What is a good background to become a Realtor?

I think any job that allows you to work with, and meet, a lot of new people.  Because good people skills is what it is all about.

I think a good background has a lot to do with personality traits, and not necessarily just work experience.  I think you need to have excellent people skills, honesty, integrity, etc.

I looked at being a Realtor when I was 19.  The cost involved did not allow it.  I ended up working for the next 15 years in various Tech jobs.  When I started Tech I was working to directly support Mainframe HArdware and applications.  I then went to on to work for a small helpdesk.  I then moved to a new city and worked with a National Bank to work with there help desk.  I ended up doing the High Level tech support, Vendor Management, Call Center Support, training, and escalation issues. 

I was to attend a Class for a Cisco Certification and I could not do it.  My passion was gone, and I was going through the motions.  Next door was beginning the RE classes, so I sat in and registered the next day.  Never looked back.  When I got my license, I tendered my resignation, and moved on. 

The skills I learned enhance what I do.  Especially the tech support side and the Customer Service skills from CC support and Vendor support taught me alot about dealing with difficult situations.  Tech support taught me that there are SOOOOO many ways to tackle a problem, but start simple.  I've used every thing I have learned and 3 years in, I am doing OK as well. 

I was a police officer for 17 years and have done well as a Realtor.  I am used to talking to strangers, tracking things down and not quitting until the job is done.  I'm not afraid of confrontation or telling pepole the truth.  Some of that is natural, much of it was learned on the streets.

Anything great with serving people.  That's the key I believe.  The ability to schmooze, tell the truth and to follow up.

My formal education is in dog training and kennel management-still trying to figure out how I can get them to mesh....   When I was 12 I decided I'd have to own my own business to be happy; it took a while but the drive to make it happen along with persistence was all I needed.

A good background would include customer service skills and any job that would give one a thick skin.

This is long, but a nice story...My mother was highly-educated and while my parents did not push me to have a successful career, it was pretty much just expected.  

But  through two full Bachelor's degrees, most of an Associate's degree, many job realms such as banking, school teacher, food service (yes--I waited tables and bartended between each job phase--I admit it), equipment liquidation, and several different professional licenses (bonded auctioneer among them), I truly never thought I'd find the "perfect" job for which I was the best suited.      

That is, until at age 37 when I called my Buyer's Agent from seven years before to list and sell my house and I found out that he too was divorced and within a few months--voila!--instant relationship AND, more specific to this post, a budding new career for me!

It was 2001, the market here was gaining super momentum and he needed help.  So he pushed me into real estate school (I thought "ugh, not more school") but it came easily to me, I passed quickly and I discovered I have a knack for many things that have helped me succeed thus far. 

What has helped me become a good Realtor are of course the obvious--interpersonal skills, communication, intelligence, quick learning, grasp of the overal objectives and rules (and GREAT help from my now husband in his 19th year selling)--but also a small thing for me that has been priceless...

Writing skills in this computer/e-mail age are key, I think.  While I hated every minute of typing class in high school (Mom made us take it so we could write term papers in college) to this day I can type very fast.

In our resort market most of our clients are from outside the state and I have actually forged many good client relationships solely by e-mail because my communication, word skills and typing have been good enough to communicate fully. 

I think people look for us to be real communicators and tell them what we can do for THEM, not so much what we look like or what our actual personal credentials are or how great WE are.  Show them our worth to THEM by our actions and skills, not by just a list of our previous work experience. 

Really, very few of my clients in 5 years now have even asked how long I've been selling or what I did before I became a Realtor or where I went to school!  Once I have started good dialogue with them over time via internet, they tend to trust me and I've never let anyone down to my knowledge. 

I am so proud now to finally have a real career that I love and am well-suited for!  Best wishes to you, Dan, and to everybody!