Another writer told me if I wanted to see my views of a blog really shoot up just put the word SEX anywhere in the title and watch what happens. I suppose that word or XXX in the text would do the same thing so here goes. I'll let you know what happens. But seriously, this is not a tawdry tale of any sort. I just wanted to make an observation about sex and real estate. I mean by that, gender. In residential real estate it used to be dominated by females. Now it is more evenly balanced with about 55% women and 45% men in the field. I think this balance is good for working with clients from all walks of life.
Many of the women came out of teaching, nursing, and various customer service professions. From what I've found out on the men side, their background is very diverse, coming out of management, sales, business owners, etc.
In contrast if you look at "commercial" real estate it is dominated on the male side of things. Maybe warehouses and shopping centers are more fun to men.
Women are better naturally at the nuturing side of life. They assist in answering questions about the kitchens, closets, socializing, and raising families. I don't mean to be stereotypical but most men really do like power tools, garages, and things like barbeques in the backyard. The women have come around though to liking the game rooms with the Plasma TVs.
So there's my little discussion on "Sex." I know it would have been better with a church secretary turned buyers agent who was hitting on all the married men buyer clients as a story, but you'll have to talk to a Realtor driving around in their car to get those juicy tidbits and the real dirt. Suffice it to say, life is interesting with men and women and I know we all think we do come from different planets some days, whether out in the real estate world or back at the ranch. Enjoy the differences, that's why we were made that way!
I guess I will find out if there is truth to that also. I just posted a blog entitled "Xsites"
I'll let you know.
Gary -- It would be interesting to see what the results would be if you subtitled your post "Do you smoke after a closing?"
Happy blogging!
Gary
I loved the picture, so cute!! Thanks
So did you get any Google-juice from your SEX title? LOL
Great way to play on words. And that picture is precious!
Catchy title Gary!
My office is predominately women, and several of these women are single mothers. Interesting!
Hi Gary,
Yep, it worked, your title that is.
I can't help by comment on "I don't mean to be stereotypical but most men really do like power tools, garages",...you know some of us women like those things too.
BTW, one more thing, I recently worked with a couple, they fired their last agent (a 50's something guy) who said something to the effect to the female, "oh you're going to really love this kitchen"...I can tell you she was not happy for one moment, end of story.
Gary...As a subscriber I never even saw the title. Just clicked on you in my list. Up comes that three letter word.
Many women have come into real estate from service professions because that's were women were. Today, fortunately, they are everywhere. In the future we may see a difference in where they come from. That will make an interesting study down the line.
We bought another home in Williamsburg for my daughter, Tamra, and family. Tamra's husband was not with us when we first looked at it. The first thing I said was, "Chris will love this kitchen." And, he does. Four years later he is still preparing great meals for us.
Take care,
Kathleen
I have tried the sex thing in a title at least one but then I checkend out and made it a members only, post? The title was something about ActiveRain was better than sex... when social networking outranked porn on the internet.
Good discussion of sex in real estate.
Gary... in regards to your title.... you actually didn't get me. I had a good 95% feeling that it was based on title to get readership. It's a good test, but title is not always the way to go. Especially if it's irrelevant to your topic within the blog. Meaning... from what I have learned, the 1st four words of your title is what google searches. Unless the consumer puts something close to your title in their search words, it will not usually be found as usually. I wrote about this.... Read this if you want to make millions !!!
In regards to the numbers, women vs men, I agree with Adam... I would have thought it would have been a little higher with women. But I also can see commercial real estate. thanks
Gary
I would read your post anyway. I do get comments from friends and family now and again because of their belief of this being a Female heavy industry. i do think it is good to see numbers that reflect national averages.
Jeff: I can't fool you. The ratio numbers of female to male come from NAR. More men have been coming into the industry over time.
Jill: The numbers move around year to year, but men are definitely out there working on the business with their women counterparts these days.
Joey: Because "historically" the public has known many women agents, I think that perception remains. I do give lots of credit to many excellent women in the business. I've found so many to be professional and right on top of their game. Many amaze me with how helpful they are to other agents (men and women) in building their business. Even here on Active Rain so many women keep giving great advice to EVERYONE!
Pat: You are right that you are moving around so fast I can't keep up. Great tunes there W.W. with Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Celine....marvelous stuff. Thought that title would grab your attention!! ; )