photo courtesy of Andres Rueda

The "beat goes on" and the dollars keep flowing.

Earlier today I got involved in a bit of a posting frenzy as each writer began to expand on the topic and run with off shoots of the thoughts being presented.  This post is no different, but before I get into it, I wanted to say a) I couldn't be happier to see this going on ActiveRain - I think it's part of where the true power of communities like this are and b) please take a moment to read the other posts and send a comment their way.  These are all great writers (outside of these posts as well) and I'd like to thank them all for giving me a chance to be apart of their conversation.  Here's the run down on the posts:

Carol Culkin: Get A Job? - Realtors Who Have To Do, What They Have To Do...

Lenn Harley: THERE IS DIGNITY IN ALL HONEST WORK.

Steve Shatsky: Are New REALTORS® Prepared for the Realities that Face Them?

Carol Culkin: Realtors: Budget For Expenses, Plan For Down Markets & Have A Back-Up Plan

Matt Stigliano (that's me): The post that just kept growing and growing and growing...

Steve Shatsky: The Beat Goes On... Another Installment in the Agent Success Series

Real estate is a lot of things, but it's not cheap.

We all know the costs involved in real estate, because we're doing it on a daily basis.  But what about the new guy, sitting in his license classes and dreaming of the day he gets his first commission check.  We were all there once - were you prepared for what was to come?  There's the splits, the fees, the gas, the dues, the cost of lockboxes and keys, the cost of signs and marketing, and...  But none of those are all that shocking.  At least they weren't to me.  I was prepared for much of that through pre-licensing talks I had with the agent who helped inspire me to get my license as well as some of my classmates who were taking their continuing education courses.  Many of those fees vary depending on what direction you decide to go.

Expect the unexpected.

The things that took me off guard were the opportunities to purchase products and services.  I have remained tight with my cash when it comes to the mountains of offers I get daily (my most recent offer was for what basically amounted to someone setting up my Google Profile for a few hundred a month...something that took me all of 10 minutes to do...for free).  The wolves are out there, lying in wait for the new agent.  Ready to take their money and leave them with nothing but "an empty bank account and a stack of business cards" (my new favorite phrase).

The opportunities to purchase products and services are often met with skepticism from me.  I've been promised riches beyond my wildest imagination to simply recite my credit card numbers over the phone.  Much like the Nigerian banking scams that have become so prevalent in my inbox, most of these are nothing more than an attempt to bilk me of what little I have.  I don't like being sold to and especially don't like anyone bullying me while doing it.

What amazes it me is the amount of products (not services), especially in what I would call the software field that are a monthly charge.  Now there are some I can justify as a monthly charge - the data continues to change and you're basically getting an ever evolving product.  But for a contact management system?  I know many of you out there swear by some of them, but a monthly fee for a database that you add data to?  It just doesn't make any sense to me.  None.

How I select any product or service.

I'm not the product/service guru, so please, don't think for one minute I'm here to tell you how to run your business.  You'll find your way, through the same trial and error we all go through.  But, I do like to let people know what has worked for me.  First, when you start say no to everyone.  Bear with it and keep saying no.  Make friends in the RE.net world.  Whether it's here on ActiveRain or Twitter or Facebook or in the office.  Make some friends.  I didn't believe most agents would give me the time of day.  Boy was I wrong.  Sure there are still some out there who will try and covet their "secrets to success" but there are plenty out there that will share willingly.  Count me in as one of them.

When you get to know a few people, ask them about something you noticed on their website.  What's that link to their "outside blog" all about?  How did they do those market reports?  What about those virtual tours?  Find out what they're doing and why.  One of the great things about the community at ActiveRain is that because many of use are not directly "competing" in our local area, it allows for a much greater open flow of ideas and information.  Of course, if you're lucky to live in a town like San Antonio, that's not a problem either (thanks to people like Kristin Moran and Shirley Parks - and that's only two out of many).  The more you question other agents, the more informed decisions you can make (wow, that sounds like something we tell consumers - "informed decisions"...wonder why so many agents talk it up, but fail to do it themselves).

With technology being where it is today as well, I find that many of the best and brightest when it comes to technology are friendly folks who won't sell you their product.  When I was interested in AltosResearch, I found the CEO on Twitter and asked for his email so I could ask some questions.  A few weeks later I was purchasing their product because I could see the value in it after I spoke with him.  I also saw value in the fact that the CEO had personal contact with me on a non-sales level and was always there to answer my questions.  Customer service goes a long way (sound familiar?).

The idea is to know what you're buying.  Just because someone calls you and tells you their product is the best product on earth, does that make it true?  Remain skeptical, but remain open to ideas.  You'll learn to sift through the garbage.  You may spend some money here or there that winds up being wasted.  Don't let that kill you.  Failure will always be the winner’s way.  Get to know the products and services, but remember what works for the guy in the office next to yours won't always be what works for you.  Experiment and don't get locked into a product before you know what it's capable of.  Ask for a trial.  Ask for a short term run.  If a company isn't willing to let you see what you're getting into before locking you in for a year or more, in my opinion, there's a reason.  Let people put their money where their mouth is.  You'll find that those with confidence in their products and services often will.