Lee, I was wildly entertained and I think you hit the nail on the head with the descriptions and illustrations of exactly what we will put ourselves through to see the transaction work to the favor of our clients. Amen, brothers and sisters! Preach, preacher!!!  I bet all of your previous clients remember and love you!

Congratulations, I flagged you for a star for this one.  Great post! 

HILARIOUS!  Thanks for the laughs, and reminding me of all the 'surprises' I had in MY first year!

SK

Very funny Lee! And so true. 

Lee...

I don't think I'll ever forget my first year. EVER. It's a long story. Maybe someday I'll write a post about it. Assuming I can remember 'all the facts' from 13 years ago. I do know it was a tough year and riddled with problems I never expected. This business has a way of teaching us all about human psychology. I think I may have felt like the woman collecting the crap. Thanks for the chuckle :)

TLW...ROAR!

LOL Lee...thanks for the humor.  I don't want to look clear back to 1980 when I entered real estate because I had not idea what I was getting into. Mortgage rates stood at 10 1/2 % when I started and rose to a peak of 17 1/2%.  Needless to say, those that survived those years were rewarded and I feel blessed to be one of those that did surive and I look back and don't know how I did it!  Congratulations on the Rookie of the Year award.  I'm positive there are many more awards in your future. Have an awesome 2007!

I guess I have a lot to look forward too!!! LOL Been a Realtor now for 4-months...

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments.  It really has been a wonderful year...even with all the "challenges" (yeah I like that word better)!!! 

Shayne don't be dismayed, it may seem difficult at times but if you just allow yourself to laugh even at the darkest of times, you will see that you made your way through it.  Be strong, be courageous, know that you can't do anything about yesterday and you can't sit around worrying about tomorrow.  That leaves you only 24 hours at a time to live in.  Live that 24 honestly, knowing when you lay your head down at night that you have done all you can for that day.  Just believe that you have something special to share, act on that belief....and everything else will take care of itself.

OK this was hilarious.  My first year was awesome and yes you are right, that year I would have done and did, whatever it took to get that puppy closed!  It was a helluva ride! $6 mil in sales, no systems, no assistant, just me, triple fisting phones and running around like a maniac.  I had a blast!

Loved my first year!  It was stressful, but nothing as stressful as corporate America.  I put the systems together, hand-held each and every deal (as I still do!) and aimed to provide the best possible service!

Life is great!!!

Thanks for a great laugh!

As I hit the submit button, I was thinking that these pictures would make a great realestateshow...

Just a thought...

Hilarious, Lee. Had a good laugh at the end of the day. Congratulations on your achievement.

Jeff

Good job,

The more adversity you encounter early on the stronger it will make you down the road. I have seen agents who had virtually encountered very little adversity there whole careers. Then when a crisis did come up they folded like house of cards.

Lee,

Thanks for the post. A little light hearted humor goes a long way and in this business is often needed.

Isn't that the truth.  Thanks Lee for the funny post.  what a way to start a day.....

Lee:  That was great! Began my day today with a nice little laugh.  :)

Very funny.  So True - Great way to start my day!!

I've just completed my first full year and what a ride it's been!  Some of the pictures hit close to home:).  I hope I always feel the need to make sure the client's needs (to a degree) are met.

That was hilarious!  I still remember by rookie year and boy was it fun!  That was 7 years ago, but I learned so much that year that it all sticks with you as you move forward.  You'll retain a lot more than you ever thought you would.  Congrats on making it this far.... However, you're not out of the statistics yet!  In Texas, the stats are that 80% will drop out the first year and 60% of the remaining 20% will drop out within the next 6 months.  That's 8 people out of 100 making it past a year and a half!!  Good luck!

Too funny!!!  Congrats on having a year under your belt.  I finished my first year a few weeks ago - WOW!!  The things you see and hear - - now nothing shocks me. 

That was great - I remember those days - Congrats on surviving your rookie year like Donna said your already way ahead of the statistics on new licences especially in this market.

Best wishes and continued success.

Desiree

Thanks Lee-Great post, entertaining ........and TRUE! I just completed my first year back after a 20 year absence and you nailed it!

While this definitely was a funny read it sort of bummed me out because I will reach my year in June and due to a Brokerage change I have absolutely Nothing to show for it. I'm envious and wonder how in the heck you climbed the ladder when I still feel like a fish out of water.

