Do You Help New Agents?

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Do You Help New Agents?

Over the last couple of years I have built somewhat of a reputation in my office for assisting new and inexperienced agents.

Many times new agents just get the cold shoulder from the full timers. They just see them as another mouth feeding at their trough.

I look at them differently. I see them as an opportunity and a possible nightmare. I hope that with the help of our brokers and caring experienced agents they will become opportunities. Blackboard

To start with they will be hitting the streets representing our office. What type of reputation do you want them spreading? They will also at some point possibly be on the other side of a transaction or two with me. I hope to make it a pleasant experience and not a nightmare. My E&O insurance can also be negatively affected by them if they mess up.

Now for the opportunity:

As they are getting started they will be a great resource for holding my listings open. I want them to be professionals before they go near any of my clients or business.
As they start out many times they will want to team up with an experienced agent to help them do their first few transactions. I am always available for that.
One of them may turn out to be a great candidate for an assistant. Taking them under your wing is a great way to test them.

The next time you see a new agent walk in join your office you can see them as a problem or an opportunity. It is your choice.

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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Century 21 Liberty Homes

Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.

Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.

www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations

Posted by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (808) 384-5645 on 12/31/2006 04:27 PM

Comments (80)

real estate, agents, training, hawaii, mililani, century 21

Originally posted at: Hawaii Randy's Real Estate Opinions: Do You Help New Agents?

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80 Comments on Do You Help New Agents?

DEC

2006

I teach the Illinois pre-license and continuing education classes. I see them in alls izes, shapes and capabilities. After 30 years, I still see those "seasoned agents" who appear to have one year of practise a multiple of times.

B-I-N-G-O B-I-N-G-O AND BINGO WAS HIS NAME-O

I love to help. The statistics of a newbie leaving the business are more often than not. They will see you as caring, patient, giving and kind. What a beautiful way to get referrals!

I will always help new agents when needed. I had help when I started, and everyone should get a fair shot!

Randy this is fabulous as usual I love what you are driven to write about. I'm going to add your link into Monika's post about NAR today. I was the beneficiary of much learning when I was a newbie; tons of help from Realtors® in my office, but also from long standing Realtors® with whom I shared my first deals. It's a win win situation to help out other agents. I look at it this way too; there is always so much to learn on a daily basis, each deal is different in it's own way. Sometimes I will have an experience to aid the deal and sometimes it's the Realtor® on the other side. We all can't automatically know everything and so when we teach and help each other it makes us all better professionals. This does not make me a pollyanna; it makes me want to make a lot of money because we are all professionals instead of flounderers.

Happy New Year Randy!

David - There are many people coming and going in our industry. Each office needs to do a good job of interviewing and supporting.

Renee - Good point, they will have a working relationship with you established.

Jennifer - Well said. I drew up a contract for two new agents yesterday and went over it with their clients for the signing. They were so surprised and grateful I would do that for them. When I started another great agent did the very same thing for me.

I agree Randy. Do unto others as you would have do unto you. You're right. Most realtors forget that these newbies represent our office. Therefore we should give all we can to help them out.

Right on! The first company I was with was large and many of the seasoned agents had absolutely no time for those of us that were new. Luckily I was able to latch on to a couple of agents that were willing to show me the ropes, but many others crashed & burned.

Luckily I'm at a company now where I can go to almost anyone and get opinions or ideas on how to approach a problem situation. It means so much to be part of an inclusive group regardless of how long you've been in the business.

Here's a little story for you: I befriended a new agent about 2 years ago. I was very willing to help her in the very beginning. Well, she happened to do very well in her first year. In fact so well, that she ended up quitting because she lost so much time with her young children. Now guess who gets referrals from her... I do! That's karma.

Anthony Clark, Tulsa, Oklahoma

http://TulsaMetroRealtor.com

Gary - You sure don't want bad agents passing cards with your companies name on it.

Anthony- Great example of how by treating people right referrals will come.

"Hi Randy"

Well you have to know how I feel about this. :)

If we don't help new agents our industry is screwed. (That was a little harsh, but also very true)

We have had several agents working for us in the past. I fired one of them for lifting up her mini skirt to show a Buyer her 'body piercing'. Yah. I know pretty crude coming from a lady. :)

We have just hired another agent with the hopes that she is going to allow herself to be trained. If you can't train them it's best to get rid of them. I wish all Brokers would train their agents. It sure would help us all a lot.

P.S. The crude lady moved away and now deals cards at a Casino. Much better job for her. SVW.

Renee, I told you I wasn't gonna be too serious tonight. I bet you like the crude lady story. :) That is also very true.

