Great advice, the schooling is just short, it only gives a license to learn!!!

Amen!  We really really really need a required apprenticeship period in this industry.

Randy, I couldn't agree more. All new agents need to seek out training and assistance. Get a few deals under your belt before you go it alone. It will save you a lot of time, effort and mistakes.

Randy, this is an outstanding post.  I clearly remember how lost I felt my first year, and that was with a "training agent" to ask questions.  It's such a huge responsibility we're taking on - the classes we take for our license don't come close to what to expect  on a daily basis.

Randy, great post. If you can find an office that gives training that would be great. I had to fall a couple of times before I started taking classes. 75 hours gives you a license, education gives you a livelihood.

Randy - Good advice. One thing about getting a real estate license....even though you have a license you don't really know how to sell anything!

Oh yeah - great thoughts, but in smaller communities the extra training is difficult to come by with 2 or 3 persons in the office.  Thank goodness for AR

Much of what you recommend should be made into law. When I was a new agent, my wife had been active for several years so I didn't need to affiliate with a coach, but we had 2 different MLS. She had no experience in the other, so for the first 2 listings I did team with a coach. 50% is cheaper than a lawyer any day.

Debra - In our state the pre-licensing school on teaches how to get a license, how to keep a license and some general real estate knowledge.

Leigh - I think it is required if you want to succeed.

B.B. - So true

Randy - I'm a new agent (a little over a year) and if I had stayed with my first brokerage I would have gone under, and fast! Yes, they had some training classes, but no support afterwards.

When I got my first contract my team leader was no where to be found. She was always out recruiting or in her office with a sign on the door saying Do Not Disturb. I asked 3 top producers what to put where and got 3 different answers.

I finally put the thing together as best I could and submitted it. The listing agent from a totally different agency called me and asked me if it would offend me if she went over this with me. I hadn't protected my buyer at all. I think it's a shame when someone from a different  broker has to take you under their wing and teach you! I will be forever grateful to her and have told her that since.

You don't come out of school knowing anything other than how to pass the test. We do need mentoring!

Kris - I got my license back in the early 1980s.  My first day on the job they put me on floor duty in Waikiki, with no other agent there.  I was clueless.  The liability that broker took on was insane, not to mention me.  When I re-entered the business a few years ago, I had training as a huge part of my business plan.

Maria - Very well put.

Gary - You are so right, a license by itself does not qualify you for anything.

Joan - Than it is even more important to take training through the Board of Realtors.  After taking an orientation classes offered, the GRI series is a great place to start.

Jim - Amen to that.  50% is much cheaper than a lawyer.

Linda - Thank you for sharing your experience.  It is more common than most would like to admit.

Randy - a great broker and a great company are so important - thanks for sharing