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Do You Have 'Rookie' Tattooed on Your Forehead?

By Mary Yonkers

Education & Training with Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate

July 17, 2013 05:00 AM

Do You Have 'Rookie' Tattooed on Your Forehead?

Are your clients asking, 'How long have you been in Real Estate?' Do your feel like you have 'Rookie' tattooed on your forehead?

Rookie Congratulations.

You passed the real estate exam.

And you completed the office's extensive training program and you are so ready to begin your real estate career.

Your excitement is running high as you drive to your first listing appointment.

All the research about the seller's property has been prepared, organized and re-organized several times.

Yesterday you met with the office manager to review your presentation one more time.

Knock on the door. You greet the owners and compliment on them on front entrance. You are about to sit down at dining room table to begin your listing presentation.

Zapp ZAP "How long have you been in real estate?" seller asks.
Zapp

Ugh! How did they they know?

Swallow hard as you muster up as much confidence as you can, and answer, "Seems like forever." Then when without hesistation ask the seller a question about their property. Most people are very willing to talk about themselves and their properties.

Of course it is not easy to recover. Knowing how to answer challenging questions in a confident and matter of fact maner will deflect negative questions and allow you to focus on building rapport with potential clients.

To be really, really honest you have been preparing for this career for a long time, even before you took real estate classes, studied for test, passed the test and completed training classes. Your previous career and life experiences have prepared you to assist your clients in fulfilling their goals of buying and selling real estate. Yes, 'It seems like forever!'

Do You Have 'Rookie' Tattooed on Your Forehead?

NO!

Join me in Real Estate Pre-license classes: Fundamentals & Practice

Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate / Mary Yonkers, Instructor

Two 30 hour pre-license class (Pennsylvania)

Cost: $178

Call: 1-814-453-4274 or 412-967-9000

Homes for Sale: Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Erie, PA

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Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

My "Rookie" agent just got his first on line review for his first transaction and it was great. Of course I believe in going along with my rookie agents on presentations until they are a little seasoned.

Jul 17, 2013 05:46 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Congratulations to your rookie agent, Tammy. Yes, it is a big boost to many agents to have their manager accompany them on first appointments. I am amazed at the number of offices that just send their new agents out to 'sink or swim.' No wonder the failure rate is so high in some areas.

Jul 17, 2013 06:15 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

We have some new agents and they really do try hard...and hope the can be successful.

Jul 17, 2013 11:56 AM

Jerry Newman

Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX

Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Mary, I love your comeback line. I need to prepare our Rookie agent, who will be finishing up her last classes next month. Yes, " It does seem like forever', after taking all those classes and passing that exam.

Jul 17, 2013 12:13 PM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Mary, I remember that feeling and just knew that everybody knew that I was a newbie. A friend called herself a neophyte. It made newbie sound even better.

Jul 17, 2013 12:33 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Mary, I remember as a green newbie telling people that I was indeed a newbie. After a couple of years, my broker suggested that I was milking it a little too much. But seriously, I think the only answer to that question is an honest one.

Jul 17, 2013 01:26 PM

Rebecca Foresee

Alain Pinel Realtors - Morgan Hill, CA

Let's foresee the possibilities . and get results!

Considering the importance of such a critical transaction, I'm happy to disclose my experience. Whether that's tied to a date of licensing or not isn't necessarily a fact material to the sale. The other extreme are agents who have been licensed for a great deal of time and use the number of years in lieu of relevant experience. I believe current competence makes a difference. Just my two cents.

Jul 17, 2013 03:52 PM

Rebecca, good luck to the newer agents in your office. My mother used to say, 'Where there is a will there is a way.'

Thank, Jerry. Good luck to prospective agent who is finishing up classes. May she pass test easily, get her license and begin her career. With you helping her she will be well on her way to success, I am sure.

Debbie, I am smiling at term 'neophyte.' You are right in saying that 'newbie' sounds better.

Patricia, I agree. After a few transactions no one asks, 'how long?' Guess they assume we know what we are doing.

Rebecca, I love your response. It is all about competence. If the consumer feels that the agent is competent they don't really care whether they are 'brand-new' or 'seasoned' agent.

Jul 17, 2013 11:04 PM

Amanda S. Davidson

Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Mary, I can remember answering that question years ago. I didn't think to say feels like forever, I told them X months or 1 year. I like feels like forever, sounds confident!

Jul 17, 2013 11:18 PM

Thanks, Amanda. Yes, 'seems like forever' sounds confident because your are confident in the services you can offer.

Jul 18, 2013 03:32 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good advice for newer agents. Young people need to make sure that they present a professional appearance that will help overcome age questions.

Jul 22, 2013 01:23 AM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

I always told folks that I am new and chose to go into real estate because I was willing to use all of the new and exciting technology available to sell their home that many of my experienced competition refuse to embrace. 9 1/2 years later, that statement is STILL true!!

Jul 22, 2013 01:55 AM

Good advice, Roy. Appearance and professionalism are so important. Thanks for stopping by.

Jul 22, 2013 07:27 AM

And that is why you are so successful, Joni. (We all need to get on the tech band wagon.). It is good to see you again.

Jul 22, 2013 07:29 AM

Do You Have 'Rookie' Tattooed on Your Forehead?

Do You Have 'Rookie' Tattooed on Your Forehead?

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