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Don't You Ask Me What SVW Is Again. LOL. ROAR!

Randy great post!!! I can't even begin to tell you how many fellow agents have helped me along the way and I have always tried to give back some of what I got. Helping new agents is a great way to do that for me.

If you get a chance read my blog on Why I'm a REALTOR

Happy New Year!

TLW - The lifting skirt may bring her more business. Probably not real estate though. That was probably more crude that your story.

Monika - I feel exactly the same as you. I am going to read your post now.

Randy...How did you make that graphic?? Please tell me....pretty please...

Good job Randy, If we can help new agents that only helps the industry in general. Monika and I have been in the business so long that a few of our competitors will call us for advice before they even talk to their broker or manager. That is something we are proud of.

Mahalo and Happy New Year!

Thanks Jay

Monika - A ten year old version of Printshop.

Jay - I also get calls from Realtor friends from other companies. It is good to be able to bounce things off others.

Indeed. It's hard getting started in this business. When you help new agents, it usually means future help for you.

Lenn

Great post Randy. I had to do a little bit of trial and error with a few realtors to see who I could get the "right" answer from There were several agents that had a wealth of years behind their license but as it turns out, they didn't know the right answers. Now I know who I can count on! You may know one of the guys. He sits right next to the copy machine in our office :)

Lenn - I have found that to be true.

David - Thanks for the kind words. See you next year.

Carole - I am sorry our responses must have crossed. Thank you for the link. I am always learning. It is great having a network of top agents that you can help each other. I got a lot of support when I started and feel it is important to do the same for others.

Sharing your talents and time is a big part of giving back, whether it is teaching at the office or sharing at a seminar everyone even beginners have ideas that can help. Mentoring is a great opportunity for all.

Hey Randy, Good stuff. I love helping new Realtors. The more educated they become the easier my job is in the future.

Teri - That is a good point, you also learn from the new agents.

Bryant - My worst nightmare is having to be in a transaction with a bad agent. Education is good for all of us.

I help new agents. When I started no one would help me. After a couple of years in the business I started offering to help new agents with their first P.A., I would talk them through it as their first buyer waited in the next room. I told them that if they could find a buyer and a house for that buyer that they were amazing and that I would make sure the first purcahse agreement went smoothly.

Teresa - That is really great of you. Your experience when you started is what a good office should avoid.

I always try to offer advice to new people....and if they listen, I help even more. If they ignore me, I have no time for them. I've discovered that if you're kind to people and they DON'T make it in the business, they can become a referral source down the road. More of an example of giving begets receiving. Happy new year, friend!

Oh Randy...can you make me one??? But with a woman and working with Monika (with a K not a C) on it???

I don't know how to do that stuff!!!

Randy- I bet you are a pleasure to work with!!

Leigh - I do make an exception if I feel they are wasting my time or do not appear to be ethical.

Monika - I am having trouble finding a good graphic of a woman that would be appropriate. I got the guy cut out, so I will send it to you and continue to look for a lady to add in.

Shari - I really try to be. Life is short and we should enjoy what we do. Thank you.

I love you Randy!!!! You are the best!

i always helped the new loan officers at my old place.... rarely got any compensation (free lunch or even a thank you)

glad my new place doesnt have any newbies

Monika - I made a new one with your picture from the website. It's not professional, I hope you like it.

Tom - We have a steady flow of newbies. I think without them at some point it costs all of us. The overhead needs to be paid and some experienced agents move on from time to time.

Kudos to you.

Before I left Keller Williams Realty, I spent alot of time helping new agents understand the basics.

Now I am with a Brokerage with less new agents so I get to spend less time at it.

Thanks for making real estate a better profession for all of us!!!

David - Thank you for the kind words. The fact you are not afraid to share with others is the sign of a strong agent.

Randy, this is just well thought out and very well written. This should be a must read for all agents. You hit the nail right on the head.

Yo Randy,

Always love helping the new guys and my broker has me train regularly. The more I help, the more likely they will help me with showings and watch my listings when I'm on vacation too! I received great mentoring... still do, so it's the culture of our brokerage.

Jeff - Thank you Jeff. We were all new agents at one time.

Eric - Sounds like a great brokerage.

Randy, I'm glad to see that there are others out there willing to help the newbie. As a new office, I find myself helping the new agents much more than I have time to. But how can we sit by and see them leave as fast as they came. Thanks for the reminder.

Randy I agree with you and I too like to help whenever I can, we all had to start somewhere so many times the new agents are seen as competition and not as representing our office we need to remember that what ever mistakes they make they are representing the entire industry and what they do reflects on all of us, so we all should be willing to lend a helping hand.

