A real behind-the-scenes look at a Realtor’s day, Sarasota market shifts, pricing strategy, and why homes are still selling in 2026.
By Kim Donahue | Real Estate Expert Advisor, Your Realtor with a Heart to Serve
Yesterday, someone asked me what the day in the life of a full-time, always-on Realtor actually looks like.
And honestly… I paused for a second.
Because when you live this life every day, you almost forget how much goes into it.
You forget that most people never see the early mornings, the emotional weight, the constant problem solving, the calls that don’t get answered, the buyers crying in parking lots, the sellers terrified of making the wrong decision, or the mental gymnastics of trying to help people move through one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of their lives.
So I thought I’d capture yesterday.
Not the polished Instagram version.
The real version.
Yesterday started at 5:00 AM.
Coffee brewing.
Dogs outside.
Feeding Bella and Shadow.
Quiet house.
Dark sky.
I sat there praying, meditating, trying to ground myself before the noise of the day started.
Then I turned on YouTube for something inspirational, and somehow YouTube always seems to know exactly what I need to hear. Maybe our phones really are listening. 😂
I got dressed completely ready for the day—even though I had zero appointments on the calendar yet.
And if you’re in sales, you understand this…
You don’t wait for the opportunity to show up before preparing yourself for it.
You prepare first.
Then the opportunities come.
At 7:00 AM, I jumped on our role-play call.
At 8:00 AM, I was on the phones.
Calling owners trying to rent their homes themselves.
Calling expired listings.
Calling sellers who are frustrated.
Calling buyers who are nervous.
Calling people who are overwhelmed.
Calling people who simply need someone calm enough to help them think clearly.
Conversations turn into serving
Some conversations lasted two minutes.
Some lasted thirty.
Some people were kind.
Some were defensive.
Some were exhausted.
But somewhere in the middle of all of it, I scheduled two appointments.
Then I sat down and wrote a blog article.
Then I ran through the market updates I check every single day.
And that’s when something hit me…
A LOT of properties went pending yesterday.
A LOT sold.
And that told me something important:
The market IS moving.
Homes ARE selling.
Buyers ARE buying.
So if your property is sitting…
No showings.
No offers.
No movement.
It’s not because “nothing is selling.”
It comes down to strategy.
Pricing.
Positioning.
Presentation.
Exposure.
Perceived value.
And here’s the part that really stood out to me…
A home near railroad tracks closed yesterday.
I mean CLOSE to the tracks.
The kind of location most sellers would immediately say:
“No one will buy that.”
And yet… someone did.
Because there is ALWAYS a buyer at the right price.
Always.
That reminded me of my own home.
I literally live underneath the airport.
Planes fly over the front and back of my house all day long.
And you know what?
I LOVE this house.
I love the neighborhood.
I love the people.
I love the energy here.
I love the convenience.
I love the memories attached to it.
What bothers one person may mean absolutely nothing to another.
That’s real estate.
That’s life.
Which brings me to something sellers really need to hear right now…
Holding firm emotionally on a price because “that’s what your neighbor got” six months ago may actually COST you more money in the long run.
Because while you’re waiting for the market to magically come back to peak pricing…
The buyers are moving on.
And the inventory around you keeps competing.
But here’s the interesting part most people miss:
If you sell slightly lower in today’s market…
You’re ALSO buying slightly lower in today’s market.
People only focus on what they’re losing on the sale side.
They forget they’re gaining on the purchase side too.
The math matters.
And buyers…
I need you to hear this too.
Waiting for interest rates to drop sounds smart emotionally.
But financially?
Sometimes it’s actually the more expensive decision.
Because historically, when rates drop, demand increases.
And when demand increases?
Prices rise.
Competition rises.
Multiple offers return.
Negotiation power disappears.
So the buyer who purchased now at today’s price may refinance later and save hundreds per month…
While also saving tens of thousands on the actual purchase price of the home itself.
That’s strategy.
Not fear.
And honestly?
This market right now belongs to the people willing to think differently.
Not emotionally.
Strategically.
The sellers willing to position correctly.
The buyers willing to act intelligently.
The agents willing to tell people the truth instead of just telling them what they want to hear.
Because the truth is…
Real estate isn’t just about houses.
It’s about timing.
Fear.
Hope.
Transitions.
Divorce.
Marriage.
Retirement.
Fresh starts.
Overwhelm.
Dreams.
Identity.
Money.
Security.
And every single day, I sit in the middle of all of it trying to help people make the best decisions possible.
Some days are exhausting.
Some days are emotional.
Some days I wonder if people even realize how much happens behind the scenes.
But then I watch a family get keys.
I watch a seller finally breathe again.
I watch someone move into the next chapter of their life.
And I remember exactly why I love this business.
connect with me today!
Buying, selling, renting, Need a friend or trying to figure it all out—I’m here for it.
👉 Book your free strategy session at kimsellssarasota.com
Let’s get you moving in the right direction. 🤎
“And remember, if you need real estate advice, a friend to talk to, or someone to support you on your journey—I’m here.
📲 Call or text me anytime!
Kim Donahue
941-724-2587″
©️ 2026 Kim Donahue Realtor
