If you are like most of the real estate professionals I know…2008 has probably been the most difficult year of your career. Top-producing REALTORS® and loan officers…who easily earned six figures a few years ago…are struggling to keep food on their tables. Many are even losing their homes to foreclosure.
In August of this year, I personally felt the biggest impact that I’ve experienced thus far. Like the eerie calm before a violent storm…everything just stopped. There were no phone calls and no showings on my listings. Business wasn’t slow…it was dead!
Being the eternal optimist…I took a deep breath, said a prayer and switched into hyper-rainmaker mode…but not even a cloud appeared. I did everything that has always worked before, but the phone did not ring. September came then went…and the drought continued. There were days when there would be a few drops of rain…a few new leads that seemed promising…but they went away as fast as they came. By the first week of October, I was beginning to wonder if the drought would ever end. I was doing everything I know how to do, but nothing was working.
Finally, on October 14th, I faced the reality that I can do ALL the right things…
ALL the things that have ALWAYS worked…but ultimately…I am powerless to change the situation. I have a favorite quote, “In acceptance lieth peace.” After months of struggling and fighting, I accepted the truth and found my peace.
This is NOT the end of the story!!
The BEST is yet to come!
This past Monday morning, I awoke extra early…with a strong sense of anticipation. With still sleepy eyes, I opened my email and immediately saw a name I had not seen in several years. His email read:
“Ms. Nieves, I spoke with you several years ago about buying a home. I was not ready then, but I am serious now. Where do we start?”
While I was responding to his email, I received another email from a group who is interested in a commercial property I have listed. I had shown them properties in February of 2008, but they had decided to wait. Now…they are seriously considering purchasing my listing. Within the hour, I received yet another email from a past client…indicating that he was ready to move forward with the purchase of a new home. Before 10:00 am, I had three serious leads…all people with whom I had connected sometime in the past.
On Wednesday, I received a phone call from an agent…indicating that she was going to fax an offer for one of my listings. Later that afternoon, I opened my email and found not ONE…but TWO offers…on the same listing. We are now under contract to close on November 20th! (There is much more to this story that I will share in a ‘members only’ post at another time.)
Thursday morning, I received a phone call from a friend and client who had been under contract to close in July of 2008. We were forced to terminate the contract because his funding (through a special program for first-time home buyers) was not available in time. When he called me, he indicated that he had been notified that his funding was approved and available. We are now renegotiating the contract for the same home he was under contract to buy previously. If our offer is accepted (which looks promising), we will close within three weeks.
First thing Friday morning, I received a call from a previous client who purchased a large home in 2005. He is ready to sell that home and buy another one. I will meet with him next week to officially place his home on the market. It is a beautiful home in a lovely area. I expect it to sell quickly.
You may be saying to yourself, “MAN…Elizabeth Nieves was really lucky this week!”
Well, my friend, luck had nothing to do with it!
Let me ask you a simple question…
If a farmer prepares, plows and plants good seed in his field…then gives his field just the right amount of water…is it luck when his field is overflowing with a bountiful crop?
Of course not! His crop is the result of his investment of time, energy and care.
In the same manner, the emails and phone calls this week...from my previous clients...were the result of planting good seeds (respect, attentiveness, responsiveness, integrity, excellent service, professionalism, etc.) and investing time and energy to care for those seeds. I am reaping the harvest of seeds that have been growing in fertile soil…seeds that have now fully matured and are producing a plentiful crop.
Have you ever noticed that the Bible is filled with truth that is applicable to every situation…even real estate?
Galations 6: 7-10
A man (REALTOR®) reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
You NEVER know how many apples there are in a seed…until you PLANT it and WAIT for it to grow!
Written and Posted by:
Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)
Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale
Elizabeth, I'm glad to hear that your sowing is starting to reap. We have been so slow since the hurricane but I've still been busy doing stuff. Hopefully that sowing will start reaping again here soon. If not I've had a decent year so far and I know when the time is right the Lord will provide. I always consider him my CEO.
Congratulations...You deserve it. Things will only get better and better. The market it turning around now for many who have hung around and worked hard to stay in!
First of all, love the pictures and love the scripture! Second, I am so glad for you. And I believe that you deserve every lead and every deal and every closing. Your faithfulness is paying off. You are blessed. I am still waiting for direction. ;-)
Elizabeth - congratulations to you on such a promising come-back! I too believe that we have to concentrate on our activity and the results will come. Like the movie "The Field" . . . build it and th will come!
