Real estate is exciting. It’s dynamic. It’s deeply rewarding.
It’s also stressful.
Not all stress is bad — in fact, some of the best seasons in our business come with a higher level of intensity. When multiple listings are moving, clients are making big decisions, and opportunities are lining up, there’s a certain energy that comes with it. We call it “good stress.”
But make no mistake — buying or selling a home is often the largest financial decision someone will ever make. Emotions run high. Expectations matter. And part of our role is not only managing the transaction, but helping our clients manage the experience.
Managing Client Stress Is Part of the Job
One of the most important (and sometimes invisible) aspects of real estate is helping clients stay grounded.
We navigate these contracts, inspections, negotiations, and timelines every day. For many of our clients, this may be their first time — or the first time in decades. What feels routine to us can feel overwhelming to someone else.
Clear communication, setting expectations early, and staying calm when challenges arise are all part of how we support our clients. A steady presence goes a long way.
The Juggle Is Real
Real estate is more lifestyle than job.
We’re on call often. We answer texts at unconventional hours. We show property on weekends. At the same time, we’re also mothers with active kids, sports schedules, homework, and all the moving parts of family life.
The real stress isn’t just work — it’s doing both at the same time.
We’ve learned that boundaries, flexibility, and sometimes stepping into the “home office” (aka the car or garage) for a moment of quiet are essential.
Working With the Right People Makes All the Difference
Every year, one of our goals is simple: work with good people.
When we collaborate with kind, reasonable clients — and cooperative agents on the other side — the entire process becomes smoother. Stress lowers. Solutions come easier. The transaction feels collaborative rather than combative.
In a small community like Santa Barbara and Montecito, reputation matters. Who you work with truly makes a difference.
How We Personally De-Stress
We’re often asked how we stay calm.
The honest answer? It’s a mix of perspective and a few personal rituals.
For us, it looks like:
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Time at the beach
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Laughing with friends
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Community
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Exercise
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Sleep
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A mid-day Diet Coke that signals either celebration or survival
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Gardening, puzzles, or thrifting — something mindless that resets the brain
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Family time
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And yes, occasionally a glass of wine
The key is knowing yourself well enough to recognize when you need to reset.
The Power of a Team
If you’re considering a career in real estate, our biggest piece of advice is this: find a team.
Having people to celebrate with, problem-solve with, and even vent with makes the inevitable stress manageable. Real estate is rarely a solo sport. Collaboration strengthens both the experience and the outcome.
At the end of the day, stress is part of any meaningful work. We don’t try to eliminate it entirely — we learn to manage it. And in doing so, we’re able to show up steady, strategic, and supportive for our clients.
That’s what matters most.
