Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate

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Just Curious...Would you QUIT?

Just for fun, If your state had a Lottery Jackpot of $220 Million and your office was pooling money to buy a bunch of tickets would you:

A) Chip in hopes for an early retirement

or

B) Not chip in hopes they win the jackpot and you can take all of their listings when THEY quit?

Just wondering....What would you do?

It was brought to my attention that I left off an option.

C) Chip in, but don't quit if you win-take all of the listings AND reinvest to become some sort of Donald Trump! Without the American Express Commercials!

I originally posted this as a fun Members Only Question but after careful consideration I have decided to post this as a public post.  It's great to see that a majority of the agents purue Real Estate as a passion to help others and would continue at no cost.  Excellent!  Thank you eveyone for inspiring such great ideas!

Comments

I actually know of a group of people who won a BIG lottery in Ohio.  Even the custodian chipped in.  Nearly everyone in the company shared in the winnings.  Last I heard...they're all still working at the same company and enjoying their jobs even more because they really don't need to work.

So, yeah, I'd buy in.  Would I quit?   My favorite Real Estate answer---it depends...

Posted by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Village Real Estate Services, Inc.) almost 5 years ago

Stephanie I would chip in and buy an individual ticket as well but regardless of how much I made...(best case scenario...I win it all) I would never retire...call me craZy with a capital Z but I LOVE this business and while I may not need to represent clients I would become my very own best customer.  There is so much money to be made in RE - so I'd get into picking up properties, doing flips, more investments and a whole lot more and actually all over the country...so fellow AR professionals...you never know when I might come a calling...but I'll still want my referral check - he he he :)

Cheers,
Uzi Husain
Arizona Realtor, serving Goodyear & The Phoenix metropolitan area

Posted by Uzi Husain (Keller Williams Integrity First) almost 5 years ago

That's good!  I agree, it depends...Thanks Marlene

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I don't think I would quit either. Say you win $220 million you will only get $100 million if you get it all now. I don't think it's enough. :)~Thanks Uzi
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Yes, I would stop. I would start a school for the under class to get them a quality education. I would make it work. I would not allow unions and teach religion. It would be free. Every child could take band and have physical education where they can actually get their bodies in shape. Now that is differrent.
Posted by Eric Bouler ( Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La.) almost 5 years ago
Wow Eric, that's great! I hope you win lottery!  I'm impressed. Kudos! Thanks.
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Yes, I would chip in.  I don't think I would quit.  I guess it would depend.
Posted by Ronda Myers-Waters (Willems Realtors, Principal Broker) almost 5 years ago
LOL Stephanie, I would probably just do what I always do....just keep my nose to the grindstone and keep doing what I always do.  If my friends won I would be happy for all of them and let all the new Realtors take the business they leave behind :-)  Have a great weekend.
Posted by George Tallabas - Idaho Real Estate (RE/MAX Advantage) almost 5 years ago
I would walk away in a second for a higher calling. priceless
Posted by Eric Bouler ( Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La.) almost 5 years ago
Hi Ronda, You can tell this place is full of real estate agents...."It Depends" and "I would" :)  Thanks.
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I'll let you know when I win!
Posted by Dena Stevens ~ Putting the 'real' into REALTOR (Century 21 Canon Land & Investment) almost 5 years ago

Hi George! So you choose B! Good Job!

Good Job Eric, Best wishes!

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Ok Dena, I'll be waiting!    
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I'd buy my own ticket and quit if I had won to pursue my passions (which, btw, wouldn't generate any income).
Posted by Ben Kakimoto - Seattle Condo Specialist (Keller Williams Greater Seattle) almost 5 years ago
Thanks Ben!  Good Luck!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago

Konk and Sella Development would then be formed!

Posted by David Doerr (Cache Creek Capital) almost 5 years ago
I would quit what im doing now and hard money lend those funds!!!!! to make more , but probably wouldn't quit doing what i do, well maybe? lol 
Posted by Christopher Maguire (President/CEO Of Vivid Funding.) almost 5 years ago
If I won I'd build a new business otherwise I'd get very bored.  Fun to think about.
Posted by Overland Park Real Estate :: Paul Korodaj (Overland Park Real Estate :: Keller Williams Platinum) almost 5 years ago
There you go David! Ok, Maybe I need to add C) Chip in, but don't quit if you win-take all of the listings AND reinvest to become some sort of Donald Trump! Without the American Express Videos!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago

Hi Christopher, I just added C. Check it out. I can't believe I left that one out.

Hi Paul, You need to look at C also.  Thanks!  