Elizabeth ~ Thanks for sharing your story. You're absolutely right - luck has absolutely nothing to do with it. It's God looking out for us, as well as the hard work that goes into making this business work.
Good for you, Elizabeth! I, too, am fortunate enough to find myself with a bit of business after an extremely long (whew!) dry spell. Feel really good, huh?
Best wishes for successful closings!
Debi
Elizabeth, this is so true! Over the years, I've found that doing all the things we're supposed to do DOES pay off - not always on my schedule, but eventually. Sometimes that's all you can do. Back to basics, is the best advice for a market like this.
Elizabeth - this is sooo true! It's a fail proof principle. We just need to remember to sow the good seeds!
I'm so very happy for you Elizabeth. I know God will take care of you as you do so much to take care of others.
Elizabeth, thanks for the important reminder! Even when things seem quiet we need to forge ahead. Somewhere I read about the bamboo plant--it takes a long time to shoot out of the earth's surface but once it appears it grows quickly. The trick is to know it is planted and trust that it will emerge. Cheers, Harley
OK OK...I get the point. I'll get those newsletters and postcards out tomorrow! :0)
So glad for your good fortune!
Wow Elizabeth!
I could feel your pain in the first few paragraphs because the market around here is tough too. Amazing stuff that has happened to you this week. Good for you. GBU!
Elizabeth,
You are just lucky!
The harder you work, the luckier you get.
The more people you meet, the luckier you get.
The more risk you take, the luckier you get.
You are making your luck and I hope it continues for a lifetime.
Hi Sis - As Marchel mentioned above, I have always considered God to be in charge of my business, along with everything else in my life. This is a spectacular post, as always!
Hi Elizabeth - way to go!! And you are reaping the rewards from the seeds you patiently have been planting. You're so right, luck has nothing to do with it, despite so many saying how lucky you are. What we do today is a direct result of what we did 60-90 days ago or more..... I learned that in some seminar years ago, and it is so true.
We all make our own luck, whether we realize it or not.
Ann
I am glad to see that your farming is once again paying off. Thank you for sharing!
I like to think of my business as planting seeds. Sometimes the plants take a bit to grow, others blossom up quickly. You do reap what you sow Elizabeth, that I firmly believe.
Beautiful uplifting post and congratulations on all the new business!
This business is very unpredictable...some days are really good and some are really bad...it also drives your emotions crazy...not much we can do but hope for the best and work as hard as we can while enjoying a bit of free time too to keep us sane.
Elizabeth thank you for the reminder of this evident truth. You are an inspiration.
Elizabeth -- what a great inspiration story. It does take effort and planning. It is important to accept, but acceptance doesn't mean doing nothing as you point out. It takes planning, planting, watering, nuturing and sowing. Congratulations!
Hi Elizabeth - I am so happy for you....and you are right. Continue to be faithful and wonderful things will happen.
Elizabeth, my sister, Praise God, Praise God, after all your sowing, it is God who gives the increase! What a glorious testimony to our Saviour! God bless,
Hi Elizabeth, I do know that things planted will grow... I just hope they grow in my critical time frame!! Enjoyed reading your positive post.
Elizabeth- people used to think that my partner Craig and I were just "lucky" at first. But we were in the office every day, doing something, - sowing our seeds, even if we didn't have any clients at the time.
We're still sowing our seeds, and things will happen.
As I say the harder we work, the "luckier" we get!
Elizabeth, what a great principle, and so well presented in your story. Lends a good thought as we all go 'farming' for business today. It's amazing how the time-worn and simple principles work so well, isn't it? You done good - again!
It is amazing how things can change on a dime. It is those that remain postive that get rewarded. No surprise that things have turned around for you Elizabeth:)
Hi there Eliz - I knew you were slammed this week, because I saw 3 days go by with no post. Congrats on your living faith, business acumen and great gardening and farming skill. What is the old expression, plant it and they will come??
List and Sell (starts with big belief and many small actions) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder
Elizabeth, You are inspiration to everyone. Your post always catch my eye for some reason and I just figured why. The inspirational messages you send start subtle and by the time I'm finished I feel like I've been to church and got back already. Thank you more than you know.
Hey SIS! WOW! Congrats first on that little gold star! What a week you've had and I am so happy for you--it is much deserved as you certainly have sown well. I too, believe in prayer and KNOW that it works--and not selfish prayer but, if you're like me, your income is used for your family and I pray that their needs are met. Good things DO happen to those who sow to please the Spirit AND to those who pray. GBU!
Elizabeth,
AWESOME JOB!
You are so right on about "tending to your garden"....it comes back 10 fold!
