I’m not Donald Trump… and you probably aren’t either, but you might share something in common.

Back way before I started in real estate I was in the commercial photography business.   I was a photographer as well as a professional photo assistant.  I loved the work.  I had a pretty good client base for the assistant business, and was reasonably busy.  I also learned a LOT of things.

One of the things I learned that carried me well through that business, as well as during my time with Wolf Camera (I went from clerk to store manager to big mall store manager in about three years).   The little tidbit I learned was this:

I didn’t have to be fired.  They could just not call me back in.

I was a contractor.  I wasn’t an employee as a photographer or assistant.  To get rid of me, there were no forms that needed to be filled out.  There were no burdens of proof.  I didn’t need three warnings.  All my clients had to do was not hire me to work the next day.  They didn’t even need a reason.  At the end of the day, or the end of the shoot… I was not working for them any more, so they could just not hire me for the next job.

I would love to say that I always got the call back… but I didn’t.  Sometimes I was glad…  But, I did have some great people that I worked with, and they called me back time after time.  I added value to their business, and represented them well.

So, what does this have to do with the here and now?

It isn’t quite as easy as it was… but if you hire me to represent you in either the sale or purchase of a house, you can fire me.  I am confident in my abilities, and I don’t have a problem having an “out” in the contract that lets you fire me if I am not doing the job to your satisfaction.  Many agents believe that a six month listing contract or a six month buyer’s agency agreement means that they own the client for that time period.  While I don’t think any go into the deal thinking that they will just blow off their client later, it happens.

It won’t happen with me.  Or, you can fire me.

I don’t think you will…

Who is this guy?

Lane Bailey is an Atlanta area REALTOR®, auto enthusiast, 4x4 builder and former sports car racer. He specializes in properties for other enthusiasts. Lane is also a husband and father. Lastly, he is a guy that enjoys tools, technology and working with his hands.

In April of 2004, Lane had a life changing experience. It was a boy. Prior to that, Lane had begun to prepare. Part of that preparation involved getting a real estate license. "I wanted to have more control over my schedule than my previous career allowed, " said Lane. "Photography and the photography business had been very good to me. I was able to make a living doing something I really enjoyed. First, in retail photofinishing, then as an Assistant Photographer, and later as a Commercial Photographer, and finally in management, I was able to work in a career path that I really loved. But, it was a lot of hard work. Vacations were tough to schedule, days could be very long, and the schedule was more in control of me than I was of it." While he sees the work of being a REALTOR® and real estate agent as challenging, and it isn’t quick or easy, it does allow a bit more flexibility in scheduling. Lane wanted to be able to go to the park on a Tuesday afternoon with his son, or visit the Georgia Aquarium with his family when it was easy for them to go. He knew that was a change he wanted to make. "Having lunch with my son is a joy (ok, it can be a challenge, too… he’s still only three), and I am glad to have the opportunity to enjoy those special times. Luckily, they aren’t a rare treat. Of course, there is a trade off. You might get an email from me at 1:00am, or catch me on Yahoo IM at odd hours, but it is worth it."

Being one that has been able to enjoy his work for most of his life, Lane wasn’t ready to let go of the things he enjoyed. "I knew that there were people like me, Car People, that didn’t have someone that understood their needs when it was time to buy a home. There are Golf Specialists, Horse Specialists, and Garden Specialists, why not a Garage Specialist? Have you ever asked the average real estate agent if there were 220V outlets in the garage? Did they even know what you were talking about, much less why you might want a couple of them?" Lane once tried to explain to a real estate agent (before he was in the business) that the garage was more than just a place to park a car... without much success. As an enthusiast, he doesn't have trouble understanding how people use their garages, whether for building or restoring vehicles, maintenance, or display. "I know how other enthusiasts will see a garage, as well as what we want to find when looking at a new garage (with a house attached)," says Lane. "I also understand why a 3-car, 4-car, 5-car or 6-car garage might not be enough. And why you still might want some place else to park the lawnmower!" If you have been bitten by the same type of bug that Lane has, he may be the best person to call to help you find a home for the family AND the toys.

If you are interested in Real Estate investment, Lane is a great resource. As an entrepreneur, and investor, he understands the language and priorities of investing in property. Whether you are looking for properties to flip or hold as rental assets, he can find the properties that meet your criteria.

Lane is a member of the DeKalb Association of REALTORS®, Georgia Association of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®. He is also a member of the Century 21 Network Realty group in Tucker, GA. He is also the Chairman of the REALTOR® Political Action Committee, and President of his 4 wheel drive club. He recently ran a committee that staged a blood drive with the off-road community.