  

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I have a feeling you will get a lot of comments because we all have dreams and are a creative bunch. I really think most would do something that would help others. I stayed in the Woodlands for Katrina and the people and area was great. couldnt stay inside and watch so we walked the malls and drove the area. I had to think about doing real estate somewhere if we had been washed out. 
Posted by Eric Bouler ( Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La.) almost 5 years ago

Great question... Doesn't completely apply to me as a loan officer, however I do have an answer.

I always tell my wife that if we ever hit a big lotto, I am going to work the next day.  I will be driving a much nicer car and wearing nicer suits, but I am going to work...  In addition, I think that all of my support that I have in my office will also be coming to work in nicer cars, in nicer clothes as well!

Good luck with that lotto!

Posted by John Keil (Lend America) almost 5 years ago
Hey Eric, that's why I wrote it. Fun to think about and it made me giggle.  I'm glad you liked it here-times were pretty bad then.  Good Luck!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Thanks John, way to take care of your support!  I admire that.
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
If I were still in my corporate job, I would quit in a heartbeat. But as a Realtor® I wouldn't quit - I enjoy it too much. Money would go to my kids and granddaughters, after I bought a ranch home, a new WEENR mobile, and set aside enough for "old age". Would give some also to the local humane society on behalf of all my past dogs and The Murph. And of course, a share to the Church.
Posted by Elaine Reese, REALTOR® in central Ohio (Real Living HER, Powell Ohio) almost 5 years ago

Always a fun question to consider.

For me, I would continue to work (might be able to play a little more though) and  I would be able to better support some of my favorite charities, like our local REALTOR Foundation (www.realtorfoundation.org).

Check out the Realtor Foundation video.

Happy dreaming!

Posted by Bruce & Justine Bright (Keller Williams Realty) almost 5 years ago
That's Great Elaine! Maybe I should make this public so that people can see we really do care!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Thanks Bruce and Justine. I'll check it out.
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I would make it public. I would buy all my friends new cameras. I would also have a big party for all my past clients, music, crayfish, shrimp, and all the local area talent.
Posted by Eric Bouler ( Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La.) almost 5 years ago
I would buy a ticket and if we won I would still work, I enjoy what I do. Nice post
Posted by Daniel Lowery e-PRO, Broker - Owner (1st Choice Real Estate) almost 5 years ago
Oh that was a comment generator. You had me going there as I was reading the options.
Posted by Don Horn, ABR, CRS, GRI, CNE (Keller Williams Realty) almost 5 years ago

Actually, I would probably go to work after winning big at the lottery. No one would like my attitude. I would be totally impossible.

 

Posted by Don Horn, ABR, CRS, GRI, CNE (Keller Williams Realty) almost 5 years ago

Geez....decisions, decisions. I want to keep the balance I have in my life....Even if I won that lottery I would like to live the same way....just not have bills...haha.

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman, RA, CRS, HAWAII Real Estate & Relocations (Century 21 Liberty Homes) almost 5 years ago
If I won the lottery, I think I would still be somewhat involved in real estate, but I would really like to work on community projects that would have broader positive impact. We could accomplish some amazing things without the worry of day-to-day bills.
Posted by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace) almost 5 years ago
Definitely A.  It would be Golf and Shopping for new shoes every day for me...
Posted by The Venturi Team - Albuquerque Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty Albuquerque) almost 5 years ago

I might continue with real estate but at St. George Island in Florida and Tellico Plains in Tennessee.  Sell winters on the gulf coast and summers in the mountains!

Rita 

Posted by Rita Taylor | Sanford NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina (None) almost 5 years ago
I would not quit working... but I would definitely be able to do things a bit differently AND play more golf (prospecting you know).
Posted by Carol Williams Wenatchee Real Estate (Willinger Real Estate) almost 5 years ago
I wouldn't quit, but I might slow down a bit or take on less clients.
Posted by Lee Pedrazas- REALTOR Austin/ Round Rock, TX (Sellstate Classic Realty) almost 5 years ago
I would chip in, and if I won I would split it with the office. I definitely wouldn't stop working, my job is an addiction. Invest more, make more!
Posted by Justin Kaatz, CMP (ASAP Mortgage) almost 5 years ago

 I would chip in too. 

I would continue doing exactly what I do now but spend more time travelling.  I would take more time off maybe three days of work four days of play...   I think if you don't do anything you'd become incredibly bored.

