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Pondering what could be life changing and needing some guidance from my fellow AR'ers.

For those that may have read an earlier blog were I wrote about having to work full time in retail. I have left retail and moved into a part time job. My big issue right now is am I at the right place for my Real Estate career. I have been there over a year and still have had little guidance. At least from my perspective. I want to hear from agents their experiences on being with a good agency's. Did you have mentoring? What kind of support did you have? I am very frustrated and I am contemplating hanging up my real estate career. I have wanted this for many years and probably waited too long to do this. This is not a profession for a single parent. Juggling parenting, job and real estate has taken it's toll. A part of me thinks if I had a little more guidance from someone in my office I wouldn't still be treading water and getting know where. I have tried to get with someone to show me the ropes but everyone is off doing there own thing. My broker/owner is always on the go and very hard to track down. I have learned more from reading blogs on AR than I have from my broker/office.

I am not ready to give up, especially since I have options. The one thing I do not want to do is make the same mistake. I want to hear is this how it is? Am I expecting too much? What are the key things I should ask? What are the key things I should be listening for?

AR is a great community and I know I will have great responses.

Posted by Michele Ott on 02/15/2009 11:20 AM

Comments (11)

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11 Comments on Pondering what could be life changing and needing some guidance from my fellow AR'ers.

FEB

Michelle,

My advice would be to interview as many other brokerages as you can until you find one that feels right to you. In my experience, even a great franchise can have an office that will be great to work at, and another office that will blow. A lot depends on the BIC. I left one frachise that filled the list of desireble elements, but had a Broker in charge that was a jerk. I went to a less technologically equiped franchise with a BIC who is wonderful, and I have never looked back

Good Luck!

Michelle....you don't need a mentor in your office, you just need a mentor! I would be happy to do that for you, if you like. Small changes and tiny investments make a big difference, email me and let's talk!! I'm in California, but the steps are the same anywhere, we can talk about where you are at and what to do next.

Hang in there!

Karen

I think it's possible to learn "negatively", as well as positiviely. No one mentored me, and I suppose I might have found it "easier" if they had, but not to be mentored is not an excuse as to why it's difficult. Sales of any description is very demanding, as it calls forth the individual's "inner self", not just a set of external rules for success. It is not a career path for everyone, and even though there might be a social side to real estate sales, it's really about business practices, and the other things are just "perks". The first element of success in any business path, and that includes retail, which can also have good growth/excitement attached to it, is to not give up, to persevere. There is no magic script. In sales, one's own individual response is the "right one". Even a mentor will only be sharing what worked for them, and that might not be your script. Good luck, in whatever you choose to do.

Michele- to me this is a broad question..for starters what are you looking for there are many types of models of brokerages.

"I have been there over a year and still have had little guidance. At least from my perspective"

One of the biggest downfalls in people they sometimes don't ask for the help. It's kinda like building table without instructions and after its built you used the rubber washers in the wrong place..you look at the leftovers and there are nuts and screws left and minutes later your table falls apart...the base was not strong...and then you have to go back and build the table again..you can either do it with instructions or without...what would you do?

As a manager and trainer I look at every agent as an individual...with the thought they believe they are an independent contractor..or better yet business owner..it seems when I extend help depending on the personality its interferrance and others reach out and never stop asking.. If you like your brokerage..ask for help and there is a good chance you will recieve...or not...and that should help you decide!

Utilize all of this great info on the net..because I can tell you...I get some of my best thoughts..from people around the globe.

Thanks so much for the responses I have gotten so far.

I am a people person and excelled in sales in the retail enviroment. I do not find real estate difficult, what I do find is maybe a sense of no direction. I would like to hear what worked for someone else and then try to apply it to my way of doing things. Midori mentioned "One of the biggest downfalls in people they sometimes don't ask for the help". I have asked and asked to the point I stopped asking. I was very gung ho and wanted to do things even though I had no listings. I did find myself not enjoying what was going on in my brokerage. One very minor thing is I don't even have a desk or a little spot to call my own. I am very web oriented and I am the only one in my office that blogs. I was told that maybe I shouldn't do that because it has generated me nothing in ways of clients. But I do know that my blogs lead to hits on our website. When it comes to brokerages in my area there is not much to choose from. But I guess I will be going over my options and find one that feels like a fit for me.

Thanks to Midori, Li, Michael and Karen. And Karen I just might take you up on that offer.

FEB

Find an office where the Broker is available when you need to ask advice, and an office which offers training. It makes a huge difference when you are starting out.

Thanks leslie,

I will be talking with a Broker this week and I am excited. This Broker manages the business and the agents. Does not compete for listings. Thay are also internet/technologically forward thinking Brokerage.

-Michele

FEB

Michele- Your not alone! I got my license last yr. and felt the same way. I did hang-up my license and am just now getting started with a new Brokerage. My last place (big name place) had all kinds of stuff but not much direction. I was told that it was my business and I needed to get it done. Well thats a lot of help! I didn't know where to start. OK I DO understand that a little seeing that I have been in business for 25 years (I did quite well too) and have sold most of my businesses and am semi-retired from that income. I can figure this out on my own but I wouldn't want and employee of mine fumbling around with my customers with a company logo on his shirt. Not very professional or smart if you ask me.

I found some help and encouragement from Jennifer Allan. Get her stuff!! Call her...I did. She blogs here at Active Rain and has her own web site at: www.sellwithsoul.com

FEB

Michele - I started in 2007 and in 30 days I knew I was in the wrong place. I moved and I so glad that I did. Not that I get a ton of tutoring but I get my questions answered.Feel Like I'm in a place that people care.

I too have learned so much here on the Rain. I was lucky that I sold a business before I got into real estate and didn't need to generate income to live right away. Also my kids are grown, so I didn't have all the financial burdens(distractions).

Have you thought of trying to find a successful agent that has a team and getting on board with them.Maybe commit to a smaller slice of the pie and give a certain time commitment to stay ,if they will take you under their wing and teach you what they know. Make it a win- Win proposition.

Good luck to you.

FEB

Michelle,

Like Michael I was with a firm that had great training but the particular office was very bad. I am with Remax now and they have great agent training on line. Keller Williams is also strong in this area. Just be careful where you affiliate. A bad local office with a good company is still bad. Do some serious investigation before you move. Also, keep picking up what you can from your friends on AR. This is one of the best resources available to agents anywhere. I also agree you may find a good start by joining a team. Again, check out the team first. You want to learn good habits. Just because an agent or a team sells a lot of properties doesn't mean they're someone you want to be is business with.

MAR

Thanks again everyone. I have made the change and so far I am loving it.

Michele

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