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Conducting A Hawaii Real Estate Business Professionally

By
Real Estate Agent with Liberty Homes RS-#62825

C21 MililaniAre you really satisfied with the office and location that YOU chose to conduct your real estate or related industry business? How many of you have moved on to other companies multiple times during the course of your career? How many of you have remained in the same office since you started or moved on to open your own company?  

There could be many different reasons why you moved on or why you chose the office you started with from the beginning although before you make that choice of what office you would like to be associated with there are many factors to take into consideration.

   Location?   The "big company" name?    Area and Neighborhood?    Traffic and Noise?   Office Fees? Commission?   Personal reason such as schools, shopping centers and military bases?     Or just the dreaded "Starting Over"?

When I first started in the Real Estate Industry these are the things I looked for in an office and that eventually led me to the office of MY Choosing:

  • I checked for offices around the Central Oahu area for convenience. (This proved beneficial because I lived 15 minutes away and it would be going against traffic anyway)
  • I checked for offices that had a "known" name because I figured it wouldn't be as hard to start out vs. a not known company name.
  • I checked for offices in and around the Mililani area because this is a neighborhood known for being a well planned community. (It was also close to mom and I could check on her once in awhile)
  • Three large shopping centers, 7 recreation centers
  • I checked for fees. There were no other office fees except for the standard franchise fees and E & O Insurance
  • They offered a gradual scale for commission which I am still happy with.
  • This office is a "self starting" office and we do not have a training program. (I was fine with that because right off the bat an agent took me under her wing and helped me through my entire first transaction. But if you are a new agent you may want to start in an office that has a training program)

I am content. I am a full time agent with Century 21 Liberty Homes and also employed part time for our company in the Admin. section supporting our agents (opening escrow, entering listings and anything and everything) and office as well.  I'm currently at the top of the pay scale, have a supportive bunch of agents in the office who help each other as well as some of us helping newbies coming into the office, I work under a nationally and internationally known company name. CENTURY 21.   I have two Broker's who really make it a "family" type setting for all of us so we are not walking on eggshells. We bought a townhouse a couple of years ago that is now 5 minutes away from the office so I'm closer for the days I work in the office. With real estate I have my own home office and do all my work at home. I am content with what I do have....not with what I don't have. MY CUP IS HALF FULL!

In closing I would like to leave all of you with this thought. If you are planning on moving to another company just be sure to leave on good terms because in this industry you will cross paths with the company and agents many times during your career. Bottom line is, we all may not like some things about how a company is run or how they do things BUT...it's not our company anyway (unless you own your own company) and if we do not like something and need to move on then by all means move on. Just move on with integrity, respect and most of all with your dignity.

We are INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. It's what you make of yourself and how you treat your client's and peers that will return back to you ten fold.

Good luck to you all in all your endeavors!

Posted by

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2015 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's

Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

Comments (18)

Abraham Chaffin
Sand Shell Realty - Cambria, CA
Cambria Real Estate

I joined where I am at now because of the training that they offered. I do a lot of web site and internet real estate but I needed more traditional real estate experience.

I do a lot of floor-time here but it keeps me disciplined. Many people have left the office where I'm at because of the floor-time required but I can do all my internet stuff from my desk so it's no biggie.

Jun 06, 2007 07:24 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
Abraham:  We have floor time but not too many people are signing up lately....and then wonder why they have no business. It's a matter of luck but we are also located in a shopping center so it brings in walk ins as well. After a few years the payoff is great. Referrals are the majority of my business and client's although not good to rely on just that. Thanks for dropping by and giving your side.
Jun 06, 2007 07:40 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
That's awesome Sally!  I am happy too but we just got a new broker in charge of our office and I ticked him off royally today. Imagine that! Me? Tick someone off?  :)  I may have to find another office...because of my choosing.  Although I would hate to.
Jun 06, 2007 09:30 AM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon
Sally or should I say silly sally -lol - you can not imagine how timely your post is for me - I am thinking of making a move for a lot of the reasons you mention here - the one thing you did not mention is working where your heart is... thanks for the reminder :o)
Jun 06, 2007 09:36 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Steph:  You gotta do what you have to for you.... just like I do what I do ....For ME!