Posted by Todd & Danielle Millar (Glenn Simon Inc.) almost 5 years ago
The only real estate I'd be interested in after winning would be the patch of sand under my tuchas on a beach somewhere ...
Posted by Jonathan Dalton (Thompson's Realty) almost 5 years ago
Definitely chip in and cross my fingers---I can't stand to miss anything! Humm...maybe take my winnings and set up my own agency, except that the place I work work is so amazing it would be hard to measure up to---and then as farmers say, "I would just keep on farming (doing deals) until it was all gone."!!
Posted by Sandra Williams (Rancon Real Estate) almost 5 years ago

We do chip in in my office, when the jackpot gets to be a little sizeable.  We've won small amounts of money, and then we just buy more tickets with those winnings.  I often think about what I'd do if we ever won a good-sized pot of money.  Another friend of mine and I go in together and buy a few tickets every once in awhile, too. 

Dreaming.............................

Ann

Posted by Portsmouth NH Homes Condos - Ann Cummings New Hampshire REALTOR® (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire) almost 5 years ago

Stephanie...I would (and sometimes do) buy my own ticket and if I won, you could find me in the little French southern town of Villefrancher-sur-Mer from here on.

Regards...Jay

Posted by Jay Burnham - The Coldwell Banker Guy (Coldwell Banker) almost 5 years ago
Stephanie- My wife and I were just discussing this the other day. (PowerBall is up to $81 Million!) Firs, I would Chip In and buy my own tickets as well! Then, if I were to win ... (Oh please oh please!) I wouldn't quit! I love doing what I do. But I can tell you the pressure (stress level) would certainly be less - and my advertising would certainly expand!
Posted by Phillip Cross, ePRO REALTOR® - Relocation Spec (TBD - In transition...) almost 5 years ago

LOL. No. I wouldn't quit. I don't gamble so the question, kind of, does not apply to me.

Really funny questions though :)

TLW...ROAR!

Posted by "The Lovely Wife" (Broker Bryant's Wife) The One And Only TLW. (President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.) almost 5 years ago

Hi Daniel, Glad to hear it's a passion.

Thanks Don- It would make work a little less stressful huh?

Hey Sally, Same here. Heck, we could buy the house FOR our client!

That's Great to hear John! Awesome Positive Attitude!

Hey Tracy-  FORE!

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago

That sounds like a plan Rita- Inspiring!

Good Luck Carol! 

Hi Lee! Sounds like a way to keep a good balance

Great Idea Justin!  Just stay away from those AMEX and VISA commercials!

Todd and Danielle-  Bored I think is the right word!

 

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago

Good One Jonathan!

Great Idea Sandra!

Hi Ann- We do the same thing and haven't won more than $20 or so.  It is a nice dream though!

Oui Oui Jay!  With a bottle of Beaujolais I presume!

Hey Phillip-  That's why I thought about this!  (powerball!) Great Plan!

Thanks TLW!!

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Wouldn't Quit.  I would by some property!!    
Posted by doug almost 5 years ago
Way to go Doug!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Stephanie, What a fun post! How cool it would be to win the lotto! I don't think I could ever quit, but I know I could help some many people with all that money!
Posted by Somerset MA Real Estate ~ Suzanne Sands (Pavao Real Estate) almost 5 years ago
Hey Suzanne, we'll keep dreaming!  I think it would be great to sponsor neighborhood parks for kids and senior housing or something.  The options could be endless!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I can only spend so much time twiddling my thumbs or counting my cash...  But a stack like that would propel my business to a new level...
Posted by Dan Cummings - Connecticut's Running Realtor (Raveis Real Estate) almost 5 years ago
Hi Dan, talk about advertising!  Maybe could buy Google and make sure all of our pages rank as #1!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I would start my own brokerage company the next day. While all that money would probably help me in the ultra luxury market, I think I would specialize in affordable housing.
Posted by Mitchell Hall NYC Real Estate Broker (The Corcoran Group) almost 5 years ago
Way to go Mitchell!  Good attitude!
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Option 4 - Offer to take the money from everyone in the office foolish enough to buy the tickets.  Peronally gurantee that you will cough up the money if in fact any of the predetermined numbers wins.  Pocket the cash, go have a very nice dinner.  With the odds at 1 in 28 million of winning, you can not make a wiser gamble.
Posted by Daniel Gates (Insure Consulting) almost 5 years ago
I wouldn't quit. I would start a program to get the homeless of the streets into a job and home.
Posted by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners) almost 5 years ago

Hey Daniel, I never thought about that.

Great idea Christy! Kudos!

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago

Iwould definitely quit....

Posted by KRISTINE CROWE (COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE) almost 5 years ago
Thanks Kristine
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago

Hi;

I would not quit as I love my job to much, but I would put the money towards getting all of our homeless off the streets.  We are getting so many more here in Canada in the last couple of years.  It's frightening!

