real estate classes: Alabama Here We Come! - 09/11/16 10:33 AM
Our school considered it a huge compliment when someone approached us about expanding.  Being a South Carolina and Florida broker and having taught licensing courses in both states, I must admit the challenge of another state was huge.  After devoting about six months, however, Alabama here we come!
 
Alabama is one of those states that continually attempts to hone the licensing procedure and to keep real estate agents doing the right things.  I find their process is much more detailed and the presentation of a pre licensing course is more intrinsic than some states.  I think I’m going to like helping people … (1 comments)

real estate classes: Even Agents Need to be Nudged - 09/08/16 09:44 PM
When you were in school, you put off doing your homework until the day before it was due.  You wait as late as possible to file your tax return.  You still dislike having to do certain things by deadlines.  Procrastination is something you’ve experienced many times.  If you can relate to some of these scenarios, then you can understand even real estate agents need to be nudged.
 
At the time Florida real estate licensees are issued their license, they have anywhere between 18 and 24 months to complete an additional 45 hours of post licensing education.  That’s a year and a half … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Analogy of a Baseball Game - 09/08/16 09:41 PM
Bob and I went to a baseball game last night in Pensacola.   Our team lost, and as I was watching this not-so-exciting game, I began thinking about the analogy of a baseball game compared to the practice of real estate.
 
You might ask why an analogy of a baseball game came to mind while watching what was hoped to be an exciting playoff game, but that’s just it.  I was not exciting; it was rather disappointing, and if you think about it – the practice of real estate can sometimes be the same.
 
In baseball, if the players aren’t hitting the ball, running … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Walk in a Real Estate Agent’s Shoes - 09/06/16 08:25 PM
A real estate agent’s world is unlike most other people’s worlds.  It’s terribly difficult to walk in a real estate agent’s shoes unless you are actually in real estate or have knowledge of the real estate industry. 
 
Once licensed, a real estate agent’s world pretty much changes from their former norm.  Training is the first order of business after a license is achieved, and without the proper training, a real estate agent could be setting himself up for failure by not properly establishing the right kinds of habits needed to be successful.
 
In my first year of real estate, I spent as … (2 comments)

real estate classes: Our Labor is not in Vain - 09/03/16 10:38 PM
Today we observe Labor Day  to honor workers in this country who have contributed to our economic growth.  Reflecting on our economy, I have to believe our labor is not in vain.
Without getting into a political brouhaha my opinion is at this point in our history, we are facing questionable possibilities of our country’s growth or decline.
 
If our labor is in vain, I would think we will all suffer.  History has a way of showing that.  The economic depression of 1920 saw gross national product decline to 6.9% and unemployment over 11%.  Normally, a depression occurs after decline … (3 comments)

real estate classes: If Our Labor is in Vain - 09/03/16 10:04 PM
Today we observe Labor Day  to honor workers in this country who have contributed to our economic growth.  Reflecting on our economy, I have to wonder, if our labor is in vain.
Without getting into a political brouhaha my opinion is at this point in our history, we are facing questionable possibilities of our country’s growth or decline.
 
If our labor is in vain, I would think we will all suffer.  History has a way of showing that.  The economic depression of 1920 saw gross national product decline to 6.9% and unemployment over 11%.  Normally, a depression occurs after decline … (1 comments)

real estate classes: Leave a Mark - 08/29/16 10:30 PM
Granddaughters, Grace and Anna, visited recently with their Mom, and after a week of little ones running inside and out and after getting them home safely, it was time to get the house back in order.  While making things “normal” again, I couldn’t help but notice someone had left a mark on the doors going out to the screen room.  In my house, we never leave a mark on glass, and I am a freak about wiping them off immediately.  This mark was different, however.  Upon close inspection, I could see that this mark was left by a little girl’s hand.  … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Real Estate Myths - 08/28/16 10:48 PM
Before you get a real estate license you are a consumer who thinks all real estate agents make big bucks while doing very little.  That is one of the first real estate myths that quickly dissolves once you are no longer the consumer, and now become the agent.
 
Another real estate myth is that most real estate agents were quite financially comfortable before they even got their license, so they didn’t need to worry about money.  You can find many agents who struggled their first few years, but through consistent work, they managed to survive and even began making a … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Is Your Time of the Essence? - 08/27/16 11:05 PM
All real estate agents will recognize the phrase, time is of the essence.  In a purchase and sale contract, simply put, parties may not drag their feet in attending to the numerous clauses in the contract.  This clause, which is inserted into most real estate contracts, forces each party to perform the way they are expected to perform under the terms of the contract.  All deadlines must be met.
 
Time is of the essence can also apply to your real estate career and can refer to the fact that time is in short supply, that whatever project is at hand … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Time is of the Essence - 08/27/16 10:58 PM
All real estate agents will recognize the phrase, time is of the essence.  In a purchase and sale contract, simply put, parties may not drag their feet in attending to the numerous clauses in the contract.  This clause, which is inserted into most real estate contracts, forces each party to perform the way they are expected to perform under the terms of the contract.  All deadlines must be met.
 
Time is of the essence can also apply to your real estate career and can refer to the fact that time is in short supply, that whatever project is at hand … (2 comments)

real estate classes: It’s Like a Chef’s Salad - 08/24/16 08:52 PM
If you read my blogs with any sort of regularity, you’ll find many times I use analogies to describe my views toward the practice of real estate.  Today it’s like a chef’s salad.
 
