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Just because you got your real estate license doesn’t mean you know how to sell real estate.

By
Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate

I know you're all excited you are now licensed to sell real estate. You have taken your classes and passed the state test. You have signed on with a real estate company, ordered you business cards, and convinced one of your friends that you are now a real estate professional and can find them their dream home.

But that doesn't mean you know what you are doing. When you are first starting out you need to find a company that has an excellent training program for new agents. A broker, who will always be there to answer questions, goes over paperwork before your client signs on the dotted line. Makes sure you are doing things correctly!  A company that shows you how to write a strong contract, how to protect your client, and things not to do that might get you into trouble. These are things they do not teach in school.

Spend a lot of time in the office.  You can learn quite of bit by just listening to the war stories of the experienced agents in the office. Ask questions! If you are not 100% sure of the answer, find someone who is and ask them. We expect you to ask questions. We were all new once, we understand.

Learn who you can trust. You are new and yes, some agents will try and take advantage of this and you should be aware of this fact. Not all agents are nice. Not all agents tell the truth, watch what you say and to whom.

And last but not least, spend a lot of time on Active Rain, where you can always find wonderful advice, answers to questions, funny stories and great friends

 

Comments (49)

Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Sandra, Mr. Bryant Tutas have learned a lot from Trial and Error, it is not a good way to learn, but for many of us it is, you know what ?  My boss told me once,  that's the cost to learn, the mistakes or trial and error or you need to pay to learn, so whatever way you choose, if you want to save some bucks, you will have to invest time at least to read, AR it is an awesome source to learn, we learn from each other, I love it !   and we have you , you are a real gem here on the Rain :).  as I can see,  Hobert C Wehir found you through doing a search on the search engines, that's awesome eh ? :)

 

Jul 16, 2007 07:07 PM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Ray:

It is always a pleasure reading your comments. I agree you can never spend enough time learning. No matter how long you have been in the business, there is always something new to learn. And AR is a fantastic resource. I hope Hobert took my advice and joined.

Sandra

Jul 17, 2007 01:44 AM
Ann Guy
NA - Allentown, PA

Oh how true!  This is great advice!  

And it is a sad world we live in when we have to be reminded that not everyone is honest and can be trusted.  I am glad you pointed that out.  Obviously, you do not fall into that category.  

Jul 17, 2007 03:13 AM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Thank you Ann

Yes, it is definitely sad fact of life that not everyone is trustworthy. Even here on AR, we run into it time and time again, don't we? Can't seem to get away from it no matter where we go. On a brighter note, there are always the knights in shinning armor ready to lend a helping hand where ever they are needed.

Sandra

 

Jul 17, 2007 03:35 AM
Melissa Olson
HOPE Lending LLC - Bellevue, WA
HOPE Lending LLC

Great post!  I'd like to believe that to be successful they must be doing "good" business, but it's not always the case.  You've given good advice for anyone to use.

Thank You!

Jul 17, 2007 02:03 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Sandra,

This goes for mortgage lenders, too. It's one thing to get your license, quite another to know how to generate leads. How to create an effective marketing campaign. Now that's of course if you want to do it on your own and then be the only one to reap the benefits. Office support makes a huge difference between becoming successful or not.

Jul 17, 2007 04:30 PM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Melissa:

What valuable input. Should add that to the list.  Learn how to do "good" business not just business. Golden rule "do onto others". Thanks for your comment.

Esko Yes, whenever you are starting out in a new career, there is a huge learning curve. Both in the real estate and the mortgage business I think a lot of new licensees think the business is just going to walk through the door.  If only it really did work that way : )

Sandra

 

Jul 18, 2007 06:33 AM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor
Sandra, I am happy that you always have great and many comments, people loves you :) Esko is an awesome guy to meet, as many others, hm...   I am like you, I Love to learn always and everyday something new.
Jul 18, 2007 09:53 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Sandra,

Lets hope that this guy took your advise and joined it to this great community, :P

Ray

Jul 18, 2007 10:18 AM
#38
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Ray:

So have you met Esko? I have met George! In fact, I will be seeing him tonight. It's wonderful when you get to met someone you have come to know here on AR. So when are you coming to Connecticut : )

I don't know if Hobert joined or not, but I hope he took my advice and did.

Sandra

Jul 18, 2007 11:22 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Sandra,

I do not know Esko in person, but he seems a really good person so far :) just kidding, nahh, he is a good man and George, I have spoken with him on the phone, he is a very nice person too, there are good people here on the rain. Hopefully one day not so far , I will be in your state so we can meet somewhere around your nice state.

Ray

Jul 20, 2007 04:29 AM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Ray:

I have meet George a couple of times, last time last Thursday.  He is a wonderful man, he actually stood in the pouring rain with me for a good half hour. Great guy! So when exactly are you coming to CT?

Sandra 

Jul 22, 2007 10:13 AM
Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast
Sandra, I'm a bit late getting here.  Sorry.  This post rings true in so many ways.  Excellent advice for the new agent.  Just spending some time at the office listening teaches so much.  Taking your advice to heart can help even the newest of agents with the learning curve.
Jul 22, 2007 12:48 PM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Hey Maggie:

Really glad you stopped by! Thanks for your comments and I know I learned so much as a new agent just hanging around the office. I really hope this post can help some of the newer agents on AR.

Sandra

Jul 22, 2007 01:29 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor
Sandra,

not sure, but hopefully soon, remember sooner or later it is better than never !!! :) hahaha

Ray
Jul 27, 2007 06:41 PM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Ray:

Too funny.....but you are right!

Sandra

Jul 28, 2007 02:48 AM
Beth Bastian
Rosemont Financial Inc - Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley Real Estate
I have a few agents I will send this post too.
Aug 02, 2007 07:06 PM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Beth - I can think of a few agents myself -

Sandra

Aug 03, 2007 12:27 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Look at this little golden nugget from yesteryear.  Oh, the memories.  Good article, Sandra.

Sep 22, 2008 06:37 AM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

lol...oh, just great...you had to go looking for it, didn't you.

Sep 22, 2008 07:03 AM