I know you're all excited you are now licensed to sell real estate. You have taken your classes and passed the state test. You have signed on with a real estate company, ordered you business cards, and convinced one of your friends that you are now a real estate professional and can find them their dream home.
But that doesn't mean you know what you are doing. When you are first starting out you need to find a company that has an excellent training program for new agents. A broker, who will always be there to answer questions, goes over paperwork before your client signs on the dotted line. Makes sure you are doing things correctly! A company that shows you how to write a strong contract, how to protect your client, and things not to do that might get you into trouble. These are things they do not teach in school.
Spend a lot of time in the office. You can learn quite of bit by just listening to the war stories of the experienced agents in the office. Ask questions! If you are not 100% sure of the answer, find someone who is and ask them. We expect you to ask questions. We were all new once, we understand.
Learn who you can trust. You are new and yes, some agents will try and take advantage of this and you should be aware of this fact. Not all agents are nice. Not all agents tell the truth, watch what you say and to whom.
And last but not least, spend a lot of time on Active Rain, where you can always find wonderful advice, answers to questions, funny stories and great friends
Hi Sandra/Dan
Excellent advice. Much of it could also apply to those of us who have been around for awhile. The learning should never stop.
You know the same can be said about a drivers license . . .
Thanks for the great insight
Bill
Yes - Everyday I learn something new.
Brad
Hope you have a great weekend too.
Kelley
Thanks for stopping by.
Brian:
I agree a great mentor is a wonderful thing.
Laurie
I agree you can learn a great deal from visiting your farm area and obtaining designations, but do disagree with you in regard with what you can learn just sitting in the office. When I was a new agent experienced agents would take me along with them on showings, now when I'm in the office newbies pepper me with questions and I'm more than happy to help. You can't get that at home researching the MLS.
As far as learning who you can trust - it is a fact of real estate - not all agents are honest. Did not necessarily mean in your own office. Quite a few times I have seen a new agent in the middle of their first deal being taken advantage of by the other more experienced agent.
John
Love the comparison
George
I agree it is much like the mortgage business, most anyone can get a license, but how many really know what to do with it one they get it.
Sandra
Sandra,
I agree, great tips for new agents. I learned a lot listening to the war stories. Congratulations on your feature! :)
Thanks Sandra you're so right this applys to everyone. I find there are quite a few senior realtors who feel they've seen it all. They do nothing to update themselves with the times.
Then you a a family member of theres who's new to the business and riding there coat tails and think well they've done well for themselfes why should I do anything diffrent. OMG these are the people that sit in the office just waiting for that call and they'll be waiting forever because they won't or can't change. So my feelings theres many out there that really need a refresher coarse.
There are also many people out there that do not know how to sell by that I mean you need to sell yourself at a listing and know how to sell that home to your buyer. It amazes me what I see and they wonder why they didn't get the listing or why there buyers went somewhere else.
Thank again
So true. I actually failed my test twice before finally passing in 1989. I learned little to nothing about selling real estate from school or the test!
I was about to quit when the Broker I was going to work for said "this test keeps some of the best agents out of the business, don't give up". I am grateful for that advice!
Dan - I know when I was first starting out I learned so much by going into the office, the agents that were there shared so much of their knowledge with me. I now try to pass it on to the new agents in the office. This business is hard enough.
Grant - Every agent in the business works with the agents you describe. It is nothing new. Not trying to change the world here just maybe help out a couple of new agents.
Melissa - I'm so happy for you. Sounds like you have done everything right and have teamed yourself with a wonderful agent. I wish you the best in your career.
Suzanne - Thank you for you comment - I was very surprised when I saw that it was featured. Go figure.
Anita - you are so right - but I have a feeling these types of agents can't or won't change with the times. Sad really.
Rosemary - Thank you I will try : )
Sue - What a wise broker you had.
Chris - I don't think they teach how to fill out a contract anymore. Received the worse contract I ever saw the other day from a new agent, only good thing about it was the closing date. They needed to take "how to write a contract 101". Really sad - not in their clients best interest.
Sandra
Right you are ...in Georgia, you can get a real estate license with 75 in-class hours, yet it takes two years to get a license to cut hair!!!
75 Hours die not an agent make!
Something I am well aware of as a Rookie Agent. I call my colleagues, broker, and sales office once a day minimum with questions, more like 8. Thanks for the reminder though!
Lexa Montierth
Jen: Yeah - not all agents are nice, but hopefully we don't run into them too often.
Richard: Wouldn't it be nice if it took two years to get a Real Estate license?
Lexa: Seems to me, as a rookie agent, you realize there are still many things you need to learn to become a successful real estate agent and it sounds like you have a excellent support team behind you. Best of luck to you in your career and much success.
