Myths

Before you get a real estate license you are a consumer who thinks all real estate agents make big bucks while doing very little.  That is one of the first real estate myths that quickly dissolves once you are no longer the consumer, and now become the agent.

Another real estate myth is that most real estate agents were quite financially comfortable before they even got their license, so they didn’t need to worry about money.  You can find many agents who struggled their first few years, but through consistent work, they managed to survive and even began making a fairly good income practicing real estate.

One of my favorite real estate myths is that real estate agents don’t really need to work – the work comes to them.  Granted, even a blind squirrel gets a nut every now and then.  Each real estate agent will have a few easy transactions where the business falls into their laps.  People, this is not the norm!  I vividly recall being newly licensed and having a friend pass a name on to me that resulted in my first listing, which ultimately became a sale.  Quite naturally, I thought to myself that this business isn’t going to be as hard as my trainer led me to believe.  Wow!  That kind of thinking disappeared within a couple of weeks!  I quickly learned that if I was going to have any kind of ongoing business, it would be because I got out there and found it!

Another popular real estate myth is that if you get a license, the broker who holds that license will give you work to do.  Today, many newer agents (and some not so new to the business) pay for leads.  They believe it’s the quickest way to garner business.  I neither agree nor disagree because I can see both sides of the coin.  I must say, however, I have never paid for a real estate lead in my life.  I also understand times have changed, the internet has allowed consumers to do a lot of “shopping” and maybe out of desperation it is necessary to pay for leads.  My only advice would be that if you need to do that, let’s hope it’s short term and you can stop paying for them as soon as your own business is built up.

The last real estate myth to be busted is that real estate agents will say anything to get a sale.  This myth bothers me.  I agree there are some real estate agents out there who will lie to a consumer, but it’s not fair to profile every single agent because of a few bad ones.  If a real estate agent is honest and works with integrity, that reputation is going to follow him or her.  Doing the right thing has always been a mantra in this industry, and although sometimes it’s more difficult to do, it sure makes sleeping at night easier.

If you enjoy these blogs and you have a need for any type of real estate education or training, I hope you’ll consider TEAM Hughes Real Estate School.  We’re building a reputation based on honesty and fairness to our students, and we’d love you to join us!  Call us if we can help.