"I am trying to make sense of it."
This post was originally published on October 20, 2006. Since I retired from active listing and selling and property management in 2011, I decided I need to remove old contact links and remove links to old websites and blogs.
Also, please keep in mind that I am no longer licensed and cannot be your real estate advocate. However, if you are looking to buy or sell a home or investment property in Wenatchee and don't know who to call, let me know. I can make some recommendations of highly qualified agents for you to interview and hire based on your specific needs. I get no financial compensation for these recommendations. I just want you to have a great buying or selling experience.
* * * * *
I have long been a proponent of stricter requirements to get a real estate license. Yesterday, I was given some startling, and alarming, numbers that make me want to start a full-fledged crusade.
Did you know, in Washington State, 1800 hours of training is required in order to get a beautician's license? If they want to color your hair, more training is required! In comparison, there are only 60 mandatory hours of study to take the test for a real estate license. How did that happen?
I find this more than a little confusing. The thing is, no matter what a beautician does to your hair it will grow out. The financial loss caused by a poorly handled real estate transaction can cost thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars. The emotional trauma is even more difficult to calculate.
Why Are Beauticians better trained than real estate agents? I certainly can’t answer that question, but I would definitely like to hear from someone who can. 
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
Information is FREE. Knowledge, Experience & Integrity are Priceless!
Bay Vista Realty - Land O Lakes, FL
I suggest you take a look at my picture. I am the unfortunate victim of a poorly trained beautician. Before that fateful day, I had locks like Fabio. But alas, now I look more like a grapefruit.
Oct 20, 2006 09:23 AM
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Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
REALTOR - The Villages, FL
Carol, Isn't it amazing?
Here in New York we have a 45 hr. requirement. In July 2008 it will change to 75hrs.
You should read one of my last blogs(condos/townhouses) about an agent with 1/2 yr. exp. and still not knowing what to do.
Oct 20, 2006 09:25 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Gary, I can't really see much of your hair from the photo... but you still have quite resemblance to Fabio.
Peter, I did read your blog, and left a comment, about the new agent.
Oct 20, 2006 09:51 AM
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!
Carol, I agree there definitely should be more training. I also think that Realtors that are "grandfathered" should have to attend a few courses. Rules change, laws change and technology changes.
However, I suspect that the hairdresser is more about "health" issues, rather than losing money. They are afraid of losing people. Which hopefully we haven't done yet:)
Oct 21, 2006 06:02 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Good point Karen. And, even as a veteran agent, I certainly wouldn't be opposed to taking more classes to a stepped up level of education.
Oct 21, 2006 07:15 AM
Bay Vista Realty - Land O Lakes, FL
There are so many classes out there for allof us. And it is proven statistically that the more education (in real Estate) that a Realtor has, the more successful they become.
Shoe polish again.....!!!!
Oct 31, 2006 12:08 AM
Windermere Real Estate / NCW - Leavenworth, WA
Serving Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain
I have a couple of ideas for licensing requirements. First of all, if you don't pass the test you should wait 6 months to take it again. We heard that a woman was going to get her license and then join our office. She kept retaking the test over and over. (Like Joe Pesci in Cousin Vinny) At what point do you need to realize that real estate might not be for you? Most agents don't make it 2 years, maybe we should make the barriers to entry a little tougher.
I'm also for more required CE. 30 hours every 2 years? Are you kidding? 30 hours a year would be nothing. How about 60 a year? For those of us who are full time that wouldn't be a problem at all.
Oct 31, 2006 09:51 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Geordie, I am all for stricter, much stricter, licensing and renewal regulations. I would have no problem with additional C.E. hours. But, beyond that, I think the brokers need to install some sort of mentoring program to get the agents properly trained. Many agents entering the business are thrown in to sink or swim. If would be valuable if agents were required to tutor under an experienced mentor for the first 3 - 5 transactions. I'm not sure how we'd monitor the quality of mentoring.
Oct 31, 2006 10:13 AM
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!
I do have to mention here that when I took the course for my Brokers license, it was taught by the #1 Broker/Owner, International Agent, who told us he took the sales license exam 5 times before he passed it.
His point in telling us that was: The classes that are required do not teach actual everyday real estate transactions.
These are what Realtors really need, not more CE.
Oct 31, 2006 11:43 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Karen, You do make a good point and that's why I endorse the idea of a mentoring program and not just throwing new agents out to the wolves. Nevertheless, it's important to have the intellectual knowledge of real estate. Plus, one benefit of CE classes is interacting with others and learning from each other. That does not happen with online classes.
Oct 31, 2006 11:49 AM
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!
Carol,
I agree. I was not suggesting online classes. They can be good for some subjects, like Lead, but there is a great deal of interaction in classes. I like going and meeting other Realtors and making new contacts.
I think the same type of schooling should be set up for the other (above) and also mentoring which I believe all Brokers are supposed to be doing:) hmmm
Oct 31, 2006 01:20 PM
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach
Such funny posts. I can see why updating these doesn't mean making many changes.
Jun 22, 2018 09:51 AM
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