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Before you even start

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 PA License - AB067198

Before you even start in real estate you need to ask yourself some hard questions because it is not all glamor and stardom. Not everyone is a million dollar agent or agent to the stars!

Realize it is also not like an HGTV home finder program, show them three homes and collect your check. To begin with ask yourself these simple questions.

There are plenty of other real estate agents out there what is going to distinguish me from all the others people know?

How am I going to find clients? And am I willing to do what it takes?

Do I have enough reserves to make it till I earn a regular income from my sales?

My very first year in the business was a good year, what cost me income was not working as a team with my wife who had been in the business for a few years and was on a larger split than offered to me by my broker at the time. This was her choice, but it caused money to be left on the table. That got corrected in year two. 

I realized early on during a class I was taking that this was the business for me, it perfectly suited my character. This was a light bulb moment for me and it helped me going forward.

 3 things I learned along the way that have positively affected and helped me improve my real estate business

1) Exactly that it is a business and you need to treat it like as business. Know your numbers, check your numbers and be willing to adjust as you.

2) Know what a fiduciary is and what it means to be one. This changed my whole attitude to real estate. Putting others interests before anyone else, including my self. I learned this in a class and you cannot have too much education. I would also say get involved with your local association and attend meetings both at local and state level at least because you meet people and you learn there is more than one way to skin a cat as they say.

3) People lie, they don't mean to, they just don't understand the process. So make sure you know the process and stick to it, make sure your clients know the process and that you will look after them. Pledge your loyalty and ask them for theirs. People love to help others when asked, so ask for those referrals.

I hope you see this is a wonderful business if you are prepared to work hard and like any business do the things which help a business to grow. 

Posted by

 

Nick Vandekar
Nick is a Tredyffrin Easttown Residential and Commercial REALTOR selling The Main Line, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Giving you the confidence to make
the right decisions.

225 W Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown , PA 19335
Office 484-237-2055
SellingTheMainLine.com
Mobile: (610) 203-4543 [call or text me]
Email Me

 

My Blog

   

If you are buying or selling on or around
Tredyffrin Easttown or along the Main Line, 
I can help you, contact me.

Comments(15)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

When starting out youi need money to market yourself and to live on.  think carefully!

Jan 11, 2018 02:03 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Understanding what a fiduciary's role is, is my #1 priority above all else. Without trust and confidence from you clients you won't have a business.

Jan 11, 2018 03:29 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Nick & Trudy Vandekar, 610-203-4543 ,

Good advice for someone contemplating getting into real estate. The business is not for the faint of heart and better be prepared to go months with no income when you first start out.

Jan 11, 2018 07:43 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nick, some great advice for those thinking or just getting into this crazy business!  

Jan 12, 2018 05:24 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

William Feela that is very true, all part of thinking about it as a business,have abusiness plan and know your financials.

Nina Hollander that is very true, too few of us use it as a USP, we should stress it more. I intend to over this year.

Dorie Dillard not sure where so many get the idea that everything is going to be handed to them whatever their age. This is a simple business but not easy.

Joan Cox thank you, as I said above it is simple, but not easy, if you follow the rules and always put your client first and remember who you represent you will acheive success.

 

Jan 12, 2018 06:52 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Nick, this is really solid advice for anyone considering a career in real estate. It's not what is shown on TV and takes hard work everyday. Having reserves is one that I think is often overlooked. Business doesn't fall out of the sky or just happen overnight. 

Jan 12, 2018 10:48 AM
Shahar Hillel
Encino, CA
Mortgage Consultant, Loan Officer.

Nick and Trudy good morning.

Theses are some very good and important tips and advises for people who consider working in Real Estate.

Have a good weekend.

Jan 12, 2018 11:24 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

A friend of mine was recently thinking of getting into real estate and I was very candid with her and didn't hold back the realities that we deal with.  At one point, I apologized because it probably sounded like I was trying to talk her out of it, but she told me that she really appreciated me sharing the reality of real estate.

Jan 12, 2018 01:29 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Amanda S. Davidson I agree with everything you say.

Shahar Hillel thank you.

Brian England one other thing we need as realtors is to be honest, and I think many peoplethink this business is just driving around collecting checks, it is not and it requires a high degree of ethics and hard work which many people don't want to do.

Jan 13, 2018 11:55 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Nick and Trudy - Nick, you made three extremely important points.  Yes, it is a business and one you control by your actions.

Jan 15, 2018 11:06 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Grant Schneider thank you, I surprise myself sometimes.

Jan 15, 2018 11:11 AM
Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

You own your own business. Period. That's so important and yet so many agents don't understand that from the start. 

Jan 15, 2018 12:35 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop you have to realize that from the beginning, I think it is where many people go wrong.

Jan 15, 2018 02:07 PM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Hi Nick & Trudy Vandekar, 610-203-4543 

Thanks for sharing your story.  I am surprised that you and your wife lost money that first year due to the split setup.  Not surprised on your end but that the Broker took advantage of you and did notoffer a different solution. He/she could have helped you out. Lesson learned by all who are reading this!!

I am starting a new real estate company this month and have hired a newly licensed agent and will share your blog and great advice with Lindsey Haden. She just joined ActiveRain.

We will begin marketing MACH1 Realty as soon as the final papers are finished on the LLC.  If you have time, please send Lindsey a private message of encouragement or wish her well in the future once she starts blogging!!

Have a great day!

Jan 16, 2018 08:01 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Mike McCann - Nebraska Farm Land Broker happy to and thanks for your comments. Yes, I always saw it from our perspective, never considered the broker could have done something different. Very true.

Jan 16, 2018 09:44 AM