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IT'S A NEW MARKET FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS

By
Real Estate Agent with Realtor

I have been in real estate for approximately 7 years.  When the market was such that all an agent had to do was put a sign in the yard and they would receive multiple offers, it brought out the one-hit-wonders.  These were inexperienced agents who could not write a good contract to protect their client, did not know what a marketing plan was, and were in real estate just for the money. Now that the market has shifted those agents have left the business and gone back to their real jobs.  I say "THANK GOD"!  Because these agents were accidents waiting to happen, and did not have the first clue how to work in real estate.

Pack of Wolves 

<---------- Massive Real Estate Exodus

 

 

In this NEW MARKET, Realtors are finding that the days of putting a sign in the yard and listing a property on the MLS and getting multiple offers are long gone.  Thus the mass exodus.  To sell a home in this market, or to find a qualified buyer, Realtors have to market their skills, have experience, and invest time and money into their business.  And experienced agents know that you have to be a Realtor for the right reasons.  You don't get paid well enough in the beginning to be in it for the money.  You invest a lot of money in Association dues, supra key, lock boxes, signs, advertising, mailings, gas, car insurance, etc., and you don't get paid until you sell a home you listed or find the right home for a buyer and it closes escrow.  So your first paycheck is 2 to 6 months out depending on the market.  You spend 16 hour days working to promote your business, begin your marketing, and learning how to protect your clients.  You have to pay your company, pay your broker, pay your transaction coordinator, and take what is left and support your family and promote your business.

So why would anyone want to be a Realtor when we have a bad reputation.  A reputation that marks us as money grubbing scoundrels who do nothing but collect an exorbitant commission for being the equivalent of a used car salesman. I think it is the satisfaction you get from helping your clients achieve "their" goals.  Weather it is buying, selling, or investing, you can be proud of a job well done.  Educating and keeping your clients informed is a lot like being a mentor.  And personally, there is no better feeling than mentoring a family through obtaining financing, locating the perfect home, and helping them through a 30 to 60 day escrow.  When you give them the keys to their new home, it is like giving them the keys to a brighter and better future.  Because, we all know that real estate has proven to be the best long term investment anyone can have.  You can't raise your kids in your stock portfolio or your retirement account.

So this message is to all the buyers and sellers out there.  This NEW MARKET is offering great home prices, good interest rates, and the best Realtors in the business.  Realtors that truly have your best interest at heart and have the experience and know how to back it up.  There is no better time to make a purchase than right now.

Family 

I LOVE THIS NEW MARKET!  DON'T YOU?

Show All Comments Sort:
Charles Tharp
Prudential California Realty - Fontana, CA
Inland Empire, Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist
Very true. The best of the best are staying in the business and getting busier all of the time. We have 4 listings and 3 buyers right now and getting more everyday.
Mar 25, 2008 05:45 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor
Kathryn, thanks for an uplifting, realistic assessment of today's market. I'm glad you want to be a part of the present - and the future.
Mar 25, 2008 05:49 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Kathryn.  Great post.  Your post describes my feelings.

Keep up the good work,

Ken

Mar 25, 2008 05:50 AM
Greg Steffens
Mountain Country Realty - Lake Arrowhead, CA
I, too, have been in real estate sales for the last 7 years or so and have watched the radical change in the market.  For a time, everyone you talked to just got their real estate license.  Then, when the market changed and they realized that money didn't grow on trees, they got disillusioned and left.  I'm sure more will go.  Cream rises and persistence pays off!
Mar 25, 2008 06:07 AM
Marc Baysek
Iron Horse Properties, LLC - Rockingham, NC
Iron Horse Properties

Being new to Real Estate and doing just fine, I hope this means I'm one of those who can make it in RE.

Mar 25, 2008 06:11 AM
Kathryn Tharp
Realtor - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Rancho Cucamonga, Real Estate Specialist
Marc, to make it you can't hope (no)  you have to know.  Change your mindset.  Plus, you have already won half the battle by being a member of Activerain.  Here you will get a hands on education that no school can give you and all the mentoring you will need. 
Mar 25, 2008 10:50 AM
Kathryn Tharp
Realtor - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Rancho Cucamonga, Real Estate Specialist
Thank you for the feed back.  It is nice to know that I am not the only one who thinks we are in one of the best markets we have had for a long time. 
Mar 25, 2008 10:52 AM
Rob Jacobs
Short sale pathways - Rockwood, MI
Short Sale Specialist
This really is a great time to be in real estate. The ones who are in it now for the love of the business and have the clients interests at heart will be rewarded when the market goes north again.
Mar 27, 2008 01:24 AM