Kay - The support and training is wait not only helps them be successful, but stay with your company.

Dorinda - Their cards have the same company name and that hurts everyone in the office when someone messes up in the market. As a whole a lot of people have bad feelings about Realtors because of a few agents doing a bad job.

I am new to the real estate business myself one year, I needed help when I first started and most of the help came from online forums and some great agents across the US, When a new agent comes to the office I offer help where I can

Daniel - Very commendable of you. I made a point of getting all the training I could and sought out information. Since joining Active Rain, I have gotten a lot of great information and ideas from the professionals here.

I always help new agents. I also help old agents. I prefer to help those that help themselves.

KK - I someone is not going to show some determination I stop helping them. At a certain point it some folks should consider another career.

Randy, as always a great post. Helping others get started will come back to pay you in many ways that will be worth more than money.

Happy New Year!!! And I hope that 2007 is a prosperous and Blessed year for you and your family.

Every year, a group of us select three new agents to assist, free of charge. I'm always amazed at the number of agents that don't have a business or marketing plan. We also help with branding, etc.

George - Thank you, I hope you have a wonderful and prosperous 2007.

Carolyn - You hit on a big one. No business, no success!

JAN

2007

I've taught the new agent classes as well and truly enjoy helping them. I was new once too, and your point about them representing your office is SO true!!!

Great post, Randy. Wish there were more like you. I fortunately had a broker who mentored me when I first started, and although it has only been a few years I have been able to help several other new licensees in the manner that I was helped. Keep up the good work!

Chris - I am sure that teaching those classes benefited you also.

Jeff - It is great you are giving back. That is the type of thing that makes or business a great occupation to be in.

Randy,

Thanks for the post. It is always a good idea to lend a helping hand for all of the reasons you've outlined. Fortunately, we have this type of culture within our office, in addition to a nine week in-house training program.

Randy you got it right! helping new agents is a win/win situation; if they perform badly it would be a reflection on the company and as you mentioned they can be a resource. Most important it is right to extend a helping hand.

As an agent and not a Broker or Broker/Owner I wish that office managers and or owners would be available to train new agents. I am not so sure that for an agent to do any trianing is a good idea, some agents train newbies to do the wrong thing and then the Manager/Broker is responsible for what is taught. Randy I don't know if you are the Broker or not. During the past few years with tremendous numbers of new agents coming into the business and with very agents willing to help newbies, at least in my area, it can become a profession unto it's self with no time left for my own business. I wasn't helped when I started, I was ostracied and actually told the wrong thing by a very unpleasant older agent. It was very difficult and no I don't wish that on anyone but I don't think it is the role of one agent to train another we neither get paid for the effort and mostly don't even get thanked.

Randy,

Well written and thoughtful post. Its people like you that will make this Industry rise in the future. We cannot complain about new agents if we don't help them. I am still looking for help and even agents in the business for years and years need help keeping up with technology and changes in the Industry.

I am a broker/salesperson, and basically the office manager, so yes, I help the new agents. I do all the training and try hard to remember what I felt like writing the first few contracts and on my first showing. My broker was great and was with me (basically doing it for me, I was so nervous), and I learned a lot. I hope to impart some knowledge and mostly, comfort, to new agents as I teach them. I let them tell me just what they feel they need help with the most.... I hear all the time from agents who passed the licensing course/test then signed on with a broker who hands them a phine book and says "get me listings." The newbies are left without a clue and nobody to help them. If we all take a little more responsibility for helping other agents learn, we will not have many incompetant agents to be complaining about!

New agents typically get off to a satisfactory start but hit a plateau and oftentimes find themselves floundering by not knowing how to get their production to the next level. We, as professionals, owe a certain level of care and consideration to help newbies along. Plus, it can often be a very rewarding and long lasting relationship. Many agents have found superb team members by extending a warm welcome to new agents. Thanks for a thought provoking post.

Randy, great article and I couldn't agree more. It's the same in the mortgage end. Some LO's shun and some help. I know this, I learn as much or more when I teach than the student does! It's a great way to keep my knowledge fresh.

Randy - Great post! Helping new agents helps both them and you. I find that "teaching" helps me "learn" and helps me improve!

Hi Randy,

Great post, I think by helping others you can improve your own life at work, by teaching new agents you are helping yourself, you never know who is going to be on the other side of the transaction. It may be a new agent that you have taken the time to teach one thing or two.

By helping the new agetn you are building a relationship that can help you in the future. I have trained 25 loans officers in the last 10 years. 4 own their own compnaies and we have a good relationship. Would I rather have them with me...yes, but I do stuill have their respect.