Doug: Thank you for your comment
Nattalie: Getting the right support is so important and can mean the difference between making it in this business or not. And I love A/R, learn something new every time I log on. : )
Ray: Thank you so much. We can never stop learning, no matter how long we have been in the business. I know I seem to learn a lot with the trial and error method : )
Thesa: I'm glad your with an agency that offers so much support. Makes all the difference, doesn't it? The new licensee that I ran into is at another agency, so I'm not really able to give them advice. Too bad seems like a really nice person, trying very hard. Needs someone to take them under their wing. Don't believe they are getting the support that they need.
Sandra
Your are completely right here! I have wondered the same thing mysaelf.
I'm glad I found this website. After reading all your input, I don't feel so all alone. I received my license two years ago, but I'm only two transactions new in the business. I must admit I've learned a lot, however, I still need much more hands on training to feel comfortable executing a transaction all by my self. I'm searching for a Real Estate Broker who has a school that will groom me into a confident Realtor. For now, I just pretend this is my first day in the business feeling blessed that I know as much as I do. I am committed to becoming a professional Realtor. And I've experienced the incintive of collecting two large commission checks, so I know the opportunity that awaits me.
Again, thank you for all your comments.
Shawn: Thank you for stopping by and I hope that by posting this I might have help someone that is stuggling.
Hobert: I'm also glad you found the website....I noticed that you are not a member and invite you to join. This is a great community and there is lots be to learned here. I wish you the best in finding a broker who meets your needs. Best of Luck
Sandra
Sandra, Mr. Bryant Tutas have learned a lot from Trial and Error, it is not a good way to learn, but for many of us it is, you know what ? My boss told me once, that's the cost to learn, the mistakes or trial and error or you need to pay to learn, so whatever way you choose, if you want to save some bucks, you will have to invest time at least to read, AR it is an awesome source to learn, we learn from each other, I love it ! and we have you , you are a real gem here on the Rain :). as I can see, Hobert C Wehir found you through doing a search on the search engines, that's awesome eh ? :)
Ray:
It is always a pleasure reading your comments. I agree you can never spend enough time learning. No matter how long you have been in the business, there is always something new to learn. And AR is a fantastic resource. I hope Hobert took my advice and joined.
Sandra
Oh how true! This is great advice!
And it is a sad world we live in when we have to be reminded that not everyone is honest and can be trusted. I am glad you pointed that out. Obviously, you do not fall into that category.
Thank you Ann
Yes, it is definitely sad fact of life that not everyone is trustworthy. Even here on AR, we run into it time and time again, don't we? Can't seem to get away from it no matter where we go. On a brighter note, there are always the knights in shinning armor ready to lend a helping hand where ever they are needed.
Sandra
Great post! I'd like to believe that to be successful they must be doing "good" business, but it's not always the case. You've given good advice for anyone to use.
Thank You!
Sandra,
This goes for mortgage lenders, too. It's one thing to get your license, quite another to know how to generate leads. How to create an effective marketing campaign. Now that's of course if you want to do it on your own and then be the only one to reap the benefits. Office support makes a huge difference between becoming successful or not.
Melissa:
What valuable input. Should add that to the list. Learn how to do "good" business not just business. Golden rule "do onto others". Thanks for your comment.
Esko Yes, whenever you are starting out in a new career, there is a huge learning curve. Both in the real estate and the mortgage business I think a lot of new licensees think the business is just going to walk through the door. If only it really did work that way : )
Sandra
Sandra,
Lets hope that this guy took your advise and joined it to this great community, :P
Ray
Ray:
So have you met Esko? I have met George! In fact, I will be seeing him tonight. It's wonderful when you get to met someone you have come to know here on AR. So when are you coming to Connecticut : )
I don't know if Hobert joined or not, but I hope he took my advice and did.
Sandra
Sandra,
I do not know Esko in person, but he seems a really good person so far :) just kidding, nahh, he is a good man and George, I have spoken with him on the phone, he is a very nice person too, there are good people here on the rain. Hopefully one day not so far , I will be in your state so we can meet somewhere around your nice state.
Ray
Ray:
I have meet George a couple of times, last time last Thursday. He is a wonderful man, he actually stood in the pouring rain with me for a good half hour. Great guy! So when exactly are you coming to CT?
Sandra
Hey Maggie:
Really glad you stopped by! Thanks for your comments and I know I learned so much as a new agent just hanging around the office. I really hope this post can help some of the newer agents on AR.
Sandra
not sure, but hopefully soon, remember sooner or later it is better than never !!! :) hahaha
Ray
Ray:
Too funny.....but you are right!
Sandra
Beth - I can think of a few agents myself -
Sandra
Look at this little golden nugget from yesteryear. Oh, the memories. Good article, Sandra.
lol...oh, just great...you had to go looking for it, didn't you.