Patricia Kennedy

By Patricia Kennedy

Last week, I found myself packing for the most amazing vacation I’ve taken in years, maybe ever: three weeks on the beaches of Maui with a man who makes my heart skip beats every time I look at him, and a convertible. As I was packing, it occurred to me how Type-A I have become over the last few years. I mean, look at the stuff I brought:

1. Strappy sandals – check
2. Bathing suits – check
3. SPF 50 sunscreen – check
4. Shorts and t-shirts – check
5. MacBook Air (with contract writing software) – check
6. Kindle – check
7. iPhone – check
8. Digital cameras – check
9. Snorkeling equipment – check
10. Battery packs and chargers for items 5 through 8 above – check

With all of these miracles of modern technology, I can be away and still be connected to my clients.

But wait. This picture is out of focus!

So often, real estate practitioners try to get away to recharge and refresh, only to make themselves crazy by trying not to lose a single deal while they are away. So, why even bother to take the trip?

Before I left, I decided that this trip would be different. I called all of my clients to let them know I’d be gone, and that a trusted colleague was on call to cover any real estate emergency that might arise. And guess what? Most of them were headed out of town as well!

I will be checking my e-mail a couple of times a day and answering my phone when it rings  — on the iPhone in the convertible. But by and large, I’ve been able to disconnect temporarily from my Washington, D.C. real estate practice. And I am really fortunate to have two highly professional colleagues watching out for me.

And, of course, it’s much easier knowing that Mother Nature dumped a couple of feet of snow on my market area, thereby diminishing any desire any of my clients might have to go look at property!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the gorgeous beaches of Maui!

Patricia Kennedy is an associate broker with Evers & Company Real Estate.Visit Pat’s blog: www.housepat.activerain.com.