real estate license: Are We There Yet? - 09/12/16 08:51 PM
Children have such little patience; they don’t understand the concept of time and miles, so along the trip, they always ask, “Are we there yet?”  The trip is long and arduous sometimes if Mom didn’t supply a myriad of travel activities to keep them entertained, and then, after what seems to be forever, they fall asleep and gently wile away the hours without even knowing it.
 
Real estate agents remind me of my grandchildren on a car trip, forever asking, “Are we there yet?”  Even though the stops along the way are many, they still have no comprehension that they must go … (1 comments)

real estate license: 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 license: 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 license: Back to School - 09/06/16 08:20 PM
Labor Day has passed, the days are slightly cooler, clearance sales abound, and Autumn feels like it’s right around the corner.  That can only mean one thing – it is back to school time!  Yaaay! 
 
We are empty nesters and are more in our “golden age,” so back to school has a different meaning to Bob and me.  This is the time of year when some parents realize their jobs are boring or they’ve reached the limit in pay grades or they just need a change.  For many parents, when the kids go back to school, the parents go back to … (2 comments)

real estate license: 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 license: Is Title Insurance Really Necessary? - 08/16/16 07:13 AM
Being an instructor, we get asked all kinds of interesting questions.  One question that is pretty popular among students happens to deal with a subject near and dear to my heart, i.e., “Is title insurance really necessary?”  Coming from a paralegal background, I had an opportunity to witness all kinds of peculiar lawsuits.  One I recall vividly was back many years, and I happened to have been a REALTOR® at the time, rather than a paralegal. 
 
A Mr. and Mrs. Buyer purchased a house and closed on their new home after having paid cash for it.  Mr. Buyer appeared … (0 comments)

real estate license: How Can My Granddaughters Remind Me of Real Estate? - 08/11/16 10:27 PM
My younger daughter, Sarah, and two granddaughters have been visiting us from Illinois.  Grace is 5 and Anna is 3.  We have been having the most wonderful time ever because this is the first time Sarah has been here without her husband, Marc.  We love Marc, but this has been a time I can have Sarah and the kids all to myself.  So, how can my granddaughters remind me of real estate?  They are so cute at that age, and doting on them is just part of the plan as you other grandparents already know.
 
We have a 16’ above-ground … (0 comments)

real estate license: What’s in Your Wallet? - 08/04/16 09:27 PM
Samuel L. Jackson is one of my favorite actors, and when he appears on TV and asks me, “What’s in your wallet?” I just want to give him everything in it!  He’s that convincing and he creates a sense of intimacy every time I hear that awesome voice of his.
 
I think “What’s in your wallet?” could be adapted to another arena – the practice of real estate.  If I were to ask, “What’s in your wallet?” would your answer reflect abundance?  If not, what happened?  Didn’t you originally get into practicing real estate to make money?  Are you making … (1 comments)

real estate license: 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 license: Now What? - 08/01/16 09:40 PM
So, you got your license – congratulations!  Now what?  What will you do with it?  Where will you “hang” it?  Once you activate it, what’s your next step?
 
We see many new students who aspire to becoming rich by selling real estate.  They get their license, they “hang” it somewhere and they wait for the broker or the mentor or the trainer to tell them exactly what to do.  If they don’t become successful within a few months, they drop out and blame it on the lack of training they received.
 
When I ask a student, “now what,” I’m … (0 comments)

real estate license: 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 license: A Look Into One of Our Classes - 07/27/16 11:44 PM
I would love to let you take a look into one of our classes.  TEAM Hughes is a unique type of real estate school in that we have a history of serving others.  Bob and I were blessed to have had an opportunity to serve in an RV ministry for about 9 years, and through that ministry, we came into contact with many people.  Our classes are kind of an extension of that heart service that he and I both share.
 
Let’s take a look into one of our classes.  We’ll go into the One-Week Fast Track Class and I’ll … (1 comments)

real estate license: REALTOR® or Real Estate Agent - 07/25/16 09:53 PM
In my line of work, I have a great opportunity to explain to my students the difference between the terms REALTOR® and Real Estate Agent.  Then I explain that each student will make the choice of becoming a REALTOR® or Real Estate Agent.  The brokerage firm where they “hang” their license will either be a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) or not, and that membership dictates the student’s official status of REALTOR® or Real Estate Agent.
 
I am a licensed Real Estate Broker in South Carolina, as well as Florida.  I am no longer a REALTOR® because … (1 comments)

real estate license: Commitment - 07/24/16 09:15 PM
Yesterday we tested our July students.  The exam included students from our One-Week Fast Track class as well as our Three-Week Evening Class.  Yesterday was a pretty good example of commitment.
 
Between both classes, we had three students commuting from Alabama, and I don’t mean right across the state line.  Nothing replaces commitment when there is a goal in sight.  One of our students, Ashica, drove from Mobile each day, which is at least an hour from the school.  Another drove from Brewton, AL, which is about an hour as well.  The third student got out of work at 5:00 … (1 comments)

real estate license: Real Estate Agents Need to be Nudged - 07/21/16 08:47 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 … (0 comments)

real estate license: The Skills You Will Need - 07/17/16 10:48 AM
In the practice of real estate, the skills you will need are voluminous and varied.  Many agents excel in the area of friendliness, making people feel welcomed, greeting strangers with warmth and caring, and all of these traits are excellent.  The skills you will need, however, go beyond your personality.
 
Personality is definitely included among the skills you will need to successfully practice real estate, but I’ve seen successful agents who do not emanate a “warm fuzzy” when they speak.  Those agents are the ones people assume are smart and “know their stuff.” There are agents who are to the … (0 comments)

real estate license: 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 license: Today Could Be Your Personal Freedom Day - 07/02/16 10:48 PM
It’s the 4th of July!  TEAM Hughes wishes you the most joyous and safest 4th of July ever!  Just think – today could be your personal freedom day.  Today could be your very own declaration of independence!  Why would you want to wait to break the chains that are binding you to a dead-end job or to a career that makes you feel you’re in a constant state of servitude?
 
Today could be your personal freedom day by taking that HUGE step toward the passion that’s been burning inside of you.  I recently read a quote by David Ramsey that … (1 comments)

real estate license: You May Need to Blog - 06/29/16 10:52 PM
If you are fairly new to the practice of real estate, you may need to blog.  Blogging is a way to express yourself and to bolster name recognition within whatever social media appeals to you.
 
If you have been practicing real estate for a long time, you may need to blog.  Some experienced agents have a tendency to rest on their laurels.  I practiced real estate many years, and became pretty well known in the market place.  I achieved lots of awards, much recognition from my peers, and was considered a successful REALTOR®.  Unfortunately, none of that matters now.  Out … (1 comments)

real estate license: Who Are Our Students? - 06/26/16 10:03 PM
We have a myriad of students who seek us out and who use our services to get their real estate license.  We have affluential students, students who need our financial help with tuition, students who feel they’re stuck in a job and going nowhere, and we have students who want to change the course of their destiny.  So, just who are our students?  Our students are your friends and your family; they are your neighbors and your co-workers.
 
Who are our students?  Sometimes our students are going through a divorce or have experienced a huge loss in their lives.  Just … (1 comments)