Why Doing HOMEwork is Fun: Part 2 (Disadvantages)

I have been a Realtor for 13 years and have had an office space in all of the companies I have worked within, until now. This last company I have joined will be my last move. I have ownership in the company and feel like I am home where I belong. But the model of this company does not support every agent having an office space in the building. I gave up my corner office to an incoming team and decided to work from home. More and more Realtors are being brought on board at these large companies and being told they need to be a work at home agent. I’m sure that working from home is not for everyone, whether they are new agents or very experienced. Some do not have a home space to use that would be appropriate, can’t afford all the equipment, need more space for a team, or need the education and support of the office environment. It is understood that there are advantages and disadvantages to working from home. But for me, for now, it is wonderful!

Disadvantages

1. Of course there are some drawbacks to working from home too. In order to prove that I can still meet my business plan goals and be just as productive without the office support, I need to be self disciplined and self motivated. That isn’t easy for someone who likes to live life as an adventure and cherishes spontaneity. Sticking to a plan and making those calls even when the birds are calling me to the front porch takes discipline and commitment.

2. The camaraderie and bonds of friendship are harder to develop when not being in the general office often. I am a friendly, sociable person and do enjoy mentoring newer agents. I find the interaction with people on Facebook, email, and the phone takes the edge off my need for office frivolity. Making a point to go to as many meetings, functions, and classes as I can with my fellow office mates has helped keep me connected and reminds them occasionally that I still exist, even though I work at home.

3. Accountability is something that is important for all Realtors no matter where they work from. Being a home working agent can become a completely independent 24 hour a day whirlwind without the opportunity for checks and balances. One of the main areas that needs to be checked is the matter of time blocking. Without strict deadlines, guide lines, and structure, the days disappear without any one but me being aware. In an effort to stay connected to the office, continue to keep up my business calls, work with an assistant and still maintain a comfortable home life for my family, the lines between work and home can get seriously blurred. The calls can get made, but the beds don’t. My clients could be thrilled with me for calling them to work out an issue at 10pm, but my husband isn’t.

4. I need to purchase and maintain all my own office equipment. The business expenses are higher for a work from home Realtor. But then, the equipment doesn’t get used as much as a big office machine either. If my machines break down, I need to run into the office more often. Much of the software and new programs that I use have had to be self-taught through online courses, rather than attending a class taught by a slightly more knowledgeable Realtor.

5. The professionalism that clients today expect and deserve from someone who is a professional can be lacking from a work at home agent. The beautifully decorated office space with the granite topped conference table may be missing from some homes. In an effort to be very professional and not have to worry about keeping my desk top neat at all times, I rarely meet my clients here. We meet with the loan officer in his office or do consulting in a room at the main office. Most of my client consulting, if not done over the phone, is done at the office.

There may be more disadvantages but at the moment I can’t think of any. Its 6:30 in the morning and my first cup of coffee has gotten cold while I have been putting the finishing touch on this Frog (blog For Realtors Only).

Why Doing HOMEwork is Fun: Part 1 (Advantages)

I have been a Realtor for 13 years and have had an office space in all of the companies I have worked within, until now. This last company I have joined will be my last move. I have ownership in the company and feel like I am home where I belong. But the model of this company does not support every agent having an office space in the building. I gave up my corner office to an incoming team and decided to work from home. More and more Realtors are being brought on board at these large companies and being told they need to be a work at home agent. I’m sure that working from home is not for everyone, whether they are new agents or very experienced. Some do not have a home space to use that would be appropriate, can’t afford all the equipment, need more space for a team, or need the education and support of the office environment. It is understood that there are advantages and disadvantages to working from home. But for me, for now, it is wonderful!

Advantages

1. Because this is tax season, I am putting this advantage at the top of the list. There are tax deductions for working from home, especially if you are self-employed! My home office space and equipment can be counted if used as my main office. So what can be deducted? A business portion of real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insurance, painting, repairs and depreciation. Although I don't know if the living room cushy chair could be decucted, but if you would like to know more about the tax benefits for working from home, then click here.

2. A definite advantage is being able to have more useable hours to work. I don't have to spend the time getting dressed (although I still do), driving into the office every day or going out to eat for meals, unless that is part of my scheduled business plan.

3. When my power hour starts at 9 in the morning (calling or emailing prospects or clients), the only traveling I have to do is from the kitchen table to the cushy chair in the living room or down the hall to my office. Using my wireless laptop, I can reply to emails with music playing as loud as I wish. When I need to make a call, all I have to do is hit the mute button. When a call comes in, I can search the MLS, update my status on Facebook and drink a cup of coffee all at the same time.

4. I don't have to brave the elements, take chances on slipping on the ice, or shovel my mile long and mile high driveway to get to my office! Even when the weather is bad I can receive faxes, emails, and still work long hard hours. Hmmm.. now that I think of it, maybe that isn't an advantage... everyone needs a snow day once in a while.

5. I can sit out on the front porch swing and negotiate a deal on beautiful days. Or, if sitting at my desk, I can see a woodpecker in the hanging birdfeeder just outside my office window, or watch the red fox or deer running through the woods while working a price reduction on a listing. I can open the window next to my desk and feel the warm breeze as it becomes a gust of wind. The only papers flying around the room are my own. My assistant enjoys the same views from her desk and uses a new computer just for her, with fax, scanner, copier and printer within arms' distance from her desk.

6. I can be working while the furnace repairman is repairing or be here to receive special deliveries when they are due.

7. When it is time for lunch or a snack, I can walk out to my own kitchen and whip up a sandwich with leftover roast beef and drink fresh water from my own well. No emails from the front desk asking who ate whose lean cuisine!

8. The cost of mileage and wear and tear on my car is a lot less when I am not driving into the office every day.

9. Incoming faxes and phone calls are much more private at home. Sometimes, the voices in an office can be loud :).

10. Important calls are never missed, regardless of the condition of my house or what I'm wearing.


Of course, not everyone has a home like mine, with the appropriate atmosphere for a professional office. There are definitely disadvantages to working at home, and those will be covered in Part 2.