I began my real estate career in the late 80's in Northern Virginia. I interviewed with Town N' Country and the broker hired me even though I would be working part-time. My home was only five minutes from the office. I was at the office at 5:00pm every weekday working until 9 or 10 pm. I also worked every weekend. I did cold calling and received calls from prospects in the evenings. This arrangement which allowed me to often have the office free to myself, provided a tremendous opportunity for me to concentrate on the potential buyers and sellers to whom I was calling or who was calling into the office regarding real estate.
Most of the agents in the office were much older than me. I was told by a few of the women that I had to work full time to sell real estate. They were somewhat cold and did not want to help or assist me in any way. My broker was great. He answered all my questions, and helped me with the MLS system. Oh my gosh as I look back, the MLS system was so antiquated. I remember feeling bad when the women ignored me like I didn’t exist. My broker knew this and he encouraged and persuaded me to keep pushing forward.
Within two weeks I had a buyer and two listings for condos in Alexandria. By the end of the year, I had sold ten condos and had a few listings and a list of potential buyers.
My hard work paid off by working every evening and every weekend. My boyfriend (husband now) was the one that influenced me to get my real estate license. He had so much faith in me, and he was convinced that I would be good selling real estate. Although, I wasn’t so sure after meeting some of the agents in the office. Thanks to Claude and my broker I stayed with it and have thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
So the naysayers who said I would never make it in real estate when I first started changed their attitudes and I became close friends with one of them. I had to put my license in referral after five years when a health issue developed. Later I got a promotion as Director of the IT Security Office for NOAA so my license stayed in Referral Status until I retired and we moved to Lewisburg, WV in 2006.
In 2007, I got my real estate license for West Virginia. Lewisburg is a small town in Greenbrier County with a population of 4,500 and approximately 150 Realtors®. I was a full-time agent with Coldwell Banker.
Yes, you guessed it more naysayers. I was told by some of the agents that since I was new in the area, was not a Lewisburg native, and did not know anyone that I would never do well in real estate. At first I thought they were right. It was hard, but I persevered. After three months I finally had my first sale from out-of-town buyers.
In 2008, I joined Active Rain and started blogging on every local business, meeting business owners, and writing about all the local events. Eventually, I was known as “the blogger” in town and I started to get listings and buyers. Active Rain and blogging was indeed a blessing for me.
So a word to all new agents, work hard, keep on going and DO NOT listen to the naysayers. If I can do it, you can too.
There are those in life that do all they can to push you down, but thankfully, there are those wonderful souls who unselfishly offer a hand to help you rise to your potential and to lift you up.
This post is also being included in the monthly contest, " Winning over Naysayers."
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