Debi Stephenson

Posted by Debi Stephenson (Room2Organize ) almost 5 years ago
Wow, I guess I would have to go with c........I guess it would be interesting to be in that position!!!
Posted by Burbank Real Estate Agent Ana Connell (G & C Properties/John Aaroe Group) almost 5 years ago

Hi Debi-that's a great cause!

Hey Ana, would be nice wouldn't it!

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I would take the money and invest it in my business :)  Quitting is not an option :)
Posted by Renee Burrows - Las Vegas Real Estate - (702-580-1783) www.ShackDiva.com (BrokerThe Force Realty-REALTOR-Estate-Probate-REO-Short Sale) almost 5 years ago

QUIT!  QUIT!  QUIT!

That way, I would have more time to blog here in Active Rain...

 

HA!

Posted by Becky Johnson - Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN (Your Real Estate Specialists Group - Century 21) almost 5 years ago
I have 5 kids ages 1,2,3,5 and 9.  What kind of mother would I be if I chose work over them?  I would have to quit- would probably invest and keep my hands in the market enough that I would return when they grew up.
Posted by Carla Starkie, Colorado Springs (Keller Williams Partners Realty) almost 5 years ago
Absolutely I would quit and spend all my time with non-profits and volunteering.
Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) almost 5 years ago

After a LONNNGGGG vacation, I'd come back and invest a portion of my winnings in making ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. the nation's largest discount/full-service real estate company!  Once that was accomplished, I'd take another LONG Vacation.....

 

As far as pitching in on the pool, the lottery is a tax on people who are poor at math!

 

Bob Mitchell

ValueLIst 

Posted by ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. almost 5 years ago

It  would depend on how much I won.

If I won the whole 220 million I wouldn't even go back and clean out my office. ;-)

 

Posted by Jim Lee, Seacoast Realtor Portsmouth, NH, Jewel of the NH Seacoast (RE/MAX Coast to Coast) almost 5 years ago
Mega-Millions is $96 million.  I might need to make a stop at the corner store for a ticket.
Posted by Ben Kakimoto - Seattle Condo Specialist (Keller Williams Greater Seattle) almost 5 years ago
I thnk I would chip in and start to enjoy retirement if I was lucky enough to win.  Just a thought though I'll probably never be faced with such an important decision.
Posted by Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton (Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC) almost 5 years ago

I wouldn't quit working but I would enjoy the fringe benefits of all that money - I would certainly give a lot of it to needy people and causes. On a lighter note: I once heard David Lee Roth say that money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy a yacht that will sail right up next to it.

He needs help......

Posted by Keith Pate (Coldwell Banker / HPW) almost 5 years ago

LOL Becky! Good idea!

Hi Carla- That's a good reason though.

Good Job Missy! Great Attitude!

Thanks Bob- LONG vacation sounds good!

Good one Jim! Thanks

Go Get 'Em Ben!  Just remember your friends here on AR when you win!

Hi Diane- I know-will it be this lifetime or next? ha!

Good one Keith! I agree. What's the point in having money if you don't help anyone with it. Besides the IRS I mean...

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I think I would just recreate myself into something bigger and better
Posted by David A. Podgursky, PA (Boynton Beach & Lake Worth Florida Real Estate Broker Associ) almost 5 years ago

Thanks David!  You took the Donald Trump route.
Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
Donald Trump route for me.
Posted by ARDELL DellaLoggia (Sound Realty) almost 5 years ago

 I would so do "C" - I already have started to invest and I would just take it to a whole new level.

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) (Knipe Realty) almost 5 years ago

Way to go Ardell!

Thanks Todd! Good Job!

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) almost 5 years ago
I would definitely need to chip in... but I'd continue working.  I love selling homes!
Posted by Pasadena CA Real Estate - Irina Netchaev (John Aaroe Group) over 4 years ago

I would chip in and work not for the need, but for the LOVE of real estate.

Posted by Julio Anchante, CRS (Century 21 M & M and Associates) over 4 years ago
I would like to do "C" but wouldn't for fear of winding up with some crazy hair doo.  I would definately quit, travel the world, help as many people as I could and settle down and concentrate on my art. 
Posted by Robert Cramer (Five Star Property Inspections) over 4 years ago
I would chip in, but I don't think I'd quit. I might not work as hard though, I would pay an assistant a lot of money, so that I could travel at will. I love this job and don't think I could ever just walk away.
Posted by Melissa Sall ~ Belmont County ~ Ohio ~ Realtor (Sulek & Dutton Real Estate) over 4 years ago

Hi Irina, I love it too! The money is just a perk!

Same Here Julio! Thanks.

Robert, Art? Post some pictures for us. Sounds fun!

Hi Melissa, were you surprised to see how many would keep working?  I think it's great so many of us do this because we really care.

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®) over 4 years ago

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