I've started lying about my profession at social gatherings. Last week at a friend's barbecue, I told someone I was an "independent property consultant" just to avoid the inevitable twenty-minute conversation about their cousin who's "thinking about maybe possibly selling in the next three to five years" and could I just take a quick look at some photos on their phone and give them a number? Or the guy who corners me by the cooler wanting to know if NOW is a good time to buy, like I'm some kind of economic oracle who can predict interest rates while holding a paper plate of potato salad. My personal favorite is when people immediately launch into their horror story about their own agent from 2009 and look at me like I'm personally responsible. I became a realtor because I genuinely love helping people find homes. I did not sign up to be everyone's free appraiser, market analyst, and emotional support professional at every single social event I attend. I just want to eat my burger in peace. Is that too much to ask? Apparently yes. Yes it is.