'Rookie' no more: a farewell
Diary of a Real Estate Rookie
By Alison Rogers, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
Alison Rogers, the 'Real Estate Rookie'When I had been a journalist for about 15 years, I got hired to launch a new Saturday section at the New York Post, one that would be entirely about real estate.
With the help of my deputy Andy Wang and a really talented team of people, we created something that was part sports section, part personal finance advice, and part dream-home catalog. The section was new and different, and sales of the Saturday paper shot up. For two years I covered real estate so closely that I lived and breathed it, and that changed my outlook.
I thought of people's life stories in terms of the buildings that they lived in, or could possibly live in. As I put it at the time, "When you have a hammer, everything looks like a house."
Then I just couldn't do it anymore. You try working on the same thing over 100 times and tell me how much passion you have left. Besides, I was pretty jealous of the people I was covering, glamorous super-brokers who wore fancy suits and made millions. I decided that I wanted to quit, and right around that time I had dinner with Brad Inman.
To those of you who read Inman News without having a mental picture of Brad, let me say this: he is courtly and fast and funny all at the same time. If his intentions were ill, you'd have to watch your wallet, but since his intentions are good ... well, I ended up working -- let's see -- six Real Estate Connect conferences and writing a column for him.
The idea was that the column would be called "Diary of a Real Estate Rookie," because a similar column had been written for Inman News once before, and been popular, but the writer had ended up quitting real estate.
The way Brad explained it, I would just have to do the things I was doing in real estate, and tell my stories once a week, and hopefully not quit. ...CONTINUED
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Submitted by Vicki Lloyd on April 7, 2009 - 7:36am.
I've been wondering how long you could continue to write as a "Rookie." I've read and enjoyed your columns from the beginning.
Good luck in your new adventures Alison!
Submitted by Kevin Tomlinson on April 7, 2009 - 12:27pm.
Alison,
Good luck--and go out and buy yourself a really great suit!
Kevin Tomlinson
Miami Beach Real Estate Resource
South Beach Real Estate Blog
About Miami Beach Florida
Submitted by Jay Thompson on April 7, 2009 - 12:35pm.
Good luck Alison!
Jay Thompson
Broker / Owner
Thompson's Realty
Blog: www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com
.
Submitted by Lenore & Alex Wilkas on April 7, 2009 - 12:43pm.
I, for one, will miss your column. You have shown humor even when it wasn't possible to have some. You have told us how the Manhattan real estate community works, so very different than the one I work, but enlightening never the less. It's been fun hearing your ruminations and I hope Brad let's you write occasionally as a seasoned agent. You do bring a great perspective and it is one I will miss.
Congratulation on your graduation from Rookie. It's well deserved!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lenore Wilkas
Prudential CA Fine Homes International
www.SanMateoRealEstateNews.com
Submitted by Bruce Wagg on April 7, 2009 - 12:46pm.
Alison,
Good Luck and thank you for your stories over the years.
Bruce Wagg
Oakland Real Estate | Berkeley Real Estate
Submitted by Catherine Read on April 7, 2009 - 12:55pm.
Alison, your columns have been a joy to read! You give a lot of yourself to what you write and it shows consistently. I have no doubt you will be very successful at whatever you decide to do. You have the right attitude!
Best of luck -
Catherine S. Read
Creative Read, Inc.
Submitted by Mike McCutcheon on April 7, 2009 - 1:01pm.
Aha! IO thought your writing was too good to be from "just a rookie". Like many others, I have actually looked forward to your byline and relished your tales of dealings in the Big Apple.
We had a similar columnist in the S.F. Bay Area, named Adair Lara, who wrote about life for the S.F. Chronicle. Not about Real Estate, but life as a mother. Both of you brought something of interest to your readers. Thanks for the memories and God Speed in your new ventures.
Mike McCutcheon
Coldwell Banker NRT
Walnut Creek, CA
Submitted by Laura Phipps on April 7, 2009 - 1:07pm.
