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Even The Lion That Hunts Everyday Misses A Meal

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Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Coastal Properties BROK.995683208

Even The Lion That Hunts Everyday Misses A Meal

Putting the finishing touches on your real estate course? Ready to work hard and earn a fat check(s)? Well, before you put the deposit down on that luxury Kia, let's examine something they gloss over in real estate school 

In this business you can do everything right, and still go long stretches of time without income. How long? Well, that's part of the fun. We really don't know. But in 2024 almost 70% of ALL agents went 365 days between closings. Here are some steps to take to ensure the lion has a balanced diet...

1) Understand real estate sales is the king of delayed gratification--Those positive steps you take today will result in a check, in about 90 days...

2) Have at least three months of bill money in savings at all times-- Why? See item one.

3) Avoid debt like a clown holding a knife and a bottle of whiskey-- I had a vendor tell me that real estate agents were the easiest group to sell to. We are always looking for the next best thing. The sad truth is almost none of the "stuff" will result in closing checks. 

4) Prospect every business day, especially when you don't want to-- Doing so will help produce a steady stream of business (and help replenish that savings account. Get it up to six months. Just because Doug told you to). 

5) Understand that deals, even "strong ones" can torpedo at any moment-- Circumstances change, buyers/sellers get cold feet, "clients" will disappear. Any of which means your deal went poof. Want life drama? Let that be the deal you were counting on to make things right...And review item 2. 

After 17 years of practice I have zero regrets. But boy I would have modified a few things. The good news is even a veteran can read this list and make changes. Of course those won't be rewarded for 90 days. Better review item 2 again...

Posted by

Searching for a Top real estate agent in Destin Florida ? Need help selling your Emerald Cost home? Either way call Doug today!

Doug Rogers

Real Estate Agent 

RE/MAX Coastal Properties 

Destin Florida 32541

 

 

(318) 613-1994

 Equal opportunity housing. Doug Rogers is a licensed real estate professional in Florida. Each office independently owned and operated

 

 

 

Comments(23)

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Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I was astonished when Inman told us all in late January that 71% of Real Estate Licensees did not have a Closing in 2024 . There’s gotta be a lot of hungry Lions out there  ! ……….

Feb 25, 2025 09:40 AM
Doug Rogers

Seems hard to believe. 

Feb 25, 2025 09:46 AM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thank you for sharing the information. Wishing you continued

success. Have a wonderful day and sell a house. Bill

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Feb 25, 2025 10:51 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Very good analogy

Feb 25, 2025 10:55 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Oh, I thought this was going to be a weight loss program, but all good advice.  May I add: NEVER STOP MARKETING.  Even in good times.  Thx

Feb 25, 2025 12:48 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Your insights are spot on and really resonate, Doug Rogers! I appreciate your candidness about the ups and downs of real estate—it’s refreshing to hear such honesty, and your advice is definitely something we all need to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing these essential tips!

Feb 25, 2025 12:59 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Doug... that number totally boggles my mind. Then again, even in a more "normal" year many agents don't do much more than four sales in a year.

Feb 25, 2025 01:53 PM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Very good advice to aspiring Realtors Doug Rogers Many come into the business thinking it's easy money.

Feb 25, 2025 03:50 PM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Doug Rogers - great analogy and the advice is right on point. For some reason, the 71% of realtors not having closings in 2024 in  Michael Perry's response does not surprise me. In our local news, it was reported that in 2024 57% of realtors did not have any closings. Real estate is not easy money; it takes, patience, dedication, hard work, victories and dissapointments.

Feb 25, 2025 04:56 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Well you have certainly made your point! Loved your analogy and steps to take!! When starting out in this Business I have always said you need 6 months on your #2 step! Exceptional post..well done!

Feb 25, 2025 07:40 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Doug - a substantial rainy-day fund can help clear the realities of real estate practice.   ☔

Feb 26, 2025 03:14 AM
Scott Schulte
Scott Schulte LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Very wise words!  Prospect every business day, especially when you don't want to

Feb 26, 2025 03:45 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That is the thing that chases many agents from the business even after they have had a great deal of success, haha.  There are no guaranteed paychecks, but the hard work is guaranteed and is often done pro bono, haha.

Feb 26, 2025 04:38 AM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty (Salina Group) | Broker
Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Doug Rogers, this is a powerful reminder that persistence and preparation are key to success! 🦁 Even the strongest hunters face challenges, but those who stay the course will always find their feast. Keep inspiring! 💪🔥 #StayMotivated #RealEstateHustle

Feb 26, 2025 04:48 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Excellent advice! It's so true that all real estate deals take time, and yes, I would say at least six months of living expenses should be stored up before starting!

Feb 26, 2025 05:18 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

 Exactly Doug. Having deals in progress doesn’t guarantee a payday on closing day. The unexpected can happen even with the smoothest transactions!

Feb 26, 2025 05:53 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

That is an interesting statistic. This is not an easy business, so many people are deceived by the TY programs, three houses shown and then a contract written. Easy peasy....not.

Feb 26, 2025 12:49 PM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Doug, This important information must be included in real estate school to enable new agents to plan financially for the transition period before commission checks are received. Someone once asked me what stipend would be paid to them and for how long?

Feb 26, 2025 03:56 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

You created a well deserved Feature post Doug Rogers . What really stands out to me is when you said "before you put the deposit down " .

With the "sky is falling" media crying and wailing about the cuts of wasteful government spending I found myself screaming at the TV last night when they played a piece of a government worker (who was in a probationary period of his job) was whining and crying that he was going to lose the house and car he just purchased. EXCUSE ME! You took a job you knew full well may not become permanent and went out and spent money like a drunken sailor, how stupid are you dude? 

Feb 27, 2025 07:47 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

What a great posting and congrats on the Feature.  Independent contractors usually often independent sales people and that includes real estate agents fail to understand exactly what you shared.  I only believe in this old quote "It ain't over until the fat lady sings." In real estate that means COE actually happens. In other words "don't count your chickens until they are hatched."

Feb 27, 2025 10:22 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

This is my 18th year practicing but more than 20 in the industry. No truer words could be spoken to real estate agents (or anyone who depends on being rewarded at the end of a sale) than in this post and you ain't lyin', Doug!

Congrats on the feature, well deserved.

Feb 28, 2025 12:41 PM