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What it takes to make it as a REALTOR

By
Real Estate Agent with Real Living / Home Realty 29202

My blog today is inspired by Andrew Trevino's blog asking "Is now a good time to become a REALTOR?" 

Overwhelmingly, I say "yes" it's a great time to be in the real estate business!  I know of no other business a person can get into and instantly have access to millions of dollars of inventory to sell, at no cost to them.  Here is what I have found it takes to "make it" in real estate:

1.  Work-ethic:  You must produce.  This is not your Broker's responsibility.  Everyday, YOU must evaluate what you do and ask yourself "Is this an income producing activity"?  Networking and other marketing activities are eventual income producers, but you must be listing property and showing property to make money.  This is your daily goal.

2.  Change.  Embrace it.  Real estate is no place for sissies & whiners.  If you want a job where you show up, the phone rings and you get paid, this is not the business for you!  We must not only embrace change, but be the agents of change.  Innovate, innovate, innovate. 

3.  Save. Save. Save.  Many REALTORS found out the hard way that the real estate market is ... shall we say volatile?  Your budget should include a line for income taxes, profit and savings.  Not only is the real estate market unpredictable, but so is life.  We suffered a horrific tornado in 2000 that stifled our market for three months.  Personal illness, family deaths and struggles can affect your income.  If you are stressed, you can't be creative and it will negatively affect your productivity.  It doesn't matter how much money you make  - it's how much you save!

Happy serving and selling in 2010!  And thanks Andrew for inspiring me!

Comments (2)

Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Excellent points, Karen.  This is not a business for the faint of heart.

Jan 21, 2010 03:53 PM
Marianne Grant, Realtor
Jack White Real Estate - Anchorage, AK
CRS 907-529-6602

Hi Karen,

Gosh, you hit IT on the head, Karen. NOBODY talks about the need to SAVE SAVE SAVE. MY advice to newbies in the business has been for years: DON'T SPEND WHAT YOU HAVE NOT FIRST MADE! I guess that is good advice for everyone who is self-employed. And the temptations in Real Estate to SPEND SPEND SPEND  are never-ending. Just say NO to spending! Thanks for bringing up this important point. Marianne

Jan 26, 2010 03:23 PM