Where Did I Go Wrong?

A Real Estate Agent’s (Humorous) Look at Being Expected to

Be On Call 24/7

If you’ve ever wondered whether real estate agents sleep, attend church uninterrupted, or take vacations without their phone glued to their hand - allow me to answer that.

Rarely yes.Often no.

And somewhere along the way, I have to ask myself: where did I go wrong?

Not wrong in choosing real estate - I love this business. I love guiding people through one of the most important financial and emotional decisions of their lives. But wrong in how the expectations of the job quietly shifted… and how I allowed it to happen.

Welcome to the reality of modern real estate, where agents are often assumed to be available 24/7, on demand, with zero notice - and smiling while doing it.

Real Estate Agent Availability: How Did 9–5 Disappear?

Let’s talk about availability expectations in real estate.

Somehow, real estate has evolved into a profession where:

• Late-night texts and calls are considered normal

• Weekend calls are expected

• Vacations are viewed as flexible work-from-anywhere opportunities

• Sundays are fair game - church included

A “quick question” at 9:47 p.m. A call during family dinner. A request while I’m traveling: “I know you’re busy, but this will only take a minute…”

Spoiler alert:It’s never just a minute.

The Famous Last-Minute Showing Request (You Know the One)

Ah yes. The classic.

“Hey! We’re in town this weekend - can you take us around and show us some properties?”

What that usually means isn’t a lack of seriousness or intent. It means plans came together quickly. Travel shifted. A window opened. And suddenly, the expectation is that a full day (or multiple days) of showings can materialize instantly.

And while I genuinely want to be helpful, a great showing day doesn’t just happen. It requires coordination, availability, thoughtful sequencing, and advance notice - especially when multiple clients are involved.

The challenge isn’t the request. It’s the assumption that I have unlimited, unclaimed time sitting on standby.

As if I have:

• No other clients

• No prior commitments

• No calendar

• And nothing better to do than wait for that one call

REALLY?

This is one of the most common, and most misunderstood, expectations placed on real estate agents today. In reality, my calendar is typically booked one to two weeks in advance by clients who do plan ahead (gold stars all around). I genuinely dislike disappointing people, which is why I encourage clients early - and repeatedly - to identify potential showing days and times in advance.

And yet… inevitably… there are those moments when someone arrives in town and then reaches out. Sometimes this happens after we’ve already been working together for months. At that point, it’s not a matter of willingness, it’s a matter of logistics. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t keep entire days blocked off under the heading “Available Just in Case Someone Shows Up.”

Willing? Always. Magically free on demand? Sadly, no.

What often gets overlooked in these situations is that by the time you’re asking to see homes, a significant amount of work has already happened—quietly and entirely upfront. Market education. Strategy conversations. Listing reviews. Community comparisons. Ongoing communication. All of that time and effort happens long before any showing - and long before any guarantee of being paid at all.

Real estate is one of the few professions where months of preparation, planning, and expertise are routinely provided before compensation ever exists. There is no retainer. No hourly invoice. No “thanks for your time if this doesn’t work out.” We are paid only if and when a transaction successfully closes.

So when last-minute requests collide with a full calendar, it isn’t about a lack of commitment. It’s about balancing fairness - to every client, to the work already underway, and to the very real time invested on the front end with no certainty of outcome.

Planning ahead doesn’t just make things easier.It makes great representation possible.

What Other Professions Are Expected to Work Like This?

Let’s compare.

Would you:

• Call your attorney late at night for “just one quick thing”?

• Expect your CPA to meet you on a weekend because you just flew into town?

• Ask your doctor to squeeze you in immediately because your schedule changed?

Of course not.

Yet real estate agents are routinely expected to:

• Be instantly available

• Rearrange schedules without notice

• Work nights, weekends, holidays, and vacations

• Provide expert-level service at a moment’s notice

All while managing multiple clients, contracts, deadlines, negotiations, inspections, appraisals, and market analysis behind the scenes.

The Part Where I Take Responsibility

Here’s the honest part - because this blog wouldn’t be complete without it.

I allow it... way too often!

Not because I don’t value my time - but because I value my clients and the level of service I provide. I care deeply about doing things well. I don’t want anyone to feel unsupported or ignored.

But there’s a difference between being responsive and being perpetually on call.

And sometimes, in real estate, that line gets blurred.

What Buyers and Sellers Don’t See

Real estate is not just opening doors.

It’s:

• Extensive front-end education and strategy

• Market research and data analysis

• Property evaluation and positioning

• Negotiation, problem-solving, and risk management

• Coordinating inspectors, lenders, attorneys, title companies, and contractors

Most of this work happens long before a showing - and often without any guarantee of compensation.

The showing is the visible part.The preparation is the real work. And don't forget we also have responsibilities to be available to facilitate showings at our own listings that come up days, hours and sometimes minutes before the showing time.

Proactive Communication: My Not-So-Secret Strategy

Ironically, I am a huge believer in proactive communication and planning.

I consistently:

• Encourage advance scheduling

• Ask clients to share timelines and availability

• Help plan productive, efficient showing days

• Set expectations early to avoid stress and surprises

Why?

Because planning allows me to:

• Be fully present for each client

• Deliver better insights and advice

• Serve multiple clients at a high level

• And still have a life outside of real estate

This isn’t about being unavailable.It’s about being intentional and professional.

A Gentle Reality Check (Delivered With Humor)

Real estate agents are not:

• Emergency responders

• On-demand tour guides

• Mind readers

• Or sitting around waiting for the phone to ring

We are professionals running businesses that require time, strategy, preparation, and thoughtful execution.

When expectations are reasonable—and communication is respectful - everyone wins.

And yes, sometimes that means planning ahead.

Final Thoughts: From One Real Estate Agent Who Loves Her Job

I truly love what I do. I wouldn’t trade this career for much.

But if your real estate agent gently suggests:

• Scheduling in advance

• Coordinating calendars

• Or having a conversation before the weekend arrives

It’s not because they don’t care.

It’s because they care enough to do the job well.

So… where did I go wrong?

Probably by being too good at accommodating everyone.

And honestly?I wouldn’t change that, just the expectations around it.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in Naples and surrounding areas and you aren’t satisified with average services, you will want to contact Your Naples Real Estate Expert, Renee Hahn, to ensure you get the service, attention and outcomes you deserve.

Renee Hahn, Ranked in the top 0.5% in the Nation

📍Naples, Florida

📞(239) 287-2576

🌐 www.YourNaplesExpert.com

📧 Renee@YourNaplesExpert.com

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