10 Tips for Inexperienced Real Estate Agents and Loan Officers

One of the things I run into way too often is real estate agents and loans officers that are not only new to the industry, but have no sales or social skills.

There are 10 of the basics:

  1. When a potential client tells you they are working with an agent.  Leave them alone!
  2. A customer walks in or calls your office and asks for a specific agent; do not try to pick them up.  Call their agent and let them know their client came by or called for them.  I have not only seen this abused by inexperienced agents, I have heard many stories of this from other agents in other companies.
  3. Getting a sale is not as important as getting a client.  I am sure many will not get this one.
  4. If we are in escrow, you are not my competitor.  We already have our clients; we will need to work together.
  5. Someone else's open house is not an opportunity to pick up clients.
  6. Referrals are what will keep you in the business for many years.  Poor service does not gain you referrals.
  7. Education is something all professionals get.
  8. If you have to push clients into decisions than you are not providing the right options to them.
  9. Real estate is not a part time hobby.  Either do this as a professional or find another hobby.  You are dealing with huge amounts of money it is not amateur night.
  10. Business does not fall from the sky or grow on trees.  You have to earn it.

For those professionals who take their career in real estate serious, have a wonderful 2008.  For the others, good luck in your next career choice.

 
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Century 21 Network
Post is included in group: ETHICS and the REALTOR
Post is included in group: Out Of The Box!

16 Comments on 10 Tips for Inexperienced Real Estate Agents and Loan Officers

Good advice Randy.  These simple rules make our business a lot easier. 

Agents who work together get to the bank quicker.

01/15/2008 01:01 PM by Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate


Amen brother - see so much of this - it's crazy!!  Hope they will read your blog, newbies sometimes need this advice.

01/15/2008 01:02 PM by Suzanne Gantner, GRI (Sky Realty)


Randy Thanks I am a new RE/MAX  Agent...I was a partimer before with a small firm and a full time loan officer. I have come on full time with RE/MAX and looking forward to a great 2008!

01/15/2008 01:04 PM by Cassie Hansley (Remax Crossroads)


An excellent post Randy. I hope a lot of "hobby" agents read this and let it sink in!

01/15/2008 01:12 PM by Charles Tharp ~ Inland Empire Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist (Prudential California Realty)


Good list Randy. While I am very aggressive in my business practices I always respect my peers and my potential customer/clients. Real Estate is NOT a job it's a career and a business and needs to be treated as such.

01/15/2008 01:16 PM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


This is terrific advice, I couldn't agree more.  Number 2 is a big pet peeve of mine!  Great post.  Have a great 2008!

01/15/2008 01:26 PM by JenRan Realty, LLC


Lenn - Thank you, too true.

Suzanne - There a couple of agents who have been around that could use this advice also.

Cassie - I hope you are doing one and not both.

01/15/2008 01:36 PM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)


Charles - I hope for the client's sake.

Bryant - Absolutely, in the end of the day it is our reputation that determines whether we will be long term successful.

Jennifer - Number 2 is one that seems to be not taught too often to new agents.

01/15/2008 01:41 PM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)


Excellent list.  Simple, to the point, and incredibly relevant.  That list is what separates the professionals from the amateurs.

01/15/2008 03:25 PM by Fairbanks Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton (Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS - 907.699.6024 - )


Jesse and Kathy - A couple of the points came up in the last week.  I felt compelled to post it.

01/15/2008 03:28 PM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)


Hey Randy! Happy New Year! Thanks for the card. My daughter was most impressed. She wants to know if we can go visit my friend in Hawaii:)

Your 10 Tips for the Inexperienced will, without a doubt, hit a chord with some experienced agents also.

The issues you address are the problem we have with opportunists in our business, they are more concerned with making a commission than providing a service in a professional manner.

As the market adjusts, many of these "agents' will be gone. YOU GO AGENT!!!

Sales are good in Wisconsin (In my world anyway) and life can not get much better, Packers in the NFC Championship, one Giuliani away from the Superbowl!

Go Pack!!

01/15/2008 08:30 PM by Dan Gobis (Re/Max Preferred)


Dan - Hopefully you and your family will make it out here on a vacation.

Hopefully the opportunist will find an opportunity elsewhere.

I am cheering for the Packers.  I love The Bears, but since they are out I really want to see Brett get one more.

 

01/16/2008 12:10 AM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)


Good post--should be on the wall next to every office's agent mailboxes.  Not just for new agents either!

01/16/2008 12:13 AM by Kent Simpson REALTOR®, e-Certified®, AHS® (with The Pepper Group™ Diversified Real Estate)


Kent - Thank you, I think I will share it with my office.

01/16/2008 12:36 AM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)


Randy,

This is the second post I have read from you today....and I think both are great.

I can tell by your post ETHICS and HARD WORK mean everything to you.....you are my kind of person.....continued success!

01/16/2008 08:40 AM by Dan Brudnok - ePRO, ABR, CSP - Chester County, PA Real Estate Pro (Keller Williams - Exton - PA License Number #RS225179L )


Dan - I had conversations with two different people of similar topics yesterday which stimulated me to write these posts.  Some folks just don't seem to get it.

01/16/2008 08:53 AM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)


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Real Estate Agent: Randy L. Prothero  - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)
Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR®
Mililani, HI
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