There are several reasons I decided that I want to become a Realtor.
I thought long and hard about the decision, carefully weighing the pros and cons. Ultimately I decided that it was the right decision. My reasons are
- I will be in control of my own earning potential.
- I will be able to see my husband more than once a week.
- I will be directly responsible for the service of my clients, not having to worry about who else might be getting involved in their sale on my day off.
- I will not have to clean up the huge messes that my co-workers make when trying to sell things and they have no idea what they are doing.
- I will get to be a part of what is hopefully the best investment my customers have ever made.
- I will either be loved or hated based on my own talents and abilities (or lack there of) and not what others do in my absence.
- I will be challenged on a daily basis.
I realize that there will be challenges in this career. I am facing many of them already. I think that is what 
excites me so much about this whole endeavor! I have been working hard to prepare myself for the transition. I don't want to come into this blind. I want to have as much ammo in my arsenal as possible. I spend all my free time reading blogs on active rain, reading books on real estate and salesmanship, reading the listings of the local Realtors so I will have an idea of what the local market looks like, reading.... well, just READING a lot. I am currently reading the Little black book of Connections by Jeffrey Gitomer. I think he has a lot of valuable information to share with us. I read his Little Red Book of Sales Answers a few days ago. Much of the information is geared towards corporate business to business sales, but the book still speaks volumes about the core of successful salesmanship. The books are short, to the point, and graphically interesting.
I know that one of the keys to my success will be my excellent communication skills. My past career as a freelance writer and permissions editor gives me a great background for writing and expressing myself. Unfortunately I have let these tools rust in the shed for the last five or six years. I think blogging here on active rain will be a great step towards sharpening these skills to their previous level. I really was a great writer once. I thought about pursuing a journalism degree. Don't laugh, I really did!
There are many others who are just starting out, or thinking of becoming a Realtor. Perhaps reading about my adventure will help them. If any of you have advice or suggestions for me along the way I will be more than happy to hear them.
All of you here on active rain have taught me so much already. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from so many wonderful people here at one time. It is such an awesome feeling to be a part of this community! Today is my 28th birthday, and you have all given me a wonderful gift. Where else could I get so much FREE mentoring? And from the full range of the spectrum from others just starting out as I am to those of you who are true professionals. I do appreciate it.
© 2007 Ali D. Payne
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