One of the purposes of attending classes is to network, and to exchange ideas with others. You have many chances to talk with people from your own area, and are not too likely to get (or send) referrals to your own area. Take a little more time and spend a little more money to take classes out of your area. There are different customs and ways of doing business in different areas - learn from them. Your market is going to change - whether for better or worse - so talk to some people in markets that have already changed. How can you prepare? How can you not only survive, but thrive? Make more contacts with new referral sources. Are many buyers coming to your area from a particular location? Are lots of sellers moving to a common geographic area? Taking a class there will not only introduce you to referral sources, but you can learn more about those markets, to better understand and advise your clients about the regional differences.

Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.