;-)
That's so great!!! Congrats! :) I can't wait until I close a $1M property! Soon enough :)
Brian Congratulations on your closing!! They say that good agents get busier in the down times and the bad agents get another job!
I love the post and congrats! We have as much in the pipeline as we have had at any given time this year. It's still fear amongst the people - terrified to buy and terrified to call the lender - except the big names who created half this mess to start with! Congradulations Brian.
-Ken Cook
It is all about attitude!!!! I refuse to listen to bad news without correcting them that homes are selling and now is still the best time to buy in your life!
Hey Brian....my hat is off to you...I have three closings and together they won't equal you one sale...so it must be that "Brian" guy is indeed doing something right! Nice post and it is a changed market working to be in it is the key. Nice feature Brian.
Way to go Brian!! I totally agree...Quit talking about how bad the market is & get out there & close some deals!!
Best, Dan
You are a true inspirations!
Debbie
Brian congratulations. It says alot in a changing economy.
Congratulations Brian, It such good news to see some doing so well. It can only give hope to the rest of us.
Great job, Brian! Love your attitude!
Good for you! Just yesterday a Broker from the Mainland walked into my open house and right away was telling me how I got in the market at the wrong time and that I better have a part-time job. I kept my smile and told him that I like to think optimistically and tried to point out the features of the property. Luckily, he received a phone call and had to leave right away. I didn't need his negativity - it doesn't help anyone. I wish you continued success!
Brian, congrats! My favorite sentence was...
While other REALTORS spend their last days hanging on in the business complaining about the market around the water cooler waiting for their phone to ring, the strong agents and brokers are surviving, even thriving. Action and attitude win out every day
You hit the nail on the head. I had a quiet month or two this year... but that's it! In October I closed on 5 homes and this month 3 homes (and counting!). The financing didn't fall through, the buyers were able to get a great deal and the sellers were able to move on to new horizons. A definite win-win for everyone. Hard work and a great attitude is EVERYTHING.
So True, Awesome GOOD NEWS Post... Congrats on the big sale!.
"Action and attitude win out every day over media hype and complaining whining"... Well said.
The sad part is that the water cooler folks complaining, were probably there at the cooler in the other market, it's just now, they can't whine and get their 5 to 10 deals a year, that use to fall in their lap.
So glad to hear the great news! After a very rough year I just closed 4 houses in the last couple of months...Real estate is alive and getting better!!!
nice...it has been a good market. Our area has million dollar sales all the time due to us being in a resort community. There's always someone out there who will need to buy or sell...
I'm going to be out showing my most expensive listings this weekend. I've been getting inquires like crazy over the last 2 weeks for early spring closings.
You go Brian! Just curious as to whether it was commercial property. Commercial development has been on the upswing for several years in my area playing catch up with the increased population. Congratulations on your big sale and "featured" post.
I got a part time job...in our office :)
I also have done okay during the year...and no matter what the price tag... the effort and hard work is what matters.
Rock on!!! Congratulations on the "featured"
When I say I am in real estate people look like they think I'm not eating. Almost like pity but still a little of the hang in there kid attitude.
I just tell them I am working in REO's and that is a very busy market. I remind them I am trying to put families back into the empty homes.
WOW!!! Attitude is everything!!! Thanks for sharing the story & Congratulations!!!
Brian,
I completely agree with you! Attitude is everything, if you are willing to work there is always work to be found.
Congratulations on your sale!
I get this question all the time too. When I tell them I work REOs exclusively and that I'm busier now than I ever have been, they don't have much else to say!
I hear the same thing, Brian. It just shows how people think they know the market based on media reports. By the way - congrats on the sale!
Awesome!, Congrats! thanks for the inspiration and reminder to put our nose to the grindstone - business is not going to just walk in our door and drop money in our laps!
Great news and enjoy!!!
Congratulations, Brian! It IS good that you never got that part-time job. It's all about attitude - and pushing forward to get things done~
Thats wonderful and encouraging news-congrats! Not just other realtors, but even acquaintances gawk at me when I tell them I'm busier now than I've ever been! Bring it on!
Great news! Call every newspaper and tell them to print that newsflash! CONGRATULATIONS!
Congrats on the closing Brian. There is business out to be had by those willing to work for it.
Brian,
Tha'ts awesome news----keep up the good work---we love to hear these stories because they build us back up.
Way to go on your biggest sale and for that winning attitude! What a great post. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked "what were you thinking!" In any kind of market people are going to need us, especially now more then ever.
Congratulations on the big sale. We always like those big ones. I closed a huge one this year too
December will be my biggest "closing" month! I can't believe it. Not only am I closing my largest sell...but I'm closing a couple other properties. I've only been doing this for 11 months...and I didn't think I would have anything .....but wow! I'm working full-time!