I'm making headway I think - since switching, but it's pretty much like starting over and while it's only been since January 10th, I would love to pick your brains and find out what I'm NOT doing that you did to get going. With spring just around the corner and some GREAT contacts in the works; I may be cutting myself short and in 3 months I'll come back to this post and update it to say I have like 1/2 dozen listings and 3 closings under my belt.

But as a Rookie with your first year down -- please share what you did that worked.

-- Jenn
American Dream Realty, Spencer County Indiana

Good for you Rookie!  Three cheers!

And Jenn-- anybody that's been in sales a while will tell you:  do not get bummed out that your first year wasn't a good one; it wasn't a good year for me and I've been doing it a long time.  Negativity is a slippery slope in this biz.

Again, congratulations Lee.

Lee,

Congratulations on your achievements in your first year! The first year is not an easy one, but it sounds like you've hit the ground running. Sometimes we tend to take ourselves too seriously and  I think your lightheated attitude and positive  outlook will take you far in this business.  Good luck and I hope there are many more awards and achievements in your future.

Thank You! Hillarious but true. I am a rookie and I was recently asked by a buyer at an open house how long I have been in the business. I said I was a rookie and explained why that was actually a good thing. I wish had this blog post to show her.

So funny--photos.  Though my rookie days are long gone, there are days I still feel like that woman whose holding the bag under the elephants hinnie...

Yes, that sums it up!  But why is my "Rookie Year" extending into year 2?  I'm still in the cubicle pool and doing just about anything I can to get that client to closing--maybe that's it--"just about"--I have set some limits and even cut a client loose.  Maybe I really am in the year beyond Rookie Year!

I LOVE THIS!!!  Well, I'm a "rookie" on this site so bear with me!  I "lurked" around for a week just reading and funny how a few of these articles responded to a few negative ones I've read. 

As far as being a "rookie" agent....I know I still learn something from every transaction I go through and when in doubt I ask.  So how long does "rookieism" last?  Haha.

"Sally"...I'm hoping to get a few more years of use out of my "rookie status" :)

I presume it may be that way for everyone just "starting out".  I'm coming up on four and still feels like yesterday when I went through that first transaction. (must have had an impact on how I conduct business) We do have part timers here who have been "rookies" for 20 years! Haha.

Congratulations are in order. Your photo choice is fantastic.  I can completely relate with the elephant photo.  My first listing involved helping the owner with painting and re-landscaping - and to boot I had to steeply reduce the commission.  I'm glad those days are long over...but that first year was an amazing learning experience. I still follow the elephant around on occassion - but it's exception now - not the rule.

This is a Fantastic blog! I'm lost for words so i will leave it at that. congrats Lee

ROTFL!!!!! Great post, Greater pictures! Congratulations on being named Rookie of the Year!

Thanks for the laughs and congrats on your "Rookie of the Year" designation!!

Lee,

Thanks for the laughs and congratulations on a great first year despite a slower market.  Good luck this year!

Michele

Great post!  The pictures are hilarious, yet sadly very accurate. HAHA   Congrats on a good first year!

The first year is the most...shall we say "interesting" (?) one.  The dung flinging hasn't stopped yet though.  Even after five years plus I still am rookie in many of my circles.

Lee,   I can't wait to see your Sophmore pix....

Wow, I just got my first "Olive"

BTW, is an olive a fruit?

Great post....loved the pictures. I don't think I would go that far to please a client though. EWWWWW!

I know exactly where you are coming from. I felt the same way. I always tell my colleagues that are just getting starting to never let your client feel your desperation for the sale. Also never brag to anyone until your cashing the check.

Funny stuff Lee and CONGRATS on stepping out of rookie status!

Great post, as one who is in the middle of my rookie year I can relate

Lee,

Very funny post!! I really understand the elephant picture. That is one that is ongoing way past rookie status!! Good laughs, Thanks.

Good Day!! have a cup of java and a smile on me :)

Good post. Congratulations! Maybe your future years be wonderful.

That is hilarious.  I can relate as well, just completed my rookie year about 6 months ago!  Congrats on Rookie of the Year, and best of luck to you.

A picture is certainly worth a thousand words! Congratutations!

Very very funny.  And very very accurate. I kept the pics out of view until I had read the descrition, then the pics made it hilarious.

Great post! Very funny, congratulations!

Thanks for the laugh, I love ar comedy club- it really can brighten a hard day!