Best of luck to you Allison. You will be missed. I have been selling real estate for over 13 years and still feel like a rookie! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Laura Phipps
Classy Homes
www.ClassyHomes.com
Submitted by Robert A. Hulme on April 7, 2009 - 1:10pm.
Good Luck Alison, I will keep my eye open for future columns.
Robert A. Hulme
Realtor, GRI, e-PRO
Prudential Utah Real Estate
Loan Officer
Mortgage Xpress
www.UtahCountyHomes.ws
www.UtahCountyRealEstate.us
Submitted by Roberta Murphy on April 7, 2009 - 1:16pm.
Alison,
"When you have a hammer, everything looks like a house."
...and with your keyboard, may every memorable encounter become another memorable story.
You'll be missed, but followed, from here.
Very best wishes!
Roberta Murphy
http://www/SanDiegoPreviews.com
http://www.LuxuryHomeDigest.com
877-818-8197/760-402-9101
Submitted by Kristal Kraft on April 7, 2009 - 1:19pm.
Alison,
It's been a pleasure reading about your adventures.
Even an old Realtor like me can learn from your experiences. Thank you!
Kristal Kraft
Selling Denver Real Estate
Submitted by Anonymous on April 7, 2009 - 1:28pm.
Alison, I work at Inman News and part of my job includes sending out and approving daily headlines. It always took a few extra minutes when your column ran because I ALWAYS read it. I'll miss your sense of humor, weekly travails and awesome column. Good luck to you!
Steven Contreras
Submitted by Neil Kearney on April 7, 2009 - 3:09pm.
Alison,
Your column's will be well missed. You brought a great sense of humanity to your writing. It's like a friend is moving away. Best of luck!
Neil Kearney
TheBoulderBlog
Submitted by Bernice Ross on April 7, 2009 - 3:22pm.
Bernice Ross, CEO of www.RealEstateCoach.com, home of this year's number #1 selling book at NAR--Real Estate Dough--Your Recipe for Real Estate Success
Alison--you have been a tremendous gift and inspiration to both the newbies as well as those who are experienced in the business. We will miss your wit, your ability to drill down into the human side of the business, and the wisdom you have shared. Wishing you the best of everything as you begin a new chapter in your life.
Submitted by RK Ruthman on April 7, 2009 - 3:33pm.
Alison,
Your Inman column was as bright as your smile.
I look forward to following your stories.
Best wishes!
Submitted by Leslie Carroll on April 7, 2009 - 3:43pm.
Alison,
It has been a joy reading your column. I always looked forward to your stories and I look forward to following you in the future!
Blessings to you and your family!
Leslie
Submitted by Ron Ares on April 7, 2009 - 7:35pm.
Alison,
We've been 'rookies' about the same amount of time, albeit in vastly different markets with vastly different clients, but I always looked forward to the weekly diary. Your content has been my favorite of the Inman writers.
Best to you!
Ron Ares
MRealty, Portland Oregon
http://www.repdx.com
Submitted by Carin Arrigo-Zimmer on April 7, 2009 - 8:10pm.
Alison~
Thank you for your gift of words and the ability to make one think, pause, or simply laugh. Little did you know how much you've helped this newbie out this past year...It's been a pleasure.
As many here have shared, you will be missed. Here's to new adventures.
Still a "rookie" =)
Carin
Submitted by Michael Daly on April 8, 2009 - 11:19am.
Alli-
You were my first real connection with Inman, I remember meeting you at Inman Connect in NY several years back.
You are a terrific writer, story-teller and have set a great example for many new people (and vets) in the business.
Best to you. You will surely be missed on these pages.
Michael Daly
The Hamptons Real Estate Blog
www.beachamptons.com
631 725 0554
Submitted by Robin Taylor Roth, PhD, CMQ/OE on April 10, 2009 - 2:11pm.
Alison ...
You've done wonderfully well. It has been a treat to ride along with you on your journey through rookiedom to stardom.
I wish you all the best, and look forward to reading great posts from you, in the future.
Thanks for the memories.
... Robin
President
Robin Taylor Roth Enterprises, LLC