Inman

Rookie fans reader flames

Re: ‘Rookie Realtor spouse speaks out‘ (May 10)

Dear Editor:

How long are you going to keep this farce of Gomer Pyle/Forrest Gump caricature “Rookie” alive? You’ve milked it for all it is worth. Bury it!

John Alexander

Dear Editor:

And your point is?

Frustration aside, it seems that either the sales manager or broker at the spouse’s office has not been approached so that this Rookie could be guided (I have not had the time to read all the rookies letters, if that has been done, sorry), or this endeavor is just not the rookie’s cup of tea.

Time for everyone to move on.

Renée Page
RE/MAX of Santa Clarita
California

Dear Editor:

I believe the Rookie Realtor does not exist. This is a contrived column/feature to drive more traffic to the site. I cannot believe that someone can be as frustrating, inept, absent of common sense and the like, and be part of the same national organization that I belong. Now a pretend wife is involved. I’d like to hear from his parents, children, and his broker, too. What about the girl he first had relations? What kind of insight can she provide us?

Tim Kuptz
RE/MAX Advantage
Las Vegas & Henderson, Nev.

Dear Editor:

Rookie and spouse need to do some joint soul searching and prioritize their family values; what’s more important, “playing Realtor” and hoping to build a career, or attending your children’s functions. No one but the two of you can make that decision.

On a side note, it would seem that after one year in the business something, one tiny deal, would have to fall in Rookie Realtor’s lap. Perhaps, Rookie Realtor really isn’t cut out for sales…perhaps journalism is a better career for Rookie since the column is so popular.

Nancy Ice
Stewart.com

Dear Editor:

Keep up the good effort Rookie. It’s a person like your spouse who has been told “no” her whole life that causes her to not believe in the spirit of ownership, self worth.

Don’t allow your performance to underestimate in value because of the dollar bill. If the spouse were any type of support she would have known that it takes most business owners somewhere near 15 to 24 months to get a footing established. If she is giving up on you after one year then it is my own personal and professional opinion that even if you did sell a couple of places she would not be happy. Women who don’t hold jobs see the real estate field as glamorous and exciting, except when they are on the other end of the formula and their husband now has to take a shot at something new.

Having a 9-to-5 comfort-zone job is what your living mate wants for you so that she will be comfortable. Trust me, first it’s the amount of transaction you are not doing; then it will be the amount of the commission that you provide to support the home; then comes the insurance questions. Well if you are a family formed by god, then her job and insurance should be what she should focus on and not you unless you are just not getting the sales business and I would say that one year is not it.

And anyone who thinks that just because the real estate market is supposed to be hot then they should take a look at the numbers. The average worker in southern California makes anywhere between $15K and $50K a year. The average median home price in California rests somewhere between $365K and $425K–at these prices those who have them cannot afford to sell and move and those who don’t do want to commute from where they can afford it to where they work. Unless you live in a rural area where developments are planned, the real estate industry is not booming for every community. Rookie Realtor, stay strong…Keep your dreams alive by all means even if you have to take a part-time comfort-zone job just to shut the ball and chain up for a few breaths.

Raymond J. Plummer
The Boeing Co.

Got tips, ideas or advice for the Rookie Realtor? Send them to Rookie@inman.com.