06/07/2026
People:
“So what exactly does a real estate agent do?”
Me:
Well, sometimes I convince a homeowner to spend an entire weekend cleaning their house for people they have never met and probably won’t ever meet.
Then I bring complete strangers into that house.
Those strangers proceed to open closets, inspect cabinets, stare at the furnace, peek in the attic, flush toilets, judge the basement, and determine whether your home is worth $300,000 or if they should offer $250,000 because they don’t like the wallpaper in the half bath.
Then they leave and say things like:
“I loved the house, but the mailbox felt too close to the road.”
“The kitchen was perfect, but I got a weird vibe from the tree in the backyard.”
“The house checked every box, but I don’t think my cat would like the neighborhood.”
Once we find the perfect stranger who actually decides they love the house enough to spend a lot of money on it, we all get pretty happy!
A week or so later, another stranger shows up and tells us all what’s wrong with the house.
Then another stranger shows up and tells us what the house is REALLY worth.
Meanwhile, the attorneys start emailing each other in a language nobody understands but it’s a win, because we are in the communication chain.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, I answer 396 text messages, 76 emails, 121 phone calls, explain the same thing six different ways, find paperwork from 1987, track down a septic tank nobody knew existed, and try to figure out why the tax records say one thing, the survey says another, and the seller swears it’s something else entirely.
I spend a surprising amount of time discussing mold, wells, septic systems, squirrels, bats, property lines, water heaters, missing permits, mysterious pipes, abandoned oil tanks, and why nobody should panic until we know if there’s actually something to panic about.
I juggle buyers, sellers, deadlines, and insanity.
My phone, my walking take with me anywhere and everywhere hub of my existence is a permanent extension of my hands.
I answer every question, explain as we go, and connect buyers with reputable lenders, inspectors, and attorneys.
I routinely drive across three counties to unlock doors for people who may never actually buy a property.
And despite all of this…
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! 😍
Because every once in a while, after months of chaos, stress, negotiations, inspections, repairs, appraisals, title issues, lender conditions, and a minor emotional breakdown from at least one person involved…
Someone gets the keys.
Someone gets the check.
And me? I get to do it all over again tomorrow.
Honestly, I don’t sell houses.
I professionally manage other people’s life decisions while carrying a giant keyring and pretending I know what day it is. 😂🏡🔑
Kate Despins
Health, Happiness & Homes
Coldwell Banker Sexton
16 College Street, Clinton NY
315-796-4732 (call or text anytime)
315-853-3535 (office)
