Published: April 21, 2008 01:24 pm         

Selling homes

Realtor keeps a varied schedule

For Barb Drye, working in an office with several other people doing the same job sometimes means competition.

A Realtor at McNarny and Wolfe Realtors Inc., Drye said things can get difficult, especially when she is representing one party in the sale and one of her co-workers is representing the other.

“Real estate is interesting because you are competing against one another, but you are also working together to make things work,” she said.

The job is definitely not a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job, Drye said. Her hours fluctuate from one day to the next.

Her day starts as early as 9 a.m. and can last as late as 9 p.m.

The Realtor’s day is filled with several tasks. Every Wednesday morning, she attends a staff meeting. During this meeting each Realtor signs up for what is known as “floor time.” This consists of about a two-hour block of time, when each Realtor answers the phone at the office.

“We all try to share the responsibilities,” she said.

She also writes listings of properties for sale, fills brochure boxes at different locations, picks up keys for various places, takes measurements of homes for sale and puts information together for the Internet.

In addition, Drye shows houses to interested clients and holds open houses for properties she has listed for sale. For each open house, she said, she gathers information from the bank, to let customers know what potential payments might look like. She also gives tours of the house and answers any questions.

To get started in real estate, one must attend a total of 54 hours of school and pass a state test to obtain a license. Every two years, agents must attend 16 more hours of classes.

In addition to this schooling, Drye said, she went back to school and passed an additional test to become a broker.

“As a broker, I can open my own business if I want to,” she said. “Some of the classes are going over the same material, but it’s more in depth.”

Drye does a fair amount of driving in her job.

“I’ve been to Peru, Kokomo, Lake Cicott, Royal Center and Carroll County,” she said. “I’ve sold houses in Flora and Camden.”

Something most people don’t know is that any Realtor can show any piece of property.

“I can show any property no matter who has it listed,” she said.

Drye said the most stressful aspect of her job are the home inspections carried out once a buyer and a seller have agreed on a price. If the inspection turns up a problem, she said, the real estate agents act as negotiators.

“I’d say every Realtor has had their problems with inspections,” Drye said.

Despite some stressful situations, the job has its enjoyable side.

“I enjoy working with people and putting everything together so they are happy with a home,” said Drye.

After almost 14 years in the business, Drye doesn’t regret a minute of her career choice.

“I really enjoy it,” she said.

Denise Forsberg can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.forsberg@pharostribune.com