Special offer

This Realtor Gig is Hard Work!

By
Real Estate Agent with KB Home Bre # 01424127

This Realtor Gig is hard work!

(but I love it) and the more I learn the more I understand the effort required. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining but I may have entered the resale industry blithely with no real understanding of the demands placed upon the individual particularly if you wish to excel in this business.

This year one of my goals was to learn and master the skills needed to become the community expert (more easily said then done.) In pursuit of this goal I have been assisted by a coach, a mentor, other Realtors and the Active Rain community. While traversing this path I have learned much but have come to realize how much more there is to learn. As one coach states, "you don't know what you don't know."bee on white flower

There is an old adage that states anything worth doing is worth doing well, which means it may not come easily and usually requires hard work, definitely true of real estate!

Following are some of the pertinent facts I have gathered in my pursuit of community expertise:

The power of listings. They are a tool which can be leveraged to generate additional business (big caveat - the listing must be sellable!) In my enthusiasm to garner listings I accepted almost everything that came my way. Short sales, overpriced sales, I even dabbled with an investor flip (highly not recommended for the uninformed, this is an area of expertise all by itself.) With hindsight I can see I created tons of extra work - negotiating a short sale with three lenders, visiting and revisiting the sellers asking for price reductions and the flip (wow) the things I did not know about lending requirements almost caused us to loose the deal entirely, but that's another story.

I learned to view listings in three stages. Pre-listing, during and after. Procuring the listing is prefaced by creating a pre-listing packet and previewing every home in the neighborhood in order to create the most compelling CMA. Marketing and negotiating are critical areas which must be mastered in this age of Internet visibility.

Balancing listings with Buyers which requires a different skill set of consulting and locating the perfect home. It requires hours of research.

Prospecting - enough said! We all know it must be done daily to keep the pipeline full.

Timeblocking and discipline can be an agents greatest enemy or become a most valuable skill. Hours of previewing homes, studying the market and constantly analyzing the MLS are the basic blocks for building expertise in a community.

Continuous education within the office, at the Realtor boards, expo's, conferences or webinars keeps you informed about on-going changes in the industry. I was advised to attend an education event weekly. The industry is moving so rapidly that if you do not want to be left behind this is another important aspect of a real estate career.

Finally learn to trust in yourself, be authentic and confident in your own talents. Each of us is an individual with unique talents. Developing your natural skills allows one to build upon a foundation of strength. Bringing an individuality to your business.

This is not a career for the faint of heart. It requires dedication, skill, education and much, much more. This is hard work but I love it!


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Riverside, Ca

give me a call or text - I would love to assist you!

Posted by

 

If you are considering  buying or selling new construction in the Inland Empire ~ Give me call or email me 

Cause We Like Em' New!

 

Kristal Wilson                                           

cell: 951- 288-7079

Shoot for the moon & if you miss you'll be among the stars

 

 

Comments (44)

Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Kristal, your statement "you don't know what you don't know" is very true. It's not until we really dig in and start working do we find out what we don't know. Great post and congratulations on the feature!

Jul 28, 2011 05:19 PM
Jennifer Wyatt
Keller Williams - Kingsport, TN
"Don't make a move without me!"

This is truly a business that gives you just as much as you are willing to put into it.  I guess that is the part that I love the most.  You are correct in your words about the hard work, long hours and dedication it takes! I hope you have a very successful career!  Keep working hard!  It will be so worth the effort!

Jul 28, 2011 05:46 PM
Rosalie Evans
Meritus Group Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD
The Evans Group, Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale

It is alot of work but yet at the same time it is fun and challenging! No two days are ever the same and I love all of the people you get to meet! 

Jul 28, 2011 06:10 PM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

It is alot of work but it is worth it.  We can make a great deal of money.

Jul 28, 2011 07:40 PM
Irina Netchaev
Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA
Pasadena CA Real Estate
It's amazing how many hats we need to wear as realtors. Let's add in the photography, marketing, design, blogging. The list goes on and on.
Jul 28, 2011 07:46 PM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Kristal, you have a great way of expressing all this and your enthusiasm for it still comes through. Congrats on the feature, you're doing great!

