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How I got into Real Estate.

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Group of SW Florida KYRE# 70918

Now that is a great subject. Considering I have done so many things in my life, where do I start?

OK so when I got out of the service in 1975 I was offered a chance to go into real estate but turned it down.

Move forward to 1990 when I met my wife and decided to go into business in marketing and eventially web design. Then the big bomb hit for technology at the first of the 2000's and we just kept on going, not knowing that our once highly profitable and well known business was doomed to start failing. Finally in May of 2008 we realized something had to give and therefor my salary went by the wayside. I started looking around for what I wanted to be when I grow up and finally looked at real estate.

I went to class in September and October and went for my license in November. I interviewed with several companies and choose Keller Williams.

All my friends told me it was the worst time it was to be in business. Other agents (not in Keller Williams) sang the blues about how bad it was. Thank goodness I did not listen to them. I took the classes offered at my office, Did the lead gen that I needed to do and my first year closed 14 properties and never have seen below 30 homes per year since. I love what I do and my clients can tell it.

If I had one thing to say to someone considering going into the business it would be, "have 4 months of reserves and do not give up. Write a business plan, don't listen to others who are negative about their business, and remember that whatever you do today in your real estate business will effect your paycheck in 6 weeks."

Show All Comments Sort:
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Rick,

Congrats!  Welcome to KW and to AR.....you have a plan and you are on your way....I hope for great success.

May 14, 2012 05:43 AM
Lee Alley
Pro Mobile Photo - Snohomish, WA
DIY Your Own Expert Smartphone Photography

That's an impressive career-recovery, and an impressive startup record, Rick.  Congratulations.  Hope you'll share some of your secrets. 

Sep 08, 2012 10:56 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Good advice to those just starting out.

Sep 09, 2012 12:16 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I told someone thinking of starting her own brokerage that it was a great time. If you can have success now, just imagine your success in great times

Sep 09, 2012 12:49 AM
Pam Ruckriegel
Louisville Real Estate Pros - 502-435-5524 - Louisville, KY
Negotiating the Best Deal for You!

Congrats on the feature Rick!  Way to go.  You've done an awesome job of promoting real estate and our office at KW Louisville East.  I know your clients see your passion for real estate and that is one of the reasons you do so well.  Keep up the good work!

Sep 09, 2012 01:08 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Rick, I enjoyed your post and your positive approach to selling real estate. Tammy is right.  If we can achieve success now, there is even greater hope for the future!

Sep 09, 2012 01:27 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker
The good thing about having gone into real estate at the downturn is that other agents dropped like flies, they could not handle the hard times. I did the same, came in when it took a nosedive. But it was a tremendous learning experience because real estate will never again be what it was. We now have to be much better educated with all the new laws, rules and regulations.
Sep 09, 2012 01:54 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Great post. Your success is determined by YOU and who you hang out with, so pick your associates carefully and always be valuable with your time, especially in this business. Best of success, I'm sure you'll reach all of your goals.

Sep 09, 2012 02:00 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Rick:

It seems to me that your previous business of web design and the technology field was a perfect prelude to entering real estate.  Good luck to you and have fun with boot camp.

Sep 09, 2012 04:08 AM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

Good Luck Rick!  I hope KW and real estate are good to you.

Sep 09, 2012 11:55 AM
Michael Murphy
Bienvenidos Real Estate - Parksville, BC

Hi Rick...great advice and you found the right recipe

Sep 10, 2012 01:36 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I suspect your career in Web Site Building has helped you in Real Estate.  Good work.

Sep 10, 2012 07:11 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team
Hi Rick, great story. I got out of the service in '73 and went to work for big and small companies. Finally in 2006 we went into business for ourselves and have never looked back!
Sep 10, 2012 09:03 AM
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

You picked the best company out there. Congratulations on making the leap, and blessings to your business.

Sep 25, 2012 08:12 AM