Hi Elizabeth-Great post and pics and Congrats on the new business . It is so true about reaping and sowing. There an acronym for "luck' I heard a long time again which is this
L-Laboring
U-Under
C-Correct
K-Knowledge
It sounds like that is what happened and the new business is the result of that. Way to go!
Wow Elizabeth you are truly an amazing writer and adding you to my list. Congratulations to you for your hard work and efforts that are finaly coming to fruitation.
Elizabeth, excellent post! Very uplifting and positive! It is funny how today I was having a conversation on the same subject ~ All about planting seeds and waiting for results! Love the presentation and photographs:)
Praise God, you are so right, sowing and reaping works in every aspect of life.
FABULOUS!!!!! Sow and reap - God told us this is the way. Sometimes I wonder why we fight it.
Thank you for writing that article! It gives me hope! Excellent and SO RIGHT!
Elizabeth, what a beautiful post. I loved the message and the pictures. I agree with you that it's not about luck. Luck is suggesting happenstance that God is not in control and ordering your steps.
What wonderful news - I am so happy that things have turned around for you. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. I love the peace quote - I think I will make a copy and put in within my 16 yr old's sight.
Thank you Elizabeth excellent post. I whole heartedly believe you reap what you sow. I of course must look at the immediate future to keep planning on paying bills but, I also am constantly working on next year and the year after that to keep sowing those seeds, and keep the pipeline full.
The lucky ones tend to work hard and have a longer time horizon than most. Glad to hear a success story. People are going to be tested so keep doing what you think works..
Having gone thru Katrina in New Orleans and its aftermath. Things are in better perspective as to the important things that need to be done. Do not wait for the government to help you, they will be there once its over.
Elizabeth,
Can't agree more....love the post!
Elizabeth...Excellent post. just keep on plugging away and eventually it will pay off. I'm so happy for you!
Yea You!! Yea God, too!!
I have found that if I put forth the effort, God will bring me business. It may not come from where I am expecting it...but it comes!! This is my first year in real estate, so I hear things are tough...but I LOVE it...and can't wait until I have some referral business!
THank you for your positive post Elizabeth!!
Great, awesome and stellar post. You are such an inspiration....
Elizabeth - Everytime I think you've reached the top of the moutain with such inspirational posts, you go one step beyond. CONGRATULATIONS on that little shiny gold star! We sure must have been feeling the same energy yesterday...I wrote a post that's relative to yous about nurturing those seeds over time before you can reap the rewards. What happened to you this past week was not from luck but from the seeds you planted and on your positive focus on desiring what you wanted to create in your life and it coming back to you as it did this week. GBU!!
Hey Sis, another gem form your pen. I love the Song In His Time, "He makes all things beautiful in His time." This is a tough business to be in without patience, perserverance & faith & leanig on the father who owns cattle on a Thousand Hills. You know I had some health issues this year, but He has still provided!
LOVE, G
Elizabeth, I am absolutely thrilled to hear your successes but not at ALL surprised. Everything we do and every thought and action we take comes back to us---so I always try to put out ONLY the BEST -- which is what you always do! GBU with many more fabulous weeks, months, years of success!
So glad that some things are turning around for you. Keep on keeping on. All the best.
Elizabeth,
You go girl. I am glad that your hard work is paying off for you.
you know - you hit me with something here - everytime I think - OK time to give up - start looking for a "real job" one that takes less work - God sends me more real estate work - guess my lesson is - shut up quit whining and stay busy
This is a very true post... Great job... keep planting and great things will come
I agree! Thank you, Elizabeth, for putting into words.
Hello Elizabeth,
What an uplifting story! Stay POSITIVE!
All the Best,
Caren
Good Morning Elizabeth, Thank you for a wonderful, timely blog. Congratulations on so many seeds coming to fruition at once! I read your blog because I'm where you were just a couple of weeks ago. I continue to work as hard and smart as I can and I too believe in a loving God. I have always been a very positive, optimistic person, but have been really tested this year. You give me hope and encouragement. Thank you so much and God bless you. If you ever get down to the Crystal Coast, call me, we'll grab a cup of coffee.
Elizabeth--Thank you for the encouraging words! While reading your blog, I felt like you were writing my story! God is so good, and I truly believe in sowing and reaping. I have been sowing for some time now, and am finally beginning to reap--it's awesome!
Hi Liz,
Jesus told the parable about the seeds that were sown in fertile soil. When business was dead, you did not continue to sow seeds among the rocks, you switched to sowing seeds in fertile soil (active rain). You are now reaping what you have sown. No you are not lucky. You are blessed and highly favored. I say Hallelujah. You already had enough faith to know that things were going to turn around for you in God's time. Congratulations.
