One of the things I enjoy the most about working as a real estate agent is that I get to meet so many interesting people and I am always learning life lessons from my shared experiences with them.
Often when someone is selling or buying a property they are going through some very significant changes or challenges in their lives at the same time. While sometimes it is a life event to enjoy or celebrate, such as buying a first home, moving in with a partner, starting a family, change in career, retirement, travel, or an unexpected windfall, other times it can be a really tough time that the people concerned are going through.
I’ve worked with many clients who have called on me to help them with a property transaction that has come about due to the breakdown of a relationship, serious illness or incapacitation, loss of a job, death of a loved one or financial hardship, just to give some examples. People in these types of situations are experiencing major events that have lead them to change their path in life, often through no fault of their own. While it can be confronting and uncomfortable listening to these client’s stories, I am often surprised by the resilience many of these people show and how they manage to carry on. I truly admire the grit and courage they demonstrate as I know it must be so difficult for them to see the light at the end of the tunnel in such dark times.
In a world that seems to like to give glory and status to so many talentless ‘celebrities’, I am reminded in my work that the ‘real’ people I deal with who are struggling with adversity and pulling through are the true heroes in this world, yet they go about their lives without any accolades or special treatment.
The interactions I have with my clients are often very grounding and leave me feeling grateful for the opportunities that I have in front of me. I frequently would not have had the chance to meet these individuals if it wasn’t through my work and I feel very privileged to have such insight in to their lives.
I read a quote recently that said “I’m not interested in whether you’ve stood with the great. I’m interested in whether you’ve sat with the broken”. This couple of sentences truly resonate with me as I often find myself being drawn to people who could be described as “the broken”. It certainly goes a long way to explain why my work as a real estate agent is often very humbling and so satisfying.
People often assume that my work in the real estate industry is all about the properties that I appraise, list and sell. For me, it’s actually all about the people that I get to meet and interact with while working with properties, many of whom are a true inspiration to me and I thank for reminding me of what is truly important in life.
By Lee Stonell – Sales Consultant
