Real Estate Is Easy!

I love the title of this post.  Sharing what we do behind the scenes for our clients is always a surprise to those who believe we put signs in the yards of our sellers' homes and show a house or two to our buyer clients. They are also shocked to hear that we are independent contractors with expenses.

Those stats on Realtor vs licensees is uncanny; the way it is 50% regardless of the market.  It is weighted towards Realtors in Vermont (I think)  but we have plenty of part time licensees.  

You nailed it Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS!  You hit on so many points that ring true. (As an aside, sometimes it feels like there are over a million Realtors right here in metro-Phoenix!) Anyway, no matter if we do the 200+ things on each transation our clients may not be aware of or otherwise acknowledge, or 400+, they will still not see our value and claim we "get paid a lot for doing almost nothing".  For those of us in the industry that give it all we have with each buyer or seller, it is insulting and it hurts to be jammed into that category. That said, it doesn't and won't deter us from continuing to be thorough, keep our clients best interest in mind, and be as professional as possible in the process. If we collectively do this, we can all turn around these attitudes one client at a time.

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS thank you for speaking up. This is a much needed topic that needs to go beyond this post. The problem is not the number of agents, but the quality of their work. Most of the agents on AR are quality and strive for excellence. The unfortunate fact is that it does not take a lot of effort to be in the top 10%. 

Inman did a great disservice to the industry when they published an article by a woman who declared that "this is an easy way to make money".

We should be smoking out the ears from such.

We should all implore our local boards to make sure the highest quality of education is provided. 

I think we need to look at Brokers and encourage them to become more involved and to set up Mentors and encourage the agents to get properly educated.

It all boils down to the consumer. The bottom line is the consumer. Are we doing our duty to serve the consumer with the quality that they deserve?

I study all the time in order to provide the people I serve with what is best for them.

Thanks for raising the issue.

Realtor or Sales Agents, I look at the difference between being Full Time or treating it as a hobby. Will the consumer ever know the difference?

 THOMASood post J. NELSON, REALTOR, CRS

Good post. Having fewer competitors is not the answer.  I believe the answer is each of us being able to articulate our value to a potential client and our superior skill/performance.  For all practical purposes every human being in our market has or has had a license. The 90/10 rule still applies.  10% of us will always to 90% of the transactions.

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS I wrote a blog post here on AR....oh, probably somewhere around 2008 about how many agents were getting out and how when (back then I was actually thinking IF) the market recovered would they come back. And of course they did and brought some friends ;-)

Thomas,

 I must say I have been blessed with very knowledgeable and appreciative clients. Even (and maybe more so) with buyer clients. My knowledge, experience with building and diligence in finding a fitting property is not lost on them and they show their appreciation. 

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS   Many people think real estate is easy.  Some think we walk with a set of keys and are nothing but door openers. 

We know there is much, much more that goes into a transaction.  We need to make sure our buyers and sellers know, as well.

Congratulations on a well-deserved feature!

I have been licensed for over 15 years.  In my opinion, it is sad that the consumer does not really understand the difference between a part time and  a less knowledgeble agent and  full time professional and experienced Realtor.  But the consumers are not to blame and Buyers and Sellers can make decisions with emotion and without due dilegence. 

As a survivor of the Great Recession I strongly agree with your closing line.

 The fiery furnace of experience strips away the dross; only the gold remains.

Great post and many of these are things that need more attention and the public needs to take notice. Too often sellers rely on shiny objects and such and list only to find out that it was smoke and mirrors. Those of us who have been through the trenches and survived year after year and make it look easy often don't get the public to understand how difficult this business is. I like you comment on "i like people and homes" and as a team leader when an agent comes in for an interview and says that I smile and quietly say...next. If one goes in with that idea as the #1 reason to be in the business it's not going to work on my team. There are way too many licenses handed out and until that changes this industry will suffer from lack of experience and high turnover. Brokers need to stop throwing $#IT against a wall and hoping some stick. It's not good for the consumer or their business.

If we do not value our services why should or would anyone else.  Just like my mechanic says when he gives me the estimate, "This is what I think it will take to get you going down the road in the vehicle you want to be in."  If I want to pay less, then I am going to get less.

Great stats.  I never realized the numbers were that far apart - being licenced with or without NAR.  Wow!  Good to know.  And I always say, a Realtor's work is never done.

Great post! I remember back in 2007-2011 when most agents were saying that they didn't  know how to do a short sale transaction. Moreover, they did not bother to learn how to do it.  They did not like the idea of dealing with the banks, all the paperwork, getting pay eight months later or taking the chance of not getting pay at all. Sometimes it took more than a year for a property to close escrow o. Some of us were there to assist every single homeowner in our communities with information, help with loan modification and whatever was need it.  We are there for the good, the bad and the ugly.

Too many people think this job IS easy. I see so many 'retired' pp try to get in the business and many of them don't really work it .  I feel to really serve your customer, it must be  a FULL TIME job, not just a part time gig. Without the motivation to earn a living and dedicated yourself to learning the market, neighborhoods, contracts, form relationships with other agents and contractors --why do it?

Just last week, someone I've known for years texted me with "things are slow at work; I'm thinking of going into real estate." She thinks it'll be easy money...I wish! Great post!

Ah oh so true Thomas - those of us who inherently love the business and who can adapt to change did survive the great recession.   The experience we gained helping people through that period is irreplaceable.    I'm proud to be a survivor and a REALTOR!

Spot on Thomas!  Trying to convey our value is a constant effort and worth it. By continuing to stay in touch, communicating the process and our value, we earn that commission and the respect of our clients!

You should add at the end of the 2oth Century we had only 750,000 NAR members and in 2006 at the heighth of the real estate industry fraud and era of low hanging fruit we had 1.374 million. We will see the tipping point this year.