I am not trying to imitate that I have no life outside of my profession. I have a beautiful and talented wife, four devoted children and three interesting grandchildren. On the other hand, when a favorite loan originator of mine asks me to sit with him or her at an open house for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon in the winter time, I rarely refuse.

The open houses generally run no more than two or three hours. Sometimes they are not very well-attended. But, even when just two or three couples show up, I enjoy the arena. First of all, they do not expect an attorney to be in attendance. Most of the couples are young, and they have not yet established a relationship with an attorney. That is something for their parents, not them.

They ask me questions; I try to answer. We interact. I have some cards on the kitchen counter which have my name, cell phone number and email address. They are oversize cards which are gridded. I purchase them through Levenger’s. They are perfect for open houses because the people who come can use them to sketch floor plans. Their “floor plans” have my name and vital information on them. What could be better?

If I had not become an attorney, I would have been a teacher. I like to explain. I like to interact with people and see what makes them tick. My open house experience gives me this chance. More than that, I am doing a favor for, and keeping company with, a consistent source of business introductions. It all ends when the robins show up, and I can put a golf ball in the air. In the meantime, my Sunday open houses mean a lot to me, and I hope I can continue them for many winters to come.