The more successful I am in business, the harder I work. And I don't seem to mind.

Just a little odd - one thing partly on my mind when starting out was *not* working as much. But it turns out, that's not the way of a true entreperneur. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Just a word of caution for those of you starting businesses -  you will work *more* and *harder* than you ever did. And you won't (can't) stop.

But it's not bad at all. Trust me.

I haven't posted lately because I'm working on a few large projects. And we're looking to buy a new house as well. Which is frustrating as hell.

To begin, I have to be honest, I don't see how some real estate people make a living. So far, many of the ones I have experience with move at a glacial pace - I mean, I've seen snails move faster.

We look at a house Saturday, and love it - make an offer on the spot. Maryellen and I are like that. We write a $500 check right there in the driveway. Then we hear.... nothing. Until Monday. Our offer was refused and countered (which we expected.) So we counter back, and have heard nothing... it's now Tuesday. This is already taking longer than I want - this is the age of cell phones and e-mail. Let's go, people. We should be able to get an agreement in principal quickly.

Our buying agent seems pretty on the ball, but I find out the seller's agent is a part-timer, and has another job during the week. This means she can only do weekday business for about an hour each day.

Say what?  

Well, that would explain the turtle-like pace. But the above is nothing - in reality, perhaps this is a normal part of things. I can go with it - it's not like I'm super experienced in buying houses. And I'm pretty impatient - I do things RIGHT NOW. Which is either a good trait or a really annoying fault, depending on your relationship with me .

 However, the whole thing gets worse.

Today, my clever wife (who is a paralegal for a real estate attorney and knows this business backwards and forwards) pulls the subdivision map from the county clerk's office and guess what - the lot is almost 1/3 SMALLER than advertised on the listing.  It's listed as 1.38 acres. In reality, it's an eyelash under one acre.

Once again, say what???

Wait, this need to be stronger. As in "are you @#$%ing kidding me???"

The listing agent/agency is seriously at fault here. Because they are listing something so blatantly wrong and false that it boggles the mind. That would be like advertising a 40" TV, having 40" on the box, but only having a 30" one inside. No company/store could get away with that. 

I mean, if my wife can pull the subdivision map that easily, couldn't the listing agency do the same for a property that they are friggen listing?

Now maybe this happens all the time. Or is an oversight. But to be perfectly honest, from this customer's point of view, it's either dishonest, or shockingly lazy.  

We will still buy this house (we like it), but I have to say, I can see why some real estate people shine and others starve.  

Moved to new blog at www.danfurmanonline.com