What Entices People to Begin a Real Estate Career?

This is a stellar explanation of what it takes to be an agent, and why many choose it as a career. I'm a former broadcaster, Bernie is an attorney, We married each other late in life, and decided we wanted to be able to work together and work as long as we wanted as we age. I was drawn to Real Estate at the Street of Dreams broadcasts I did each year as it introduced me to many agents and builders. The industry fascinated me. Bernie,  a land developer on the side, felt it was a good fit for him too. We both got our licenses in 2004. The bottom line as you mention, always putting the client - and the deal, first. Always. 

Nailed it.  For me, my chosen profession of broadcasting was just not working.  I was not fitting and I wanted more in my life than working retail.  Real estate was a path of last resort, and thankfully, my work ethic and passion for what i do, has made it work for me.

Success does not come without sacrifice in this job.  It is an intense time suck, but if you love what you do, it doesn't feel like it.  I'm a worker bee with a lot of creativity and a mind that absorbs contractual stuff like a sponge.  This profession fits me like a glove, but it is not easy.

most join our profession because someone they know well is a well-versed agent and makes it look easy.... it's  "well if she can do it, I certainly can to"..... NOT....they last about 6 months Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents 

Very true, not many grow up saying that is what they want to be.

Before I went into real estate, I looked around for something I could do that I would love, and would put me on equal footing with men when it came to income.  Real estate or insurance seemed the obvious choice.

Elizabeth, you were meant to be a REALTOR from an early age!   I was helping my husband with some remodeling, and we decided maybe we should fix and flip homes, and would save some money if one of us got our license.   We never flipped any homes, we got a divorce instead!  LOL

I aced my real estate exam.  I crammed and crammed for the four hour test.  I missed one question.  And, to this day I think it was a trick question. It asked, "What is the cost of a liquor license in California."  Answer "A" was obviously wrong.  But, the answer could be either "B" or "C."  "B" was $15,000, which was the cost if you bought directly from the state if you were fortunate enough to be one of those applicants selected in a lottery.  OR, "C" which was what the market would bear if you bought an existing license on the open market.

In California at the time (early 1980s), the insurance license test was equally as long.  I studied extensively once again.  However, just prior to my taking the test, the state dramatically changed the test.  I put the first creases on the test pamplet when I began.  Few of the questions in my study materials aligned with the questions asked.  However, I was the 3rd person in the room to finish, and I did get 100%.

I just had this conversation last weekend Elizabeth "how did you get into Real Estate?" .. typically this questions is followed by "Do you love it?". 

What enticed me was my friend's mom when I was an exchange student in the mid-90s, the new-to-me-profession (after growing up behind the Wall), and the fact that no one wanted to hire me after I immigrated for good (after traveling back and forth for years). Here I was, a legal immigrant with a work permit who had lived in and experienced different countries/cultures, was fluent in 2 languages, had just earned a dual Master's degree, had worked since she was 12 years old, but who was also a newly-wedded military spouse! I was either told that they wouldn't want to risk investing in me since we'll be moving soon anyway, or that I was overqualified and they couldn't pay me what I was worth. 

So we bought a fixer-upper to flip and I took classes to get my RE license. That was 15 years and a lifetime ago.  And, yes, I do love it (most days). 

Love your post, Elizabeth and completely agree, from start to finish! If focus is misdirected, this business would crumble. Many are in it for what they think is wealth - that is limited to very few HIGHLY focused individuals!

Happy Friday!

Hi Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents - bandying my name about again I see while I was dealing with clients who (1) wants to open up a wine tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea and is now looking for a Monterey vineyard to buy or start (2) Texan who wants to open a restaurant in Pacific Grove (3) someone who is looking for a big property for a health retreat (4) someone looking for a big pieace of land for who knows what and (5) another wants a get-away. Life is never dull when you do all kinds of real estate like I do. Why do I do this? Maybe still want to buy that coffee farm and be your vacation rental neighbor!