head-on-wall.bmpAfter leaving the corporate rat race five years ago I entered the residential real estate market in the middle of one of the biggest booms in history. Needless to say, it didn’t last. So, you’re asking yourself, what do I do now? Making a living in real estate in a booming market is tough enough without having to live through a recession.

Well, those of us who were scouts (boys or girls) will always remember their motto “Be Prepared”. What a great life lesson. Whether stranded in the woods, on a tropical island or high and dry in the current real estate market, being prepared for the ups and downs in one’s career or elsewhere is great advice. Hind sight is great you say? Fortunately it’s not too late to improve your current predicament.

Most of the long term successful (and not so successful) Realtors I know, including this one, have more than one iron in the fire. Take a look at your skill set. If you’re a Realtor you already have most of what it takes to succeed even though you may not have made a killing in the recent up market. Most realtors possess a great entrepreneurial spirit. They are independent; they thrive on the ups and downs and they want to work for themselves. Take a look at just a few of the real estate related opportunities out there that may allow you to capitalize on some of your particularly strong abilities. The real estate industry has many supporting roles. Would a couple of thousand dollars a month make a difference in your life today? I think it would.

Before You Beat Your Head Against The Wall…

Check out one or more of the following ancillary opportunities out there. One may be right for you:

Assisting a Mega Agent is always a great way to supplement your income while staying firmly immersed in the real estate business. The big producers are always looking for that perfect buyer or seller representative to join their team.

Notary Publics can make a steady supplemental income when they connect with local and national realtors, mortgage brokers, notary signing services and escrow offices. Notaries that can perform loan signings are always in demand. Even in the current market with low interest rates the refinancing market is still reasonably strong.

Front desk support might be a way to help out your office on a part-time basis while allowing you to pick up walk-ins. Even if you donate your time at the reception desk during lunch hour or vacation/sick days, it could produce the lead you’ve been looking for.

Property Management positions could offer enough part-time work while continually exposing you to property owners and their real estate needs. What a great way to develop leads while earning some extra income.

Repair and maintenance may be your forte. If you are handy with your hands and have your own tools, your realtor contacts may be a great source of handyman projects for those so inclined. With minor repairs always a nuisance at a property sale you could be just the right person to ease a sale through escrow for a thankful realtor.

Computer graphics skills are a crucial part of every agent’s marketing program. Are you a computer whiz? Again, selling your skills is easier than you may think. With large real estate offices housing more than one hundred agents each, a simple demonstration of your graphics expertise with a flyer promoting your new business may be all that’s needed to land some cash business producing brochures and other marketing materials for your realtor associates; all in your spare time.

These are just a few of the possibilities out there for you if you want to continue to enjoy that feeling of independence you have as a realtor. There are hundreds more; just open your mind to the possibilities and make it happen.

About PSS

Professional Support Services began as Transportation Management Services in 1993. TMS offers management consulting services for companies in the distribution and transportation business for DOT inspection preparation, Commercial Driver’s License requirements, HM-126F Haz-Mat training requirements, driver productivity improvement, optimized pickup & delivery routing, truck fleet maintenance & cost control, common carrier rate negotiations, driver discipline, standards, guidelines & procedures, freight claims management and DOT private carrier regulations & compliance requirements.

We changed our name to PSS in 2002 and now offer a broader menu that provides services for ALL independent professionals and corporations in employee development and training, strategic workforce planning, systems integration, web site design and search engine optimization, marketing, advertising, sales and more.

Please let us know if we can help you with any of the above. Just call or write PSS at (310) 833-0432 or Info@PSSPROS.com.

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