Starting out in real estate can be a daunting adventure even for the most fearless new agent. Many get into real estate without a clue on how they are going to get started in the business. How do I make decisions on which office is best for me? What am I even looking for in an office? Why should I look at more than one office? Who do I talk to? What should I say?
Be a pre-license instructor I am asked frequently , "Now what?" There is not one simple answer. Every agent with a fresh new license has a big choice to make. Lot's of them come into real estate after a prompting from someone already in the field. That may be the first place to go to seek a job, but not the only place.
Agents need to ask themselves what they want out of their career. They need to know where they want to be in a year. Who is going to help me get to that goal in a year? How are they going to do that? What help do they have? Training? Where? How soon?
All of these questions are designed to help an agent get the most out of the company they want to work for and in turn help that company make a decision on whether you are right for them or not. The old answer to the question of "Who is hiring new agents?" was always easily answered with "Anyone!" Thats not the case these days. Not only are new agents a liability, the cost to train and educate a newbie can be a drag on company dollars. Agents that don't participate in training are an even greater liability to the company and to themselves.
If the company you plan to work for can't give you a definite promise on training, you probably should be looking for another company. Agents without training are like kids with matches. If you don't know what you are doing you should not be left alone! We can't afford agent who are costing time and money because their actions turn clients away or those that provide lousy service to clients.
So pick an area of specialty such as residential sales, rental, income producing properties, farmland. Then research of offices in your area that specialize in your interest. Next interview the office sales manager or broker to find out what they can do for you. You also should be able to provide a testimonial on what you can do for them. Or what you want to do. Ask about training, expenses, sales quotas, rules, regulations, policies, names of agents working for the company, even references.
Do your homework and you will find that the right company can help you build your career faster than you could struggling on your own. Be clear on what you want and what you expect. Most of all devote yourself to your goals, be true to them and to yourself.
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