Why a Real Estate Career? Why Now?
by Marie Episale, REALTOR, e-PRO, RECS Broker-Salesperson, Century 21 Crest Real Estate, Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Timing is everything. Don't you just hate it when you have said, I should have done that then.... If ever there was a time to begin a career in Real Estate, this is it. The economic crisis is predicted to end in 2009 and a robust economic recovery is expected to begin in 2010. A growing population and stabilizing economy will provide the basis for increased home sales. More affordable home prices will attract first-time buyers, which will result in more opportunity for Real Estate professionals.
If you are looking for a career change, need more household income, are currently unemployed, or concerned about being fired, this might be the time to get your Real Estate license.. Go to school now. Learn this profession now.
The buyers who have been sitting on the "fence" trying to figure out if we are "at the bottom" of the market and if prices will continue to drop are realizing that IT IS TIME TO ACT. Buyers are "hopping off that fence" and hitting the ground running, in large numbers so they can take advantage of these low prices and low interest rates. Sellers who have to sell or have decided it is a good time to sell (they may be buying another home at a low price) are pricing their homes to SELL not SIT. Good balance here. The supply and demand balance shift has begun. We are seeing more and more homes go under contract (supply decreasing, demand increasing). The "rumblings" are being felt throughout our market area.
The "Help Wanted" sign is out at Century 21 Crest Real Estate.
About the Career : Buying a home is one of the most important financial investments individuals make in their lives. Qualified salespeople are needed to assist them in making informed decisions. As a real estate salesperson, it will be your job to market homes to maximize profit for your sellers and to guide buyers through the maze of many decisions involved in purchasing their ideal property.
Work in a field where no two days are the same - obtain listings, determine sales prices, show properties, conduct open houses, counsel and educate buyers, oversee home inspections, assist with mortgage and financing process, negotiate contracts or watch your happy buyers turn the key on their new home. It's a flexible career that can conform to your life, your way. You organize and make your own hours, and experience a very high-income potential. You will interact with many different people, from all walks of life, and you will be integral part of a real estate team and company.. There has never been a better time to get your real estate license. Make the decision for a "new beginning". Start a flexible, challenging, and lucrative real estate career today.
New Jersey Real Estate licensing requirements:
Step 1: Enroll in an accredited real estate salesperson school
Step 2: Prepare for the real estate license exam
Step 3: Pass the state real estate license examination
Step 4: Work in a real estate office under the supervision of a licensed broker
Why a Real Estate Career?
Low training and licensing costs
Focused "get your income stream going" training and support
Flexible hours, for humans with obligations and desires other than work
Great commission checks - Great Income
Give yourself a raise when you need more money
Be your own boss. You are in charge of your destiny and your income.
What would I do and what would it take?
•Set income goals
•Make a plan (we help)
•Work that plan (we help if you want us to)
•Hours: This varies with the individual. Many make 6 figures with the equivalent of 3-4 work days. It's the plan implementation that will dictate how you spend your time. You don't' have to work a lot of hours, but the hours you do work need to be focused and purposeful.
•Pay: by commission; amount limited only by your work habits and enthusiasm
It would help if you have these attributes: (or can find them within you)
Self starter You don't need someone to tell you to get up, get ready and get to work
Self motivator You like encouragement & motivational speakers, but do an excellent job of motivating yourself.
Open to change The Real Estate business is dynamic, constantly changing, and you need to stay alert to new ideas, new techniques and methods and be willing to implement them quickly.
Positive Attitude: You know what that means. Say something nice, not mean ALL THE TIME. Find the lemonade in the lemons. See the bright side of everything.
Ability to Visualize See it, think it, open your self to it, accept it. It will happen. Yes, we embrace the principles of "The Secret".
Have Confidence You like who you are. You meet the challenges that are required. You practice, rehearse, review and practice again what you have learned. Then you can be confident.
Team PlayerYou work for yourself, but always with the company in mind and your colleagues.
Like People: You have to at least like the human race. Recognize that we are all connected and are in this world together. You will have knowledge and information that will be able to help many, many people with making good decisions with Real Estate sales and purchases. Contrary to what many think, you don't have to be a constant "people person". Just do a solid job with enthusiasm, integrity and body of knowledge, and let people know you are a licensed Real Estate salesperson. Don't be a "secret agent", but you don't have to "party" every day or have "mundane" conversations with people you don't know all the time. Just be yourself, but let the world know you are able to help with Real Estate needs when the time presents itself. Be the "answer person". Any time, any where, ask me about Real Estate!! Good customer service is key!
Good Organization Skills: A must. Why? Your clients need to know you value their time and goals. You need to organize your calls, e-mails, calendar entries and FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP. Hard to believe you really care, if you don't remember what your client wanted, when they wanted it and how important it is to them. You will be responsible to guide your clients through a transaction process with such things as down payment deposits, home inspections, mortgage process and a smooth move. You need organization skills to do this well.
Communication Skills: Think about it. Buyers and Sellers are usually very clear about what they want. They want to sell their home (property) or buy a home (property). Not hard. Just LISTEN! You will need to LISTEN carefully to their expressed needs and wants, and then ASK QUESTIONS to determine "hidden" motivators that they may not even be aware of.
Useful facts and Info
• YES, WE ARE HIRING ---More agents, more business, better ability to serve our customers.
Century 21 Crest Real Estate- Location: 142 Route 23 North, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
Contact: Marie Episale, REALTOR, e-PRO, RECS / Broker-Salesperson / Sales Manager / Trainer 973-646-7423 office direct 201-314-0106 celL mcepi@aol.com www.marieepisale.com
• Age restriction: Whatever your age, it's good (18+). We have a "niche" just for you.
• Career counseling if you are considering getting your NJ Real Estate license
• You don't have to be "full time" , but you must possess "full time" knowledge, skills, commitment, and dedication to each and every client you CHOOSE to work with.
Process:
• Enroll in a certified pre licensing school : Several locations in northern New Jersey
** 75 hour course : 3 wk days; 12 week (2 nites/wk) evenins; 12 wk Saturdays
• Complete pre licensing course - take exam - pass
• Sit for NJ State licensing test - pass -
• Get your fingerprints processed
• Meet with us to process your paperwork and get you started!
Costs: (How much is this going to cost me? really.)
$299 Pre licensing course cost. Includes course book.
$79 fingerprint processing cost
$175 NJ Real Estate commission fee
$250 Errors & Omission Insurance
$379 Membership fee: Passaic County Board of Realtors, NJ Assoc of Realtors, National Assoc of Realtors
$ 50 Business cards (1000 count)
Other costs that are optional but needed if you intend to be an active agent:
Multiple Listing Services (e.g. GSMLS $62.50 / 6 months)
Lockbox Key fees, Signs and sign riders, Web Sites to promote your business and your listings
Promotional items to promote your business (pens, calendars etc)
Gas for your car (price fluctuates)
Smile for your face (zero cost and really not optional)
** note: compare this cost to a 4 year college degree (I know, I have one) or starting your own business (such as a restaurant, bar, gym) and the income potential derived from a career in Real Estate. No brainer. It's not very expensive to start your own "Real Estate business" and career.
If you want more information on getting your New Jersey Real Estate license, please contact me. Even if it is just "tickling" your mind and you want to talk about it. If you are a Licensed Agent reading this, and want to know what it would be like to work with our dynamic office, we can talk. Marie Episale: mcepi@aol.com 973-646-7423
Comments(1)