Excellent Post.

William - In house training is especially good for agents with no experience. No all offices are big enough to do that. Our office depends on helping each other mixed with tutoring from the broker.

Jennifer - You said it wonderfully. They can undo a lot of good will that it took years to create.

Mariam - I do have a broker's license. I am operating as a broker/ agent managing my own clients only. I am sorry to hear of your experience. Mine has been quite different. My office has always been a supportive place for new agents. We are small and pay a higher than normal split, agents are expected to use that to pay for formal training through the Board, etc. since we do not offer formal training. Our model is not right for everyone. It was ideal for me.

Karen - You hit on a good point, a lot of experienced agents also need help. Technology is a blind spot for many.

Amber - You have a great attitude. I wish more offices had someone like you. I would run into a lot less unprepared agents in the field.

Diane - Marketing training is heavily done by some of the area offices. They seem to drop the ball is ethics and fundamentals like contract writing. Bringing a new agent in a team is a wonderful way for them to learn the business while making money for themselves and others.

Mark - Absolutely, I never stop learning and many times new agents bring a fresh perspective from where ever they came from or you just learn stuff by looking things up to answer tough questions.

Randy - Great post. I believe very much in good karma and that is exactly what this is. There is no point in turning a cold shoulder to new agents. Embrace them and help them as much as you can. If you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, then you should be confident that they aren't going to take any of your business. I find that usually the best agents in the office are the ones willing to help (assuming they have some spare time).

We actually have a training manager in our office, but sometimes he is unavailable and obviously he can't help everybody all the time.

Tony - I can tell by your posts that are very involved in the process. I am hoping to meet you the end of the month in Las Vegas. I will be finalizing my plans today or tomorrow.

Blanca - I have had several transactions where the agent on the other side was someone I helped train or helped me when I started. I have also done several co-listings and shared a buyer with one of those agents. It is all good.

John - Agents come and go. Some will stay and some will leave. Many times if they were treated well, they return when they find the grass isn't greener. Always leave the door open and keep a friendly relationship.

Brett - Really good agents are never threatened by anyone else. I will always make money based on what I do. If the other agents in my office are successful i am happy for them.

Randy,

I like the way you think! My experience being a "newbie" wasn't all that you described but I was hoping that it would be. I teamed up with a 'seasoned agent' who was going to help me learn the ropes --- what I learned was more valuable than $$. Hopefully, as I become more 'seasoned' I will take on some of your attributes.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

Joanne - Good luck, I am sure you will be successful. A good attitude is the best start.

Helping others just comes natural to me. I've had couple agents in my advertising and whenever I get a customer thats generated from that advertising, I will share it with the new agent.

Netta - That is a really great of you. You are building relationships that will last for years.

JAN

2007

I have been very fortunate as a broker to have experienced agent who are willing to help the newbies. That's only smart. In addition to open houses, they could be training a valuable assistant for their team.

Kathy - Great points. In our office we have to 2-agent teams, otherwise we are a bunch of individual agents. If things works out I may be the first to actually hire an assistant.

MAR

2007

Well, I think a few of us in the office help new agents. They come and go though......and I have learned that it helps me to help others....so if they happen to stay they have learned enough from the few of us to understand that "our" way is through ethics first.

Celeste - You have been one of those that has always gone out of your way to help the new agents. Welcome to Active Rain!!

MAR

2007

Thank you for this post. I'm one of those new agents that found a kind soul in our office to let me latch on to her and learn some of the ropes. I'm not quite in the position to help people yet - I'm still pretty green, but once I get comfortable with the groove of things, I'm planning on helping out the new guy too!

Kelly - Even as a newer agent, you will be amazed how many simple things that you know will make another agents life so much easier.

MAY

2007

I missed this one first time around Randy. Great outlook on how to treat new agents. It wasn't that long ago that I was new, so for me it's still easy to want to help out, but you make some great points!

Ryan - Anything a new agent does will reflect on everyone in your office. We all have a vested interest in being sure that those who are in our office are all professionals.

I always like to help out new agents. I remember not so long ago I was a new agent and had a wonderful top producer in my office take me under her wings. She was able to let me handle a few of her transactions with her guidance. This allowed me to network with other agents, hold open houses, and potentially grab clients of my own. It was extremely helpful and I will always remember that.

Bill - It is great, that you had a quality agent like that in your office. Too many times I hear from new agents how they were left on their own and had terrible results and made a few bad mistakes that could have been avoided.

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Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (808) 384-5645

Mililani, HI

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Century 21 Liberty Homes

Address: 95-221 Kipapa Dr., E3, Mililani, HI, 96789

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