Becoming a Real Estate agent.......any advice?

[CremeBrulee]

I have been in pharma sales for my career and have retired down here in Paradise/30A. I have a passion for real estate and got through the pre licensure course last night. I know it can be brutal out there. Is the market coming up enough now to support new agents?

 

[Kurt]

Agents come and go. A good realtor is years in the making. Starting out, the key is to find a great office and broker to learn from. Follow your passion.

Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

 

[Beach Runner]

Don't dress like your next stop is the Red Bar and/or the beach. If you are a woman, don't show cleavage and don't wear short skirts/dresses. If you are a male, wear long pants. Business casual is best. People from the ATL aren't accustomed to dealing with professionals who look like they just rolled off the beach.

From the email I'm getting from realtors, the market looks great. Houses in Rosemary under a million are selling like hotcakes, as are the condos. The prices have dropped since a year ago, but it seems like if the price of a house anywhere in Rosemary goes under a million, there is a contract on it within a week. At Watersound West the prices are going up almost every week due to demand driving up the price. Even the houses well north of 30A such as in Watercolor near Publix are selling well.

 

[Bobby J]

I think the market will always support new agents. It can be brutal the first year or so but its well worth it once you get a good rhythm going. I wrote my first contract in a wetsuit (true story) and have discovered from that day forward to just be myself. I may not fit in as everyones agent but I also have discovered I don't wanna be everyones agent. Just be yourself. Call people back. Grow your database. Be honest and know your market. You can't fake it. Good luck.

 

[CremeBrulee]

Thank you for your advice...

I am 45 so I figure I have a good 20 years to figure this out LOL. I am am not doing for the money so much as the passion I have for real estate. My husband and I have bought redone 20 houses over the the last 5 years. Figured it was time to do the same thing for others. What are some good questions to ask an office when you interview them?

Agents come and go. A good realtor is years in the making. Starting out, the key is to find a great office and broker to learn from. Follow your passion.

Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

 

[CremeBrulee]

Cute dog! I think I recognize him/her from the art festival we attended this summer in Seaside. Our little peek-a-poo fell in love and started barking. The dress code definitely defines how professionally you want to present yourself. It does sound like a there is an increase in real estate activity. There is a spec house being built across the street from us in Carillon. There are also 3 other houses being built in the neighborhood.

 

[CremeBrulee]

HI Bobby! Tom and I met you in the Carillon pool. We are the ones who redid the house on the corner that burned. Maybe I could sell your beautiful lot at Inlet Beach. Tom and I bike ride past it everyday on our way to Rosemary. Love your advice. Wish me luck in my first year.........

 

[BeachSiO2]

I think the market will always support new agents. It can be brutal the first year or so but its well worth it once you get a good rhythm going. I wrote my first contract in a wetsuit (true story) and have discovered from that day forward to just be myself. I may not fit in as everyones agent but I also have discovered I don't wanna be everyones agent. Just be yourself. Call people back. Grow your database. Be honest and know your market. You can't fake it. Good luck.

My advice would be to listen to Bobby J. Few realtors are as respected in Sowal as he is. I would buy him lunch and pick his brain.

 

[Kurt]

Nice post Bobby! CB maybe you should write your first contract in a bikini so you'll always have that story.

There are a lot of questions about how a broker and an office operate - the ins and outs. Talk to a bunch. Be sure to ask other agents their opinions about brokers. Be willing to do what other agents don't want to do for awhile. Listen 10 times more than you speak. Good advice in any profession!

 

[CremeBrulee]

Sounds like sound advice! It has always puzzled me when agents would not return my calls. I will also be willing to wear a "chicken suit costume" if it gets my clients house sold LOL! When I worked as a pharma rep I went by do what is good for the patient and the profit will follow. Seems that if you want to do what is best for your client you will eventually make a living.