Jul 28, 2011 09:07 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Excellent, Kristal. I think a lot of us could relate to some of those early listings.  Oy vey!  Congratulations on your feature, and congratulations on figuring this out!!

Jul 28, 2011 09:42 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
The amount of time required to process a listing properly through all the new tools and systems has exploded to the point that overpriced listings are absolutely not possible to accept to run a business.
Jul 29, 2011 12:32 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Great post, congratulations on your feature! And you did figure it out....

Jul 29, 2011 12:32 AM
Surprise Arizona Realtor Jim Braun Sun City Grand Active Adult Communities
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az - Surprise, AZ
Surprise AZ real estate Phoenix West Valley

Kristal: It is very hard work to be successful. The flip side, it is also very rewarding in so many ways. Thanks for a excellent post!

Jul 29, 2011 12:44 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Kristal, sounds like you have some good coaching and mentoring. You're on the right track for becoming a success in this business.

Jul 29, 2011 01:33 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

It is indeed hard work but you can call your own shots and make your own hours! Great advantages!

Jul 29, 2011 03:33 AM
Daniel Rogers
Final Analysis Home Inspections - Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach Home Inspector

Great honest post. No disrespect, but it's more than just a "gig". Sounds like you've figured that out and are on top of things. Congrats on not giving up.

Jul 29, 2011 03:44 AM
John Davison
Coldwell Banker - Cary, NC
Raleigh-Cary-Triangle NC

Perseverance is a necessity.  This is truly not for everyone.  You have to do what you love to love what you do.  Good luck.  Stick with it and you'll do great!

Jul 29, 2011 04:35 AM
James Sanson
REAL Broker, LLC - Tempe, AZ
REALTOR®

Only do real estate if you love it and do it fully time with all of your passion, and if not honestly get out while your resume is still solid.

Jul 29, 2011 08:23 AM
Andi Grant
310-508-4354 | FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealEstate.com - Los Angeles, CA
Helping 1st time buyers and home sellers in LA!

I think many have a skewed view of this industry based on nonsensical staged shows they see on HGTV and the likes.  If only we could show 3 homes and have them decide from one, or "design to sell" a listing and get an offer the same day of the big reveal and open house.  It's hard work and definitely for the lion of heart.

Jul 29, 2011 09:07 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Kristal,

LOL! So many people think it's a no brainer to be in Real Estate! If only our clients could stand in our shoes for a day! Great post. You are now on my subscribed list. ;-) Deb

Jul 29, 2011 10:19 AM
Kristal Wilson
KB Home - Fontana, CA
Cause We Like 'Em New ~ New Home Specialist!

Karen ~ it's on-going learning. There are changes every month.

Joan ~ long hours, hard work, but sometimes great fun!

Kristi ~ when it all comes together it's great!

Kathleen ~ I'm learning the "work smart" part.

Irina ~ and the list goes on & on....

Mike ~ I'll second that "oy vey."

Barbara ~ I love being my own boss but noone else to blame if things go wrong.

Andi ~ I love the HGTV but it seems my buyers don't understand the 3 showing rule. ;-)

Deb ~ I now wear flat shoes everyday (oy vey) & thanks.

Jul 29, 2011 12:22 PM
Sarasota & Manatee Counties FL
SaraMana Properties - QuickFreeMLS.com - Bradenton, FL
QuickFreeMLS.com - Listings In Paradise

You sure do have that right! Thank you for sharing your post with us!

Jul 29, 2011 06:47 PM
Mary Macy
Top Agents Atlanta Metro - Roswell, GA
Top Agents Atlanta Metro

It is challenging, but it is also thrilling to be on the edge of your seat daily in the drama of true life, better than any soap opera or TV drama.  Real Life if you are up to it.

Jul 30, 2011 04:11 PM