So you want to be a Realtor? Advice for new agents in Real Estate

Do you like challenges? A Real Estate career is the ultimate challenge, not always glitz and glamor though. Active Rain has challenged us to answer 3 question so those thinking of becoming a Real Estate Agent can learn from. Many veteran agents will tell you, this is what we wish we knew when we became agents.

I am the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services here in the Manchester NH area. I have been in Real Estate since the age of 18, that was 32 years ago. 

The questions asked for this challenge were:

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN THE FIRST YEAR YOU WERE IN THE BUSINESS THAT COST YOU LOST BUSINESS OR INCOME?

When I entered Real Estate, I was young and trusting. A person's word meant everything. I soon learned the importance of Buyer Agent contracts and Listing contracts. Friends, relatives and acquaintances, all wanted the inside scoop. The best deals and assistance in getting a mortgage. I helped everyone. I cherished friendships and was always first in line to help. However, not wanting to pressure people into signing buyer agent contracts, some strayed. The would go direct to the seller or other agents and cut me out. Many came back when things went wrong. 

Some say cash is king, but a signed contract is king. It lets customers/clients know what to expect and lets the agent know the client will not so easily stray. Get everything in writing, get everything signed and communicate what they can expect during the buying or selling process as become my go to process.

WAS THERE EVER A TIME YOU QUESTIONED WHETHER YOU HAD MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE OF BEING A REAL ESTATE AGENT?

In 32 years of this business, there are very few times that I wondered if this was the right choice. I LOVE what I do. Most often the worst part of real estate is the things we can not control. Some is ECONOMIC, like interest rate increases, terrorism, stock market crashes and Presidential elections. They all affect the real estate market. They also create cyclical down turns, recessions and up turns.

There are things we face every day that we can not completely control. The home inspection, the appraisal and the buyers mortgage commitment. 

WHAT EVENTS CAUSED YOU TO STICK WITH IT AND SUCCEED?

The first recession I ever saw being in Real Estate was the most crushing as I never had been through one. To see the phones stop ringing in an instant. Buyers stop buying and sellers can not give their homes away. I did not save for it. I did not prepare for it and certainly was against all change I was experiencing.

The SOLUTION to Economic changes is to be prepared. As an agent you need to save your money. You need to have a contingency plan. You need to adjust to how you do business. I think the most important lesson is that you have to adapt to what you sell and who you sell it to. 

The SOLUTION is for mortgage issues, bad inspections and bad appraisals, is to cut your risk of those bad happenings. You may not be able to eliminate them, but can sure cut the odds it happens in more than half. To know that all sales will not close, to learn from them, to never dwell and get back up always move forward in a positive manner.  

WHAT ARE THE 3 THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT HAVE POSITIVELY AFFECTED  YOU AND HELPED YOU IMPROVE YOU REAL ESTATE BUSINESS?

1. One of the leading thing I have learned is learning to Listen. "Know when to speak and when to listen." Our industry is changing. People want things NOW. They do not want to wait. That is also where my learned trait of "patience" comes in. Real Estate has "order takers", those looking to sell you something at any cost that may not be what you want. Listening comes in as I like to learn what a client wants, what their goals are, what are their needs, what they like and what they do not like. 

With a surge of discount agents, consumers are learning they get what they pay for. My goal is to increase service and offer the best personal service i can for my clients. 

2. Expect the unexpected. Like the boyscout motto, "be prepared." In Real Estate there are steps that should be taken in every transaction. By communicating those steps before the sale or purchase with my clients, they can be ready for them. Reducing to eliminating bad surprises, is always a goal. 

3. Lastly is TECHNOLOGY. New technology can and has both helped and hurt rela estate. Just because it is online, does not mean it is correct. Many companies are trending to all technology. Viewing homes, asking questions, apply for your mortgage... all in one place. It is true 90% of buyers start their buying online. 

The problem lays with "everything" in between. What do I mean? you ask.

Well would you buy  house without seeing it in person? That is what they want you to do.

Would you make an offer on a home not knowing what the true market value is to base your offer on? That is what the big companies want you to do. Look at how off values are on may websites. 

You found your home, you made an offer that ws accepted. Next i the inspection. Is that online company going to be standing next to you telling you what the inspector means when he just tore apart the home? The answer is no and many buyers choosing discount agents find themselves alone. 

THE BOTTOM LINE is that when buying or selling a home, it is everything in between that is the hard work. Finding a buyer or finding a dream home is just part of it. A computer can not be there. The discount agent will not be there. You may only have one chance to do it right before it costs money and time.

My philosophy is simple, provide more personal and profession service to guide my clients through each step of the buying and selling process. All agents are not created equal. That every buyer or seller should take time to hire the BEST not the biggest agent.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A LICENSED AGENT IN NH

OR

IF YOU ARE A LICENSED AGENT IN NH,

I am ready to help. Work in an attractive business that focuses on service. On the job mentoring. Learn by doing and learn to do it right. No forced phone time. No desk fees. Freedom and Independence in a supportive environment. Competitive commissions. Buyer leads available NOW to share and work with you on.  To succeed you need to love real estate. You need to dress well. Have a reliable car and a valid drivers license. You need to want to be busy, wand to be happy and want to like it when you have to work. Contact us for a private interview. Let us show you there is a difference.