Real Estate Agents Don't Want Real Jobs

Oh Susan, I just read your message ... I have a graduate degree in Psychology ... and I do like helping people, but I don't like seeing some of the behavior of some of the realtors I have witnessed.   Those of us who have had self-directed professionals and/or owned our own successful businesses make the transition to real estate with ease.

Unfortunately, those who become desperate during difficult economic times give the rest of us a bad reputation.

if people get into real estate because they think it will be an easy job and they will do good deeds helping people, they are in for an awakening.  It takes a certain breed of talent to survive the market and be a skilled negotiator.  An agent also has to know how to market themselves, if you want to help people you have to first have people calling you to help!

It is sometimes frustrating, the way agents are perceived. I have had many friends ask how seriously I take my job, and its insulting. I don't drink Pina Coladas on the beach, I work my butt off.

The point Fay bring up is interesting. I am from California, and the test is nothing close to easy. Passing on your first time is less then 25%, and it really has nothing to do with Real Estate. What I would like to see is basic writing requirements, and a contract writing class being required. I can not tell you how many times, I have received an offer, and had to ask the other agent to redo something. As far as requiring a college degree..I think its a little much.

The agents that really boil my blood, are the agents who hire assistants to do everything. You know the type...their listing information is something along the lines of "3 bedroom, 2 bath house on a quiet street." Their name is on everything, but you can never get a hold of them, but for some reason, they have 40 listings!!

Andrew Mendez

I don't try to convince prospective clients that I am a great realtor and they should employ me.  My past testimonials and referrals from past clients will speak to that.

I love the diversity of the agents in this business.  And, I love being able to cull all of my skills and apply them to the real estate profession.   I serve my clients with the highest level of professionalism; "flake" is not an option.

Scott....I like your take on this.  Part of what I like is working with people directly and helping them but it does take so much more than that.  Like two of the other commenters, I come from another profession that merges well with real estate.

Good morning, Scott....I came from a teaching career.....I made $7,200/year teaching in 1972.... in my first year in real estate, I made $40+k in 1978....I jumped on that wheel and never jumped off....

Scott - until I worked with Realtors doing home staging job, I never realized how hard they work and all the hours they put in. Since then I have so much respect for what they do. Weekends, nights - I wouldn't call that an easy job.

Will, we can't control what others think of the entire industry, but we can control how we present ourselves...I know I have a great deal of education, left a corporate job paying 300K/year to go into real estate!

I believe that the "difference" is that the succesful realtors are very organized, driven and motivated but that the entry into the profession is simply too easy and that many folks without those qualities "get in" the business.  They survive just long enough to perpetuate the stereotype that you describe before they fade away and are replaced by another "soon to fade."

Scott, This is one of the few jobs that I could possibly do and still maintain a full time day job.  The flexibility of the hours, etc. are critical, but that said, I'm only in this because Liz chose real estate as her full time job in 2002.  It was a practical decision that for her to be successful it was going to take two of us to do it.  We each bring unique skills sets to the equation.  And anyone that tells me that Liz can't be a great agent just because she doesn't have a college degree?  Well, I'm going to have to strongly disagree.  Sitting in classrooms day after day means you have the financial means, but means nothing in regards to customer service or capability to perform the job properly.  Bill the Engineer/REALTOR(R)

Scott, if you ask 10 Realtors WHY they do this, you may get several answers!     I worked for corporate America for 20 years, they dictated how much I could make, no matter how hard I worked!     Here, I AM accountable, and no one can put a limit on how much I can make!     There is nothing better than sitting at a closing table with HAPPY buyers and/or sellers!

Lots of people means lots of perspectives...  I left the Corporate J-O-B as well.  Yes, I left the "management track" to become a real estate agent.  My reason - done with the 80% travel around and across the country to see people that really did not care about me at all only what I could do for them.  I also left because there were many at the higher levels in my corporation that just had a passion for themselves versus the job at hand or the people under their direction.  On top of that, I have a younger child that  felt it was important to see grow up. 

That said, I can say that it was a stressful and economically crazy choice at the time.  However, I look at things now (3 years later) and find that I am doing better than all but my very best years in the corporate world financially.  The key to success is pretty simple - Dedication, Drive and Desire.  Lots of agents that i still see are missing the 1st two D's...  All the more business for me though.  And, I see my child more than ever!!

Scott, this is an excellent post! It is a great reminder that the way we structure our business and the way we conduct ourselves with our clients and other Realtors is the way they will perceive us, and our profession. I came from a management consulting background. Just as an example, we had a guideline that you dressed "one step better" than your clients. In real estate, I always try to dress nicely and in business attire. I get a lot of compliments about that. Sometimes I am surprised when I see other agents in jeans, shorts or t-shirts looking like they're ready for a day at the beach or a picnic. How you dress relays a sense of professionalism and the way you see yourself in your job. Of course, clothes are not the only way we convey our professionalism. How quickly we call people back, whether we have the information they need, whether we are too glib or joke around inappropriately, whether we do what we say we will do...and on and on!

The other day I had an attorney (from the seller's side of the transaction) tell me she couldn't believe she was wasting her time talking to me. It's a great job but too bad it doesn't garner more respect.

There are different types of agents... those that are in it for the money and are not professional and those that are professional that make good money. The fact is, that only the good real estate agents that are true professional (not the ones that are 'professionally dressed') will be around for years. They will also get the benefit of the money and the flexible hours. This market does not allow the 'fake it until you make it' attitude that some agents have had in the past.

Scott, like many of those who have commented before me, I came from corporate America and I often find myself working twice as hard in real estate as I did with my desk job in the corner office.  Real estate is hard work and I no longer try to hide how hard I work from my clients.  Instead, I do my best to let them see me working hard.  As for those who think real estate agents are not educated, I have an MBA and I am 5 classes and a dissertation shy of my PhD.  Anyone who thinks real estate agents are uneducated ... can just kick rocks! :-)

Good questions Scott.  I think for many, especially women, one of the most attractive feature of real estate is flexiblity of calendar and where they work.  Or, at least this is the ingoing perception.  we all know clients are demanding so you need to work around their scheduleds, too.

It's Bosses Day and I can honestly say "I Love my Boss-ME!!" No, this is not as easy as sitting in an office shuffling paperwork for 8 hours.  But, it's a lot more rewarding and I enjoy helping people as a huge fringe benefit!