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Do you really want them to know you're NEW????... Seriously, Seriously...

By Shelley D. McDaniel

Real Estate Agent with EXiT REALTY CENTRAL

January 06, 2008 12:32 PM

How many of us have said 'oh yes, and you are my first', my first listing, my first buyer, my first contract that I've had to write over 3 to 4 times because of nerves, upset stomach praying all goes well.....? We all know who's new, they just started yesterday or last week or last month, but do we really inform our clients, buyers, sellers, investors....? Well, did you? I'm so curious to know, now if it's your mom or aunt or distant cousin who's buying a house from you then family is okay, really, they already know how long you've been in the business. I find it hilarious when I hear other agents that went to R/E school with me say, 'oh I'm in my first year', well I've said that too, but never 'Oh I'm new, No experience but I'll get you through'. Just a thought from a rookie in her first year... lol really two now.

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Jennifer Hartwick

Crane and Crane Real Estate - Columbia, MO

We'll my first was a personal friend buying her first condo and yes she knew that she was my first transaction. So how about 2 out of my first five knew, the others didn't ask and I don't think they would have guessed.

Jan 06, 2008 12:53 PM

Kay Baxter

Coldwell Banker King Thompson - Buckeye Lake, OH

I have anxiously waited for this question to be asked of me but not once has it come up. I am lucky though in that I have bought and sold numerous properties of my own over the years so I am familiar with how contracts are written etc. I do think that makes a big difference

Jan 07, 2008 10:36 AM

Katy Crofts

Keller Williams Realty - Olympia - Olympia, WA

Realtor - Olympia, WA

I still struggle with this also, being new. I have sold one house and my buyers did not know it was my first transaction. They never asked, so I never said. I was quite nervous about it really, but it was a fairly smooth transaction, so with help from my broker, I managed to get through to the end without my buyers ever knowing. I recently had a listing appointment and the sellers asked about my experience. I was totally upfront with them, but also emphasized my previous sales and marketing experience and that I am in a coaching relationship with my broker and they provide direct support to me when needed.

You just have to reach down and find the confidence that you have the ability to get through it!

Jan 07, 2008 10:55 AM

Phil Bailey

Glory International Real Estate Co - Deltona, FL

Realtor - Deltona, Florida

This is a good question and one that has me wondering. I am only two months old in this business at 49 years of age. I have been in sales and sales management most of my life so I can walk the walk. I have been on a few listing appointments and am working with my first buyer. Not one person has asked me if I am new or what is my experience. I believe it is all how you present yourself. I would never lie to a client but I'm not going to come right out and proclaim "I'm a newbie!"

Like any other sales effort, if I am professional and know the answers to the questions before they are asked, then I don't believe I will be asked the question often. Good luck...

Jan 07, 2008 11:44 AM

DELETE! Account

Issaquah, WA

I have a few approachs that I take when it comes to this question:

I started working in real estate in November of 2006 so in '07 when people would ask I'd say, "I started with my company last year." This makes it seem like longer and by putting in "my company" that leaves it open for assumptions that you previous worked for another company. One time after I gave that answer the person asked me "when last year" and I told them. I will never lie!

Sometimes I will be completely up front after feeling out what kind of impact it would have. I had a listing appointment a month ago where they were interviewing several agents. They asked that dreaded question at the end and I gave them the exact answer. I did this because I got the feeling that if I gave them my less direct answer, they would have asked for specifics and I would come out looking like I didn't have enough confidence or experience to give them a direct answer.

If you have a mentor, I would use him/her to direct attentions away from exactly how long you've been in the business. Say your mentor has been a Realtor for 10 years. You can say, "I work with another great Realtor and between the two of us we have over 10 years experience."

You never have to lie, you just glorify the truth. With everyone that I've worked with, I have ended up telling them the facts after we have established a good relationship. I haven't lost a client yet, and I get referals from everyone. Good luck. It's very hard to avoid that question. Just show confidence that you know what you're doing and that will shine through!

Whitney: I suggest that you don't offer the information, but if someone asks you, you should be truthful. There are enough people in this business that are dishonest. You don't want to be one of them.

Jan 07, 2008 01:04 PM

Shelley D. McDaniel

EXiT REALTY CENTRAL - Norfolk, VA

Thank you so much for your advice and I always tell the truth, even though never asked of a client how long I've been in the business, I have been asked at networking events and people are suprised that it's not been a full year yet, they thought I've been in the business much longer so I guess I'm doing something right, as you say it's all in how you present yourself, the complete package and know the answers before they are asked. Thanks again..

Jan 07, 2008 01:36 PM

LaNita Cates

REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

I told everyone I met "I've only been doing this 3 months or 7 months or whatever". Now my feedback was always "wow, you are so good I can't believe you are new". I always assured them that my experience didn't matter because I had a safety net = my broker. If I didn't have an answer, my broker would. I never had anyone not use me because I was new.

Jan 08, 2008 05:11 AM

Latonia Parks

Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC

Certified Military Relocation Expert

I have been asked this question outright and had to come up with the truth. In casual conversations, I tell them I have been "involved" in RE for almost 1 year. I started my class last Feb so I am still in the truth. Sometimes I have tell them I bought and sold personal real estate for the past 5 years and just became licensed almost a year ago. How does that one sound???

Great post!

Jan 08, 2008 07:30 AM

Dawn Coulter

eXp Realty, LLC - Bloomsburg, PA

Helping clients say "Hello" to a "Good-Buy"....

I haven't gone as far as saying my first buyer, etc...

BUT I am VERY proud to tell potential clients the amount of time I have been an agent. What's wrong with that? I know I have just as much to offer a seller as a seasoned agent. I accent what I do for my customers that makes me stand out from a seasoned agent.

Jan 09, 2008 02:19 PM

May Elford

Team 3000 Realty Ltd. - Burnaby, BC

It's really interesting. I don't tell my clients that I'm new and inexperienced. I always try to assist them with what I know. Unless they ask me, then I have to be honest by saying that I'm in my first year and it has been incredible. Know the market and know what you sell.... :)

Jan 11, 2008 10:26 AM

Rosemary Brooks

BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA

The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

They don't ask I don't tell. I do my homework before I go out and I work on being professional. SO it does show as much.

Jan 11, 2008 03:46 PM

Gail Robinson

William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT

CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

I refused to send out the free postcards that my office provided to introduce myself. I knew I had a mentor and a team of other agents behind me, so I never acted as if I was new and nervous. I acted as if I had been doing this forever. If someone asked me directly I told them, but very few did. They took my self-assuredness and calmness for experience. My second listing was a million dollar plus home.

Jan 13, 2008 01:49 PM

LaNita Cates

REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

I just had this come up again yesterday and I told them I've been a realtor for only one year and they didn't have one issue with that. I think it's how you handle the question.

Jan 15, 2008 09:03 AM