Special offer

Lessons learned by a RE Newbie

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott 101596

Over my first couple of months in real estate I have learned volumes about marketing, about people, and about why I love this job.  Here is a brief list of what I now know:

 * You will never have as much time or money as you have marketing ideas in real estate. (Postcards, Farming, Networking, Trulia, Blogging, Buying leads, REOs, websites, expired listings, FSBOs, relocations, Foreclosures, one and on and on...)

* Ongoing contact with your database is priceless. (I just got a listing because the client felt her previous agent was not as driven as I am because I send her a lot of emails).

* If you ask everyone for what you want, you will be amazed at how many people are willing to give it to you. Referrals, training, listings. My faith in the kindness of others is constantly renewed in this career.

* Sellers sell to people, not contracts.  Presenting offers in person is a dying art, but even a cover letter can make all the difference in the world when you are in a multiple offer situation.

 * Good things come in small sales. My first-time home buyers who are very emotionally invested in their purchase are likely to be life-long customers and friends. These are often the most rewarding transactions.

 

 

* If someone calls to ask if you are accepting buyers and seller they are trying to sell you leads. (No offense to housevalues.com, realtytrac.com, getmyhomesvalue.com, and I'm really trying to sell you something.com, but I've only been in real estate for a couple of months and I can see they could all use a new sales-pitch).

* Real Estate is the most rewarding and challenging career. Over the last couple of months I have helped a couple find their first home together just before their wedding. I have helped a client get out of an apartment where the mold problem was so bad it was giving her daughter seizures.  I have helped a family relocate half-way across the country into a rental site-unseen until we find them a new home to purchase.  I am helping a client locate a home at an air-park to accommodate a client's plane. I have shown million dollar homes, and REOs that should be condemned.  Over the last couple of month I have learned about marketing, and transactions, and legal issues, mortgages, foreclosures, and escrow. I have learned about people and most importantly I have learned about myself.

The most important thing that I have learned is:

 * I will always have more to learn about real estate.

Comments (44)

Alan Robinson
PTE REAL ESTATE GROUP - Phoenix, AZ
Hey, a warm welcome to you from the R/E community. I read your entry and felt touched that you had such great ambition and love to/from the community. It is these moments that you refer to which make me get up every day and come to the office. It's all about the *rewarding* experience. Emotionally, of course, not monetarily.
May 08, 2008 11:16 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Congratulations for leaning so much early in your career.  It will stay with you forever.  This is a great career.  Enjoy!
May 08, 2008 11:36 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Wow, I was no where near as experienced as you are at the same point in my real estate career!  I have a feeling that you will be here teaching us all for a long time. 
May 08, 2008 01:25 PM
Mary Buchner
Realty USA - Amherst/Clarence - Buffalo, NY
Amherst NY Real Estate, Relocation and Buffalo Homes for sale

Great post,  Enjoy real estate, don't get discouraged and keep on learning

 

May 08, 2008 01:26 PM
Paul Boyles
Classic Properties - Clarks Summit, PA

Ann,

 Great post.  I have been in the business just over a year and feel the same way you do, but could never put it so well.  thanks!

May 08, 2008 01:31 PM
Tony Brust
Pekin, IL
Great post.  I am tucking it away in the memory banks.
May 08, 2008 01:35 PM
Nichole Tigges & Monique Riddle
Century 21 Mike Myers Realty, Inc. - Norwalk, OH
Sounds like your first few months are going GREAT! Keep up the good work! Your learning fast!
May 08, 2008 02:02 PM
Nichole Tigges & Monique Riddle
Century 21 Mike Myers Realty, Inc. - Norwalk, OH
Sounds like your first few months are going GREAT! Keep up the good work! Your learning fast!
May 08, 2008 02:02 PM
June Watson
Weichert Realtors, ProSouth - Florence, AL
Realtor , NW Alabama
I'm always happy to meet someone that loves what they do as much as I do! Stay positive - you're a real encouragement.
May 08, 2008 02:02 PM
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

Ann,

Great post.  I was a newbie last year.  Hang around AR and you'll always keep learning!  I think you're gonna do great in this career!

May 08, 2008 02:38 PM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI
Welcome to real estate Ann. You are going to be very successful.
May 08, 2008 03:36 PM
Helga Reyes~Realtor Associate~
Century 21 Prime Properties - New Milford, NJ
I am happy to hear great post in this community. Keep it up. I am learning a lot just by reading post like this.
May 08, 2008 04:03 PM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Ann, I join with the others who have commented to your post. Excellent!!! ;-) Welcome aboard!!

Pepper

 

May 08, 2008 04:09 PM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
Great post. It's true, you never really learn everything in real estate. It can change on you too! Congrats on the feature.
May 08, 2008 04:44 PM
Justin Williams
Independent - Virginia Beach, VA
Loan Officer
Ann great job in learning fast and becoming humble in the knowledge you have bestowed upon.  It doesn't matter how long you been in the business, we are always striving to achieve more knowledge and greatness, its a never ending battle that makes our career exciting.  Im glad you joined our business and wish you nothing but success.
May 08, 2008 05:48 PM
Katie Graham
Cherry Creek Properties, LLC - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate

Ann, your attitude is great. I was a mentor in my office for several years and I could tell right away if an agent was going to make it in the business or not. You seem to have the right skill set to become a wonderfully successful agent. Thanks for the post.

May 09, 2008 04:45 AM
Richard Schardt
Keller Williams Realty - Kernersville, NC
Triad NC Real Estate

Ann, in one word, Wow! Thank you for that post from someone newer than yourself. Your thoughts are most inspiring, and come at just the right time for me. I wish you great continued success!

May 10, 2008 01:54 PM
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL
Huntsville AL MLS

Ann, You go girl! You have learned in a short period of time what it has taken many of us years to learn! With an attitude like yours, you are bound for success! Keep up the good work. 

May 15, 2008 01:14 AM
Dawn Maloney
RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH
330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio

Should be required reading, smart realtor lady!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Jun 13, 2008 01:54 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

It's been a little bit since you first joined the active|rain community. I look forward to networking with you in the near future. Best of luck and see you around.

Jun 13, 2008 06:19 PM