Brian,
You go guy. The big ones are always great but the smallest ones help pay the bills too!
Very cool ~ and congratulations! It all comes down to hard work, perserverance and attitude!
Awesome news Brian. My fingers are crossed on a record-breaking sale out here on the West Coast.
I am in the same frame of mind as you. You can make your own reality that is for sure. We are so lucky in our area that we have a pretty good market and probably the lowest unemployment in the country. I let every one complain and just keep on selling houses. Good for you.
Attitude makes the difference. Someone everyday is closing a deal.
Brian,
I couln't agree more. We're up 24% for the year.
This is an exciting time to be in the realestate business.
Michael
Brian, Congratulations! That is wonderful. I bet it was the video that you made last summer, BEGGING and pleading for a sale....did they see that? lol..Way to go!
Congratulations Brian!! It's so refreshing to hear about successes with the doom and gloom of the media.. Have FUN celebrating!!
Brian, congratulations. I would have to agree - business is great, and I try to steer clear of those that just want to bemoan their fate and complain. Nothing you can say to them will make them change their outlook.
Way to go, Brian! Congratulations! But aren't you worried about other agents fining out about this and hitting you for a loan? lol.
Brian, Congratulations! If you see too much news, you'd think our entire industry had sunk. We closed over $2 million in September! It's a state of mind and great attitudes win out every time! (Provided you're willing to put in the hard work and great service, of course, which you obviously are!
Congratulations!
I too had a big sale this past summer and it felt great to give the same answer you did to all who asked, " so is it really bad in real estate right now?" "No", I would reply, "it is actually going well!" -----didn't want to appear cocky!! :)
Let's all hope and pray for more good times to come!
I agree attitude is everything and while I'm not complaining- I am surviving this market...thriving- no but surviving yes. Real estate is local and my biggest sale this year has been $295,000...far cry from your near million dollar sale...but I'll take it.
Attitude is king!!!
never feel sorry for me. I have lived a charmed life and I don't plan to stop now.
A lot of people who are not in our business automatically assumes that the real estate market is bad. A lady who said she found my card asked me if I was interested in earning an additional supplemental income by selling melalucca. I told her that I am not interested. Congratulations on your million dollar sale. Much success to you brian. Great post.
I get a lot of the " I'm sorry " statements also, it has become a big inside joke to my wife and I. We are both in real estate and we are having no troubles.
Congratulations, friend. I could never imagine you complaining, no matter what kind of market:) Incidently, if thing go as planned, my biggest sale will be next week.
Brian,
Yes, the market is down in most areas but there still is activity. Those who keep the marketing focus will get business and that's what it's all about.
Good for you!! I actually just sold a milion dollar property too. We got 4 offers in 3 days. Should close in few weeks.
Brian: Congratulations on your BIG sale. Real Estate is Local and not all areas are doing badly. All areas have business to be had. One must be willing to go after it.. even in a so called bad market.
Brian - Way to go, man! That is terrific to hear. I had my largest sale about three years ago - came from our website! I hope things continue to go well for you in 2009.
Brian, Congratulations! And thanks for a personal kick in my pants as I was heading for a ho-hum week with little focus having gotten knocked in the dirt a bit. Guess I'll be picking myself up now and heading out the door for round two.
This is a great blog! The title caught my eye and I had to read it. And glad I did. Great job and thanks for sharing!
I'm late to this party.
This post made me so sad it brought a tear to my eye...
Congratulations! It's all about positive attitude.
Thanks Brian. Your post was a nice shot in the arm. Actually, I am doing about as much business as I did last year. So that means I have a business model in place that gets about 3 million in business mark. Gotta change that.
Love the energy.
Hi Brian - WAY TO GO!!!
I love these things you wrote:
< Action and attitude win out every day over media hype and complaining whining.
Good thing I never got that part-time job...
I still have time for you! >
And congrats on the new buyers - may you have quick smooth sales with each of them as well.
Ann
ps - good luck in the Blog Brawl, too! ;-)
Congrats Brian! With Thanksgiving just over a week away, I know you are very Thankful. Best wishes for a great 2009.
Thats great news! I'm getting the same thing this year, and I respond the same way...had a 1.7million dollar sale not long ago...people are surprised that this is my best year ever....
Attitude and action is what seems to seperate the 'haves' from the 'have nots' It is sometimes tough to stay positive and look on the bright side, but it's the attitude you project and the actions you take that will keep you successful in any market. Congratulations on your continued success.
Sean Kavanagh
Brian - it amazes me how many agents have fed into the negativity. I look at it as more business for me :) Thanks for your positive post - I wish more agents would take the time to read it instead of sulking!
Tina in Virginia