I recently read a blog that inspired me to write one of my own. This blog was discussing how the"public"sees REALTORS / Agents.... According to this blog public perception of our industry is very low. I have been fortunate not to have really had any bad experiences with clients. Maybe it's my approach to real estate, maybe I am just really lucky...
In this blog they discussed better education, internships, mentoring programs and more. I really have to agree with them. If these things had been available when I started it would have made my life so much easier. I also can recall several students who were in class with me that said they were only getting their license so they could represent them selves in future home purchases (to save the commission)... A lot of effort and money for nothing if you ask me.... TRAINING, is lacking in our industry. Training an agent how to best protect their client, how to educate their client, and so on...
When I was in my former life... :) One of the programs I set up was a mentoring program for new supervisors / managers. It never surprised me when an employee would be promoted, only to be demoted or worse, fired a few month later for non performance.... Just because you understand the industry your in does not mean you can lead a department to success. In short don't set people up to fail, give them knowledge, and the tools to do their job.
Appraisers have to do an internship for 18 months (I think) before they can get their license. Just think if they didn't, what would home values look like.... There are so many jobs / careers out their that require an internship. Book learning and real life are not the same thing. We are assisting our clients in a very emotional sale / purchase, with a lot of possible pit falls, why do we think that 90 credit hours qualifies us to be a REALTOR / Agent??? To assist a person / family in what could be one of the biggest decisions in their lives. They expect us, as professionals in the field of Real Estate, to know what we are doing, to guide and protect them, to make sure they receive the best possible out come we can help them with... I don't know about you, but If I need to go to a "professional" for assistance and I find out at the last minute that the only qualifications they have are a few hours of schooling and a test... well I will let your imagination take it form there...
I will be honest, I am a fairly new agent (2yrs). I have, unlike most, had the benefit of family that has been in the business for years, and an incredible broker that has really been there for me. I know I am lucky and that most new agents do not have the kind of support I have had. That being said I still believe in required mentoring and / or internship programs...
What are your views...
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