Thesa:  You think?  That's pretty much exactly what I'm talking about....working where each of our hearts are.

Jun 06, 2007 09:40 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Sally where we work, the environment that we work in, and who we work with makes a big difference on how we feel and perform.  It is very important to be part of a company that you enjoy going to work for.  Agents move around all the time for the wrong reasons, but it is part of the nature of this business.  Me I don't like change, so I tend to stick around for a long time.

Jun 06, 2007 10:01 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
George:  I just look at where I am today. I like the company and I like my part time job too. It keeps me around real estate all the time, you know?  Plus I have the rewarding feeling to be helping others as well. Change is only good if it will benefit my goals. In this case my goals and loyalty lie here. 
Jun 06, 2007 10:04 AM
Christina Lackey
Coldwell Banker Prime Properties - North Syracuse, NY
Syracuse Central New York Real Estate
You're right. I think all too often a little thing can go wrong and an agent makes a snap decision to leave and doesn't always take the time to make it right.  If they did take the time, they could present that next offer to someone in the office with their head held high.
Jun 06, 2007 10:40 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
My old RE/MAX  broker didn't renew his franchise. So 32 of us stayed to start a new company. All the things you mentioned are important. We are not as large, but very close relationships......we share and support each other.
Jun 06, 2007 10:43 AM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed
Sally, I've been with the first company I hooked up with. I "may" go out on my own very soon as I am a broker, but really like my company. I'm a self-motivated "type," so don't need lots of overseeing. I get comfortable, and believe in: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Jun 06, 2007 10:59 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Sally--It seems like you have found your place and they are lucky to have you as well! It is not always easy to find that perfect fit...Good for you!
Jun 06, 2007 11:05 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Okay...just a few more comments...then I really have to get to the post office!

 

Christina: That's correct!!!  All to often they leave and think the company "owed" them if they were to stay. We have 27 agents. Half of them I don't even see and I'm at the office a lot!

Missy: Hey...we're small...but you know what? Two years ago we had almost 40! And now it's dwindling down (weeding out we call it) which is nice. It's pretty much "back to normal". The good ole gang.

Teri Ellis: Well, I ain't got nothin' broke..so I ain't gonna try an fix it..haha!

Teri Eckholm: first time I had you both next to each other and can't do the Teri E thing because you both have an E!  Anyway, I think  that we all are lucky to have each other.  The "old timers" tend to know what's going on and tend to help each other as well as help the new ones.

Jun 06, 2007 11:21 AM
Danny Smith
DISCOVER TEXAS HOMES - Round Rock, TX
Sally do  blog on your office and show us some pictures of it and the agents! Do all the guys wear Hawaiian shirts to work?
Jun 06, 2007 12:29 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
Danny: Hahahaha...funny. Let's see...my broker's wear golf looking outfits and Randy wears Aloha shirt and polo shirts with his name, company etc. on it...and I wear lingerie...just kidding.  We have about 27 agents and we all pretty much dress "normal" whatever that means.  I wear company women's shirts (sleeveless) and hawaiian looking print shirts with long slacks or capri style. We dress pretty comfortably. Our office has agents desks, conference room downstairs and Broker's and book keeper upstairs.  Can I do a whole blog on our office? okay..give me a couple of days.
Jun 06, 2007 12:59 PM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

WooHoo Sally wearing lingerie at the office, the rumors are gonna fly around here! LOL!

Sally,

Your office sounds wonderful, very good advice for anyone considering a switch. :) 

Jun 06, 2007 01:43 PM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL
I like your advice about "leaving in good terms"....I think that is crucial in our industry - I've seen really ugly situations and it's difficult to run a business like that.  If I lived in Mililani, I would certainly consider your office, without a doubt.
Jun 06, 2007 01:45 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
Suzanne:  Yeah, this old lady wearing lingerie...hahaha.  Thanks for the nice comment!
Jun 06, 2007 01:46 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
Ines: Wow...i leave a response and you pop up..nice surprise! Hey...and we would welcome you with open arms and a lei!  No, not a lay...a flower lei...haha. I too have seen ugly situations.  It sure does burn some bridges! Their fault too!
Jun 06, 2007 01:48 PM