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I've Made The Leap

By Gene Donohue CPO

Education & Training with CPO Academy

October 24, 2011 04:17 AM

I've been lurking around ActiveRain for a few months. When I cam across the site I was in property management and was thinking about getting my Real Estate license. What a great resource ActiveRain is. I have learned so much from reading the different blogs.

Making The Leap

Well I am proud to say that as of October 18th 2011, after passing my state test, I have officially became a Real Estate Agent! Let me say that I'm really excited about building a successful business that will help me fund my golden years! I know I've chosen the right Broker to do it with as well!

On the same day I became an Agent I also took the additional step of officially becoming a Rainmaker! Being on ActiveRain before I became an Agent I believe will give me the edge over other new Agents, and maybe even some of the veterans.

I've chosen to become an Exclusive Buyer's Agent. One of things I recognized when I was property manager (I specilized in single family homes) was that I really enjoyed helping people find the right home. I also believe that Buyer representation has been lacking within the industry and buyer clients need the fiduciary duties just as much as a seller client does.

So I really look forward to learning and growing with the help of the ActiveRain family. I'll keep you updated so stay tuned!

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Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I truly am exited to be in this industry and part of ActiveRain. Being exposed to the industry before joining was also a blessing because I realized in order to be successful I needed to be around people who are upbeat and not sulking around the office complaining about business.

Oct 24, 2011 11:53 PM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

I have been in The Rain for over 4 years now and have to tell you that it is an awesome place! You can post questions here for Members Only and get advice and answers from your peers. Take advantage of ActiveRain University as well!!!

Oct 27, 2011 04:46 AM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Wendy, you can always tell when a stager has been in a home. I never sell my personal homes without one!

Barbara-Jo, AR is definitely a big part of my business plan!

Oct 27, 2011 05:15 AM

Kim Carlson 480-993-9384

www.NowSellingAZHomes.com - Mesa, AZ

Valley of the Sun Realtor, Seller Specialist

I just became a rainmaker and ready to start blogging. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's good ideas for their blogs.

Oct 30, 2011 05:50 AM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Hi Kim! That's great that you and your sister get to work together! Here's to a propserous end of the year!

Oct 30, 2011 08:40 AM

Donna Quinlan

Keller Williams Realty - Newburyport, MA

Keller Williams Realtor & Career Consultant

Welcome to the world of real estate! Gravitating to what you love will surely help you succeed. Best of wishes to you!

Oct 30, 2011 01:54 PM

Steve Warrene

Your Town Realty - Lower Burrell, PA

Pittsburgh Realtor North and East Pgh.

Gene, the best advise I could give you is to burn all your bridges to fall back on. I got my licenses years ago and had a full time job, It took me a few years to take that jump to full time due to the fact that I had a consistent paycheck. It was my best/greatest move to quit that job and go full time. At first I was concerned about making ends meet but I put that behind me and went full force. Knowing I didn't have a back up plan I was more motivated to get more professional, knowledgeable, and in position to find buyers and sellers. Keep your head up, stay ahead of the pact (the other agents), and find solutions to every situation.

Oct 31, 2011 11:04 PM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Thank you for the advice Steve. Just this past week I got a call from a company in my past industry. They dangled a pretty good paycheck infront of me with GREAT benefits. I turned them down. As an agent I write my own paycheck and that's determined on how hard I work and I'm all in.

Oct 31, 2011 11:50 PM

Terri Camp Stevenson

DFW Texas Homes, LLC - Keller, TX

GRI, Realtor, DFW Homes Sales and Property Management

Gene - you cracked me up with your comment on the newbies contest. I thought, "I have to find out more about the new guy who made me laugh." I just started being active here this week too. Congratulations on getting licensed! Can't wait to read more from you.

Nov 03, 2011 10:22 AM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Thanks Terri! Congratulations on your feature about getting caught up in social networking. Being an AR member is one of the best educational opportunities we have as we learn from others actively engaged in the business. Some may call it the school of hard knocks I think it's a PHD in reality.

Nov 03, 2011 10:34 AM

Jeff Grant

Wilco Realty - Davidson, NC

Hi Gene

New myself here and share a similar story - Buyers Agent and looked in from outside AR for a few months. I've had my license over 10 years but I know the best way to get Buyer Clients is online. Good Luck!

Best,
Jeff

Nov 04, 2011 09:02 AM

Kristine M.

Virtual Real Estate Blogger & Marketing Specialist - Portland, OR

Real Estate Blogger & Marketing Specialist

Hi Gene~

Welcome to ActiveRain! It's a wonderful social network, I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting folks & interacting with them here. Many agents have been very successful with referrals and exchanging business services. I've been assisting Realtors for nearly 20 years now & have met many clients through ActiveRain.

If you are in need of any real estate marketing assistance, I'm glad to help you out. I also have a real estate marketing newsletter you may be interested in receiving ($15.00 = 1 year subscription 52 issues). I send it out weekly by email that contains marketing tips, advice & guidance. To view my service, please visit my blog: http://wavenetwork.wordpress.com/real-estate-services/

I look forward to reading your posts!

Socially Yours,
:) Kristine
wavenetwork@live.com
http://wavenetwork.wordpress.com

Nov 06, 2011 07:19 AM

Doug Anderson

Tucker Associates Real Estate Services - Danville, CA

Bay Area Real Estate Views

Congratulations Gene on both your career change as well as finding Active Rain. I am sure you will enjoy the platform as much as I do. All the best with your new endeavors!!!

Nov 07, 2011 01:38 PM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Thank you Jeff, Kristine and Doug. Finding the AR community before I made the plunge was a deciding factor in finally listening to that inner voice telling me real estate is where I need to be.

Nov 08, 2011 07:58 AM

Ross Therrien

Prudential Verani Realty, Londonderry,New Hampshire - Londonderry, NH

Realtor, Broker Associate

I wish the internet was around when I first started 20+ years ago. The industry changes constantly and activerain is an incredible source of knowledge. Always sharing.

Nov 09, 2011 11:43 AM

Jennifer Robinson

Starkey Mortgage - Where PEOPLE come first! - Montgomery, AL

NMLSR# 190994/AL#50092, Conventional, FHA, VA, Step Up and USDA

Congratulations and good luck in your new real estate career! I am new to Active Rain as well and am learning my way around, too! Best of luck!

Nov 14, 2011 02:52 PM

The Indy Beacon Group of Keller Williams Indianapolis Real Estate

Indianapolis, IN

Wow! Congratulations! Very exciting. Active Rain is an amazing resource. I love my colleagues here! Congrats again!

Nov 16, 2011 12:44 AM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Ross, I think the Internet makes this choice of profession more appealing to me. BTW, I lived in Keene NH for 25 years before making my way south.

Jennifer, I found taking the orientation and seo class to be very helpful.

Deb, yes it definitely is an amazing resource. I've scheduled an hour each day to spend on AR. I consider it my "Masters in Real Estate".

Nov 16, 2011 02:51 AM

Mark Higareda

United Real Estate Southwest - Temecula, CA

Congratulations!! I am also new to Active Rain and I have only joined a couple of days ago and I can definitely see the benefits of becoming a Rainmaker. I wish you all the best of luck in this business!

~Higareda Team

Dec 07, 2011 12:55 PM

Gene Donohue CPO

CPO Academy - Apex, NC

Helping Agents Build The Business They Love!

Hi Mark and congratulations to you as well! The information I've received on SEO is already paying off as I'm seeing myself come up on the first page on google in a couple of areas.

Dec 08, 2011 04:15 AM