OK Guys, here is one for you. My son is 18, he is going to take his agents exams on Tuesday. He has always had a good head on his shoulders, and far be it from me to ever discourage a child from doing anything illegal, immoral or fattening.
The question is: Who do you know that would buy property from an eighteen year old?
WHAT DO U THINK?
I have seen the younger agents have a harder time getting people to trust them. I am sure that he will be just fine under your guidance. He should network with his friends from school!
He will be on my team for at least the first year. This may be a good time to plug the enforced team concept that is so hard to find today. The Keller Williams office I am brokered to is very good with the team concept and will help me season him.
Yup, that is a tough one, one way he can hedge his age is to get an education. A bachelor's or Master's degree in Real Estate, Finance and Law is a huge hedge against the age thing. Most agents that do have degrees have them in things other than RE.
Take care!
RJH
I think that an 18 year old that takes the time to decide he wants to be a Realtor and takes the classes and passes the exam, is a son you should be very proud of. He doesn't need to disclose his age. I know old Realtors who have no spark or drive. His enthusisam and eagerness will attract business his direction. He probably already has friends that will be needing property.
Wish him good luck and be proud of him. He has direction. Be supportive.
YOU LOOK 18!
Maybe he could be a buyers agent for a busy realtor and partner with them ?
I bet if he networks well, he will do just fine!
Best wishes,
BethAnn in Spokane
His knowledge will be the key to overcoming an age problem. He will have to work harder than the average agent, for he will have to prove himself on the front line. Once he helps a few people, and gets referrals to back up his claims, he could be well on his way. A good way to get that moving in the right direction...tell him there is this blogging machine known as ActiveRain, where he can blog/post/share his knowledge, and also post his referrals once he gets them.
That being said, I must say this...I am shocked. Your pic...no way do you look old enough to have an 18 year old. Are you sure you didn't mean to say your "brother." Hey, not flirting here, I'm married...just passing a compliment!
I think that's great! Maybe he can work with you as he learns the business? Clients may feel more comfortable if he's part of your "team" rather than on his own.
Please do not misunderstand, I am very proud. I have five children and he is the most educated at the earliest age in the top four. I really do want him to succeed and there is no doubt he will succeed. I am a little unsure because I can not honestly say I would not be comfortable buying from one so young. He will definetely be accompanied by someone more experienced for a while. It may not be Mom because I am still MOM
In our are 30% or so of the transactions are related to student housing. The parents send the kids out to find a home and then the parents finally show up to buy. They students might like working with an 18 year old.
Most of it is how he presents himself. If he dresses, acts and looks like an 18 year old with hair and manorisms, he will have a hard start. There are many young people who are very successful.. It's that positive attitude. It's getting up everyday and remembering this is his profession, not his job. If he wants a job, then he should go and get one. He is about to enter the real estate profession.
My other comment is, maybe he should start as a licensed assistant and learn from there. This is a difficult profession. Not to learn or do, but to meet the challenges of the personal emotions. I would hate for him to burn out with the emotional roller-coaster that this profession brings to us all regardless of how long we have been in it. It is those very low's... Low's you did not think you could get to and the overnight emotional highs that cause most people to get out of the business. No sooner than you reach a high then it crashes to a low, then right back to a high.
Can he test for a brokers license in your state. I mine you can take the test for a broker and then do the 2 years of experience then upgrade to be a broker without taking the test again. I wish someone had said that to me. I had to take the full test twice. The state doesn't say anything as it is a revenue generator. Charge twice.....
That sounds GREAT! When I was taking my classes preparing for the exam, almost the entire class was just out of high school. One had to wait 30 days before he could take his exam because he just graduated in summer of '07 and moved to Nashville from Dallas. As long as he has set goals for himself and is career minded, I think he will do just fine. Most at that age still haven't decided on a career path.
Best of Luck!
Thank You for all the comments. Thank you also for all the compliments. That is a good picture, and surprisingly recent.
I never thought of college kids. We live about 27 miles from A&M Commerce. Maybe we will go over there for a few days and see what we can shake loose. I will talk to you guys soon and I will let you know how he does on Tuesday. If he does pass and any one out there knows of anyone who will buy land or homes off of an 18 year old, our website is:
Request Joey!
I have a good friend who is a father son team.... Dustyn started at 18 and bought his 1st home by 20
He can have a great market with the younger generation - focus on first time buyers and he will do great!
I know many agents that are successful at 20, so it just depends on how he communicates with people and presents himself.
If he gets lots of listings people will buy from him. Tell him to concentrate on taking as many saleable listings as possible.
I wish him the best of luck. A lot of good answers above. My honest answer is that I would have a tough time buying from an 18 year old kid. It might be ageist, but he would need to show me that he is the Doogie Howser of Real Estate before I could build that level of trust. Just one man's opinion.
It depends upon his approach and attitude. I suggest he starts out working on his accredidations immediately. GRI, CRS, any and all. It will give him the vocabulary and knowledge that you and I know that some agents who have been in the business for years have not acquired.
Next thing may be the hard part. Go inbetween on the dress. Don't dress like he is playing dress up, meaning he is going over board, but certainly give up the usual 18 year old attire. Dress for the position he wants, not the one he has approach and do not let anyone tell him he can't do this. IF he wants it enough, he will make it work. I wish him the best.
Chronilogical age is not everything. Some are old before their time. Some never grow old and others never grow up
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