GBU and have a great day
Leander
Elizabeth,
It's always a nice pick-me-up to hear good stories or motivational guides, and your post strikes that note right on key!
Thanks for making my day a little brighter... Now if I can only pay it forward.
Sean
Elizabeth, Congrats on the FEATURE it is well deserved. Keep up the good work!
Well, well, well...........
An ActiveRain© feature....AND featured in,"Christianity and Real Estate"
I KNEW this would happen, but was waiting for WHEN......
Looks like the practical knowledge of our Creators guidance and way of life
IS worth looking at.... I am a happy camper!!!
Just as you said...(and is mentioned in the Bible)... just keep on building,
planting and doing what is right.... and what you are looking for will come to pass...
We reap what we sow.......
AWESOME post, Elizabeth...KEEP them coming!!
I was happy to see that this one got featured! Congrats, my friend!
Elizabeth - I too have been in those drought conditions. I relate to the few drops that appear and then dry up but I am feeling the rain coming, I have sown and watered now God is about to give the increase. Thanks for this uplifting and encouraging post. To God be the glory for His faithfulness to His Word and His promises.
XXXXXXXCELNT POST! I have had the best year in my history of being in real estate this year and it is because of never stopping. I just entered my 4th year in the business and have veteran agents from 20+ years asking me how I am doing it and my response is exactly what you posted here! Most of the deals that I have closing right now are from relationships that were created months ago!
Elizabeth- Thank you for sharing your testimony. Today is my first time ever visiting this website and your story is the first one I came too. It's good to find a place where my peers are faced with the same challenges that I am from day today. But know that with God All Things Are Possible. Your story was an on time message today that God had me read at the appointed time. It realllly lifted my spirits. May God continue to Bless You, Your family, and Your business. Love your sister in real estate Teshia..
Very nicely written and you are absolutely correct. W ereap what we sow. Those that sit back and wait for things to happen will stil lbe waiting. I am glad to see good things coming your way.
Good words and ideas to remind all of us that God works in his own time, not ours. I, too, have been in a dry period. I do have a closing scheduled for next week, so maybe this is the opening I have been looking for.
In the same manner, the emails and phone calls this week...from my previous clients...were the result of planting good seeds (respect, attentiveness, responsiveness, integrity, excellent service, professionalism, etc.) and investing time and energy to care for those seeds.
Hi Elizabeth,
What an outstanding example of the right way to build your business! You've proven, yet again, that treating people right does pay off in the long run. I would like to send your story to all my clients for inspiration. Is that okay with you?
Respectfully,
Bruce
WOW Everyone!! This is great! I had a busy weekend and came back to this wonderful response. I cannot thank ALL of you enough for your support and encouragement. You are so kind! God bless you all for your love and faithfulness!
I truly wish I had enough time to reply to each one of your comments individually. JUST KNOW that I have read each and every one...that each one has been a blessing to me. GBU!!!
NOT YET LICENSED: Of course you can forward it to your clients. Thank you for asking!! GBU!
Elizabeth ... This was an AWESOME well timed post .. I got emotional reading it. Thanks girl! pippa
Elizabeth.. This is a wonderful story, and VERY true. Congratulations on a job well done. May your garden continue to nurish you. Thanks for the hope, that a job well done, is by doing it right. That not everything is instant gratification... but will pay off in the long run.
Have a great day.
Elizabeth, thanks for reminding us all what determination, focus and the right mindset can do for both our professional and regular lives:)
So many times people try to apply for God's job but you didn't. You trusted, you were consistent, you believed and your persevered the storm my friend. Congrats on being featured!
Beth - I am so happy to hear things are going so well for you. You deserve it....I know you work very hard. This is a true testament to your faith that the light would come. GBU!!
Elizabeth, what a great story of seeing the results in a bountiful harvest of earlier planted seeds. Tremendous testimony!!
I am so grateful that God is faithful even when we are faithless. This post really is powerful and speaks to me right where I am...LITERALLY.
Elizabeth,
What a wonderful post to read first thing in the morning! Thanks!
The great people in the world make there on luck. The ones that persevere and work hard deserve a little luck as well. Thanks for sharing.
Chris
the truth shall set you free....................
Es tan corto el amor, y tan largo el olvido.
jmac
E;Elizabeth, what can I add that already hasn't been said. I am bookmarking this. Keeping sowing the good seed and reaping your eternal rewards.
BeBlessed my sister.
John