Working in real estate can be an extremely rewarding career, but it can also be a demanding one. With long hours and quick turn around times it can be hard to find balance. On the third installment of The Working REALTOR® series focused on industry tips for REALTORS®, from REALTORS®—we discuss strategies to create and maintain balance between the different aspects of your life.
To share their strategies for finding balance, we’re joined by Crystal Hung, a 2023 Canadian REALTORS Care® Award nominee and the owner of Icon&co.; Peggy Hill, broker and CEO at the Peggy Hill Team; and Darin Germyn, a REALTOR® and team lead with the Germyn Group, and Director-at-Large with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
Below we’ve highlighted some key moments that stood out in this episode.
Saying no is a learned skill
Hung and Hill agreed it’s important to learn how to say no. Both recounted early in their careers as newer agents it’s really hard to say no to anything, which can lead to poor calendar efficiency and a lack of balance. They described some of the strategies they have implemented to control their calendars, and what they might have done differently back then using the knowledge they’ve since gained. Germyn also shared some great strategies to take control of your calendar proactively, including offering specific times to clients instead of open-ended scheduling.
“…you’re here to sell trust, you’re not here to sell real estate. Trust is everything in real estate.”
Crystal Hung
Work as a team, however big or small
All three guests lead a team of some kind, all in different capacities and sizes. We heard from each of them about what they believe makes a great leader. Hill shares insights from leading a team of more than 50 real estate professionals, transitioning from active selling to overseeing market trends and promoting the team’s brand as a community ambassador.
Germyn defines great leadership as being able to anticipate the needs of others and be the guiding hand that keeps things together. He also reminds us that leadership is not just relevant for team leaders, but all real estate professionals who are leading clients through one of the largest purchases of their life.
Hung’s approach to leadership is all about collaboration. She references her teammates often think of a theatre production when they’re working on a project and how all ‘departments’ need to work together. She drives home the point that even if you’re a team of one, no one can do it alone. Part-time or temporary teams are still important for success.
“Our slogan as a team is real people, real service, real results. I believe when you’re being real, that’s the best part of you.”
Peggy Hill
Making time for a greater impact
To complement our discussion about finding balance, we discussed what types of endeavours finding balance has allowed our guests to explore and grow from. From creative community involvement to the governance side of real estate, there’s many ways to expand your career with a well-balanced workload.
“When it comes to finding balance, I think it’s important for the listener to remember that it’s your business. That means it’s your game to play. You get to decide the rules.”
Darin Germyn
You can listen to this episode and others, wherever you listen to podcasts, or at CREA.ca/podcast.
Starting in January 2024, our episode with Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, REAL TIME will move into video episodes. In this first video episode, we’ll be discussing what goes into choosing it Pantone’s Color of the Year, and some thought-provoking analysis of colour psychology.
