Becoming a real estate agent is kind of like being pregnant…no one ever tells you what it’s really like. They make you think that it’s just one glorious time after another… and nothing could be further from the truth. I won’t go into any details about being pregnant, but I will discuss some of the things that sounded so easy in pre-licensing class.
You Get to Make Your Own Schedule
Yes it is true that you get to make your own schedule…and that can be good or go horribly wrong. Because no one is there to tell you when to go to work it’s easy to waste entire days surfing the internet (researching), “working” from your home office or doing some other unproductive activity.You Don’t Know What to Do
You know you should be doing something, but what that something is is where you have an issue. Plus, you’re not quite sure how to approach people and you’re deathly afraid of saying something wrong or not knowing the answer to the questions they might ask.Pretending to Work
Since you’re not sure what to do you want to at least look like you’re working on your real estate business so you attend a few classes on how to use the multiple listing service or how to write a contract. Although the goal should be to get in front of people who might actually buy or sell real estate, you hide behind the classes.Working on Your Web Site
You know you need to have an online presence so you spend time mastering WordPress (since you don’t have the money to hire someone else to do it). It takes a while, but you get the hang of it…it only took a week or so, but you saved so much money. While it may be true that you have more time than money, you need to spend your time wisely. Unless you plan on a career as a web site designer it is probably worth your money to delegate that task.Where Do Clients Come From
You’ve come to realize that your broker doesn’t have a drawer full of leads to give you so you wonder where you will be getting your clients. In pre licensing class they tell you to contact your Sphere of Influence, but your SOI is all but ignoring you and talking to strangers is way out of your comfort zone.What They Don’t Show You
In pre licensing class and on reality television being a real estate agent seems very glamorous. You show a few houses, write the offer and go to settlement. They never show or tell the struggle of wondering where your next client or commission will come from. They don’t tell of you showing a client dozens and dozens of houses only for them to decide to rent 9 months down the road. They don’t tell you that you may have to clean up a property before holding the open house. They don’t show you with a broom and dust pan in your hand because your seller didn’t get the house clean enough for the final walk through. They don’t tell you about the numerous phone calls you will get from your buyer asking if all her friends and relatives can see the house when they come to town.The Bottom Line
The bottom line is this, what they don’t tell you could fill a book. Selling real estate is a job and like any other job you’ve held, you have to work. But unlike some of the jobs you may have held, as a real estate agent if you work smart you can make a good living and have time left over to enjoy it. Happy selling!
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As an active Realtor licensed in three jurisdictions, I approach real estate training from a different perspective. With over 18 years in the real estate business, I teach agents what it’s really like to be a real estate agent.
