Many people will tend to look at the success of others by their status, title, label or how financially stable they are. The career choice of an individual just starting out in the work force most likely is an employee who works for a monthly salary or paid by the hour.
During the course of our lives we settle in to a ‘job' (career) that we enjoy...or at the very least one that we make a good living so as to support ourselves and families. We may change paths frequently or we remain on the ladder of success or just a routine to pay the bills.
I'm getting to the story....bear with me.
The CEO of a company most likely makes a lot of money (right?) He/She has worked their way up the ladder and became so successful that they are head of the company and have many others working underneath them; therefore, they most likely have a BIG income.
On the other hand, there are the Independent Contractors who are Small Business Owners. Bob's Pizza's owner is Bob. Bob is well respected in the community for his deep dish pizza with homemade sausage on it. His status is OWNER so he of course he makes a bunch of money. Right?
I changed career paths a few times during the course of my life. I was Administrative Assistant for a Family Law Attorney for many years and did the same for a non-profit program for structured living. I've waitressed in fine dining and volunteered for youth centers.
And then I chose the path of Real Estate.
I remember often the five second conversation I had with a client's 10 year old boy a few years ago. He asked, "You're rich because you sell houses, right?" I politely said, "No, I'm not rich but I do get my bills paid." What else do I say to a young boy who ‘heard' that all real estate agents are rich?
Well, here's a bit of info for all:
- The market is slow, prices are up and down and there aren't as many closed sales as previous years. (I really wish I were "rich" like in those days lol)
I live in Hawaii where cost of living is a bit higher than many other states. (But I go to Costco just like anyone else to ‘get a deal') - Homes for sale or rent are higher than many states. Therefore, my morgage is higher than most too; so I'm not exempt from payments either.
- I have to pay federal, state and Hawaii General Excise Tax every quarter on all money I make. (So contrary to popular believe I am not exempt to taxes)
- I do not get that whole % commission you believe I get..... because both the buyer/seller brokerage get their cut (on top of franchise fees, Errors and Omissions Insurance and so on and so forth...not to mention if it's a short sale and the bank hacks the commission ....or else)
- ALL expenses come out of MY pocket and I do not get a salary or hourly rate to cover ANY of these expenses. (I've had a couple clients flat out tell me that I can stop and buy them lunch because I can deduct it)
- I can't really ‘afford' to hand out money, time and incur a lot of expenses (lunch, gas, gifts) to be your tour guide because you're bored that day. (or so you can get all the info you can to list your house FSBO...Good luck!)
So, in the end what am I left with?
Taking care of my client's needs and respected for a job well done.
I'll remember to tell that 10 year old boy the next time we meet.....
That yes..... I am rich.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I get a little personal with my transactions. For each and every transaction I pay attention to all those details that ensure that the transaction will go as smoothly as possible.
privacy I guess. She introduced herself only by that "she saw my post on 
The home exemption is deducted from the gross value of your property to arrive at a net taxable value on your property. Right now a single home exemption is $80,000 and 65 years and older and the home exemption is $120,000 (your birthday must be on or before June 30 preceding the tax year for exemption claimed.
I'm one of those Real Estate Professionals that loves to have a personal connection with my clients. It's just something that occurs naturally because of a job well done as well as having a personal comfortable connection with clients during the course of one, two, three times a repeat client. It's somewhere during that time that I know we've become far more than business associates. We've become and remained friends.
Kham emailed me from Iraq on Thursday (he has been working in Dubai and Iraq for the past three years to put his wife through college) and asked if I could attend his wife's Graduation at the University of Hawaii as he could not get over here. 