How in the world can the real estate careers of so many real estate agents remind me of a chef’s salad?  Think about it a bit.  This industry is composed of a myriad of people, each one representing an ingredient in a chef’s salad.  We’ve got our crisp lettuce in the agents who are all work, detail oriented, no time for fun.  Then there are those lovely … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Monday Blues Can Mean Monday Blogs - 08/21/16 01:14 PM
Monday is not the most loved day of the week.  As a matter of fact, many people relate to having a case of the “Monday Blues.”  In an attempt to be positive, however, Monday Blues can actually mean Monday blogs.
 
For me, blogging is always a challenge and Monday is normally a challenge.  Having just returned from a two-week vacation with daughter and two granddaughters, today is even more of a challenge.  I don’t want to work, but I know I have to.  So for me, today’s Monday blues can only mean one thing, i.e. a Monday blog.
 
A … (0 comments)

real estate classes: Prediction from a Pro - 08/04/16 07:44 AM
The sky is falling!  The sky is falling!  Chicken Little is convinced doomsday is here and he’s bound and determined to put everyone into that very same spirit of fear.  Because the prophesy never came to pass, everyone in the town mistrusted Chicken Little, and finally, when aliens do begin to invade, the task is set before him to convince people he is telling the truth.
 
Such a sweet children’s story carries with it huge amounts of analogies for today’s world, especially within the practice of real estate.  When Chicken Little announced, “The sky is falling!  The sky is falling!” … (0 comments)

real estate classes: When They Tell You It’s Not Possible - 08/02/16 09:39 PM
I’m a stubborn person.  If you are anywhere near as stubborn as I am, when they tell you it’s not possible, you immediately want to prove them wrong.  This isn’t a bad trait because it may keep you motivated.
 
When they tell you it’s not possible to succeed in real estate, do you believe them?  When they tell you it’s not possible to become financially independent, do you take that to heart?  When they tell you it’s not possible to weather a turn in the market, do you begin thinking about another job?
 
Many real estate agents had to … (16 comments)

real estate classes: Newbie, Read a Blog or Two! - 07/30/16 10:40 PM
New real estate agents have a myriad of tasks to do in their early days of training.  Newbies are asked to contact their sphere of influence, to send emails, make phone calls, meet people and all sorts of other tasks in order to achieve name recognition.  My advice to them is simple:  Newbie, read a blog or two! 
 
A newbie has any number of training programs available today; a newbie has an opportunity to use technical skills that go way beyond my capabilities; and newbies have templates available that I would have killed for years ago.  These resources are … (1 comments)

real estate classes: We Are a People Business - 07/30/16 10:20 PM
We are a people business.  Sure, practicing real estate can be fun, it can be challenging, it can make us money, but when you get right down to the nitty gritty of it all, it’s all about people. 
 
For those of you who remember Andy Rooney's commentaries on 60 Minutes, you’ll recall that Andy would pick a subject and give his opinion about it.  Whether you agreed with Andy or not, most of us found him to be entertaining, if nothing more.  I’m kind of like Andy Rooney – I like to tell you what I think, and sometimes … (2 comments)

real estate classes: Buzz Words Spoken Around Here - 07/11/16 06:45 AM
The TEAM Hughes office is located in our home, which makes it really convenient.  On any given day, you’ll hear lots of  buzz words going around, and it occurred to me that, while we no longer practice real estate, we still speak some of the same language.
 
Buzz words spoken around here can include “value-added,” “We are who we are,” “leverage,” “make it pop,” and “passionate.”  These buzz words may mean something different to you, but no doubt you’ve either heard them before or you’ve used them in the practice of real estate.  We believe TEAM Hughes Real Estate School … (2 comments)

real estate classes: Why Many Real Estate Agents Drop Out - 07/09/16 11:58 PM
The practice of real estate has a huge attrition rate.  Some statistics indicate over 50%, others say over 80%, of all new real estate agents will fail.  Why many real estate agents drop out may come as a bit of a surprise to some.
 
With the real estate market improving, there are newer, less seasoned agents coming into the industry, and some of these agents come in with the wrong mindset.  We’ve always seen new agents who come in with the hopes of “making it big.”  Some view the practice of real estate to be relatively easy and they, therefore, … (1 comments)

real estate classes: Some Things You Need to Know About Practicing Real Estate - 07/07/16 09:39 AM
Becoming a real estate agent is exciting, but there are some things you need to know about practicing real estate before you jump in and take off.  In this industry there is a huge turnover of agents.  The National Association of REALTORS® doesn’t necessarily paint a positive picture, but then again, neither does TEAM Hughes.  We believe it’s possible for every one of our students to make a wonderful living in their new career.  We do know, however, that many students who go on to get their license will fall by the wayside within the first year.
 
Some things you … (1 comments)

real estate classes: What are the Costs to Get Started in Florida? - 07/06/16 07:15 AM
Many prospective students call our school and their first question is, “What are the costs to get started?”  This question can be answered in one of two ways.  We can either talk about the initial costs to get a license or we can talk about the costs to really get started in a real estate career.
 
Many times over the years, I’ve reminded students that some professions require a whole lot more money than real estate agents need to consider.  To become an attorney, the average cost is exorbitant!  Pretty expensive stuff!    Doctors require even more! 
                                                                                      
Some … (3 comments)