Special offer

Real Estate is a Business. Treat it like one.

Reblogger Michael Cantwell
Mortgage and Lending with Guild Mortgage - NMLS ID #3274 NMLSR ID # 644428

Words of Wisdom from a Top Activerain member.

 

Michael 

Original content by Bryant Tutas BK607690

Broker Bryant www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com Earlier today I read a post byJoshua Pettus titled "I Quit!", "I Need a Real Job!", "I'm Broke!", and Other Things I've Said Recently  A very well written post pretty much pouring his heart out. Give it a read.

Anyway, after reading his post I dug back through my archives and dug out this article I wrote in August 2007.  My advise was good back then and I stand by it today. Maybe it'll help somebody.

First, it's important to remember that Real Estate is a business NOT a job. When you are a business owner your job is to find a way to make things happen. Chasing money is what we do. If you don't have any then your job is to find some. Hopefully it will come from closings. If not? Well here are some ways to generate cash flow.

  • Find a partner. This can be another REALTOR® that wants to team up so you can pool your resources. Or maybe a family member who is willing to back you for a small return on their investment. You can't operate a business without capital. Go find some.
  • Use an equity line or credit cards. Have faith that you are good at what you do and will be able to pay these loans back once you get rolling.
  • * Do some property management.
  • * Do BPOs.
  • *Get a part time job or jobs that leave your days open to practice real estate. I used to wait tables AND drive a taxi. At the same time.

Do whatever you need to do to get capital for your business. With out it. You will fail.

Secondly, get to work. If you are sitting at home or in the office moaning about how bad business is, you will fail. Get off your butt and get to work. Here are some things you can do that don't cost anything but time.

  • Attend every function you can at your Board of REALTORS® to network and gain knowledge.
  • Join an investment club. What better place to meet investors.
  • Utilize ActiveRain and Localism to their full potential.
  • Solicit for listings. Folks, I have on numerous occasions, given you my expired letter and suggested you use it, everyday, for every expired and withdrawn listing. How many of you have? Or is it still on your list of things to do? While you're procrastinating, I took several listings last week, that were all from my letter. And turned down several others. And I'll do the same thing this week, the next week and on and on and on.
  • Hop in your car and go visit some yard sales this weekend. People have yard sales because they are getting ready to place their home on the market. Say "hi" and give them a card. And if you see any FSBOs working in the yard while you are out, stop and strike up a conversation.
  • Visit a few Human Resources departments in your area. See if they will let you hold a Buyer's seminar. Do the same at the library and the community center.
  • Go view the listings in your market area. Leave your card.

Folks, my point is GET BUSY!! Activity creates opportunity. Get into your community and start striking up conversations, passing out cards, passing out flyers and anything else you can think of. Go stand in front of the grocery store and say "hi" to everyone that walks by. Go to the self service gas station and pump gas for others with a big smile on your face and a card in your hand. I've personally done ALL of these things.

So there you have it. A few simple and free things you can do to generate business and cash flow. They aren't difficult. It's just requires attitude and motivation. Success is a decision. Failure is a lack of forward movement. It's your choice. So what's your decision? Are you going to turn your "to do" list into a "job completed" list?

Do you need a new Broker?

Want to find out more? www.TTRealtyNet.com

 

The BIO for Bryant Tutas

Copyright © 2010 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ | All Rights Reserved

 

Posted by

Michael Cantwell

Licensed Mortgage Banker in Florida

My website - www.MichaelCantwellTeam.com

My Mobile # 561-262-5366

Loan Officer - NMLS: 644428
Guild Mortgage NMLS: 3274
Guild Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender – This is not a commitment to lend.
www.MichaelCantwellTeam.com
           

Comments(6)

Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good advice for agents and a good reminder. Thank you for sharing .

Apr 09, 2010 11:12 PM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Good advice - thanks for sharing - I am passing this on to some agents that need to read it!

Apr 09, 2010 11:20 PM
Paul Chavez
Earth Origins Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque Realtor, NM EcoBroker, and General Contractor

Great advise and inspiring post.  Thanks.

Apr 09, 2010 11:25 PM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

I love the photo

Apr 09, 2010 11:33 PM
M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)
NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ
Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Michael, I agree--you have many good tips. However, I disagree with use your credit cards. As you stated, there is so much you can do for free, including neighborhood walk abouts with MLS-just closed fliers. I ardently discourage the use of credit cards and falling for the "...I'll have it paid off in just one sale". In my opinion, doing what it takes can include getting a part-time job that puts you in the public eye. I also recommend reviewing business expenses and chopping the non-productive ones that can be chopped.

Apr 09, 2010 11:53 PM
Noah Levy
Coldwell Banker - Highland Park, IL
Coldwell Banker Highland Park IL

Michael -

Great pointers- work begets work- if you just sit on the sidelines and complain your business will not increase!

Apr 09, 2010 11:59 PM