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Advice to new real estate agents...have GUMPTION.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner CA#01772851 HI#RB21268

Over the past few years, several people have approached me about going into real estate. Several actually paid money for the course, but they didn't follow through. At first I thought I didn't convey a clear message, that real estate is a great business and if you work hard, it is very rewarding. Finally, I just stopped talking to them about it because they obviously didn't follow through with it.

This started to concern me because what if these wannabe agents had actually taken the test.

THEY OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT IT ENTAILS TO BE AN AGENT.

So here is my advice for new real estate agents.

#1. Make sure you really want to get into the business. Don't just talk about it, really do some research and find out what it entails to be a real estate agent. Although there are willing mentors - I would have been one for those people I talked to - there is so much more involved such as how to pay your bills at the start. No one will hand you a paycheck just because you've put a lot of effort into finding and servicing clients. You don't get paid until a transaction closes!

#2. Find a mentor whether it is your new broker or someone who is willing to take you under their wing until you've gotten your feet wet. When I now look back at the conversations I had with my several wannabe agents, none of them had a clue how to get the ball rolling. The only thing they seemed to be focused on was how much of a commission they could get from just ONE sale.

#3. On the other hand, you might be one of those people with lots of life experience, have possibly bought your own home a time or two and feel it IN YOUR BONES that you can do this! To those of you, I say, SOAR. Real estate has big rewards if you have the GUMPTION.

I am the last person who would want to talk someone out of becoming an agent, but I have come to the conclusion that this should be part of the discussion before the wannabe agent starts to spend big bucks to get their license and on association fees. 

This is my entry into the AR contest.

 

Posted by

Hella Rothwell at Carmel Beach during Concours WeekCarmel-by-the-Sea Beach and Pebble Beach Golf Course California

Whether buying or selling oceanfront, oceanview, commercial or any type of real estate in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel Valley and Big Sur, I can help you. Call me and let's meet in my Carmel-by-the-Sea office in Su Vecino Court on Dolores between 5th & 6th.

Or we can just chat on the phone to discuss your real estate needs.

Are you out of the area? No problem, I often never even meet my clients. The whole transaction is handled long distance.

As an independent real estate broker licensed in California and Hawaii, I can represent you with residential real estate, commercial properties & investment opportunities.

For more information

www.HellaRothwell.com & www.RothwellRealty.com

& www.HellaHawaii.com

Member: National Association of REALTORS, California Association of REALTORS, Hawaii Association of REALTORS, Del Norte Association of REALTORS, Honolulu Board of REALTORS. Also MLS Listings in California.

 ________________________________________________________________

Hella Mitschke Rothwell (R)

Real Estate Broker/Owner/Realtor®
Licensed in California #01772851 & Hawaii #RB-21268

Tel. 831-626-4000 

Fax 1-877-822-9332

ROTHWELL REALTY INC.: Su Vecino Court, Lincoln & Dolores between 5th & 6th, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

 

MAILING: P.O. Box 4554, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

 
Email: HellaRothwell@gmail.com


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Disclaimer: Hella Rothwell does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.

Comments(12)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good mornng, Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® you put a whole new definition to the word Gumption.... every real estate agent would be Blessed to have your Gumption.... you're my hero!

Jan 30, 2018 03:05 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Thank you, Barbara Todaro . I think "gumption" described what new agents need to have to get up every day and do this. It's not enough to wait and have others tell you what and how to do it.

Jan 30, 2018 05:45 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Great post, Hella... I can't remember the last time I heard someone use the word "gumption," but it's perfect in this context. As for your first point about making sure you want to get into the business, I have so often come across people who say "they want to try real estate because they like people." This is not a rationale for success.

Jan 30, 2018 04:36 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Nina Hollander - I've found that friends of wannabee agents keep telling them they would be a good at real estate, to a point that they seriously consider it. But that's not enough.

Jan 30, 2018 05:47 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am surprised by the number of people who get a license and then do nothing with it - 

Jan 30, 2018 04:53 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Lise Howe - I did that back in the 70s and then again at the end of 1980. Got my license and then didn't do anything. It wasn't until 2006 that I knew the time was right and I was ready.

Jan 30, 2018 05:49 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® ,

Love your entry into the contest! I've always liked the word gumption and you have plenty of it. I do see many who take the time to get their license and then don't work it! Many get ready to get ready!

Jan 30, 2018 05:19 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Dorie Dillard - I truly got tired of talking to these wannabee agents about it. It was like they wanted ME to pursuade THEM to take that final step and actually take the test. And then what? They really had no clear vision as to what being in the business actually entailed.

Jan 30, 2018 05:52 PM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I agree with your last paragraph. They should make a mandatory course before the licensing course...What You Really Don't Know About the Real Estate Business and Is This Right for You. 

I have offered to speak in Grand Junction at a pre licensing course. I will be talking about what it's really like to work in real estate. 

Jan 30, 2018 06:49 PM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Debbie Laity - No one really asks wannabe agents what THEIR expectations are and how different that is from reality. You would do a great service to these agents speaking to them about "what it's really like to work in real estate."

Jan 31, 2018 07:05 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Gumption - I haven't heard that word in a long time.  My dad often used it.  I like the way you have injected it into your advice to new real estate agents, Hella.

Jan 31, 2018 04:01 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Myrl Jeffcoat - "Gumption" is such an old fashioned word, but I do believe it's apt in real estate. It's like "giddyup", an urban dictionary word, I love those words. They have a friendly sound to them.

Jan 31, 2018 07:08 AM
Emily Medvec
eXp Realty LLC - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM

Morning Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® your one word take on what is needed and often missing - GUMPTION - is priceless. Keep soaring! There is no aerial view from the ground. Great speaking with you today too.

Jan 31, 2018 09:19 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Emily Medvec - And thank you for the call today. I'm so glad we are on the page. You have to have "gumption" in this business and not necessarily go where the crowd goes.

Jan 31, 2018 09:30 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Hi, Hella...I'm getting ready to write my post for the contest. I will publish it tonight. 

It's really picking up here in spite of the winter season. I have two listing appointments and I'm showing property all weekend. 

Jan 31, 2018 01:51 PM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Debbie Laity - Can't wait to read it! And happy to hear that you ditched the crutch so you can get around easier to all your listing appointments.

Jan 31, 2018 04:27 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hello Hella: I think it's fair to say that if a person does not "feel it in her bones" it doesn't mean she won't be successful, just that she will be far more likely to be enormously successful if she does feel it in her bones.

Feb 01, 2018 11:44 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents - That's kind of a weird expression, I just think many get talked into it by others, they tell them they would be perfect, know a lot of people, etc. etc. that after awhile, they believe it. But deep down, they don't FEEL it and need their hands held a lot.

Feb 01, 2018 12:12 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hi Hella: The woman who cleans my house in Kona is toying with the idea of becoming an agent. She wanted to "buy me lunch" to discuss it. She also said she is working on property management now, which she can do up to 6 houses without being licensed . . . 

Except that's not true. I think she knows it, too. So no, she should NOT go into real estate. We don't need more violators.

 

Feb 01, 2018 12:20 PM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Not only that, but she has to work under a licensed broker if she deals with any rents and deposits etc. There are a few exceptions like being an onsite manager.

Feb 03, 2018 03:35 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Gumption, Now there is a new one on me and one that is so true for sure.  Thanks for sharing.

 

Feb 03, 2018 07:01 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Will Hamm - It's kind of an old fashioned word but very apt in this case.

Feb 03, 2018 03:36 PM