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Why would you get into Real Estate now?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Mid Willamette

Being a new Broker in Oregon, I am constantly asked what I was thinking when I choose to change my career and start building a Real Estate Business. People look at me like I am nuts, express their concern and proceed to tell me about how I will never make it coming in when "the market is just so bad". It amazes me the negativity these folks have and proves the one track mind of the person obsessed with doom and gloom, always looking on why we shouldn't do things from fear instead of following our dreams, goals, drives, desires and morals.

I owned a business for 4 years that I created from relationships. I literally grew it with no money down, no training, no idea what I was doing, just going with my instincts and born talent of working with people. I had a need, I created a product, I found others with the same need, researched my product with them, sold them on ebay and then got a site up and running. The first year I grossed $8K, not much, pretty nice for what started as a hobby. The following year I grossed $64K. I taught myself how to run a business, and when it became too much for me to manage, needing more investment than I could afford to give it, I sold it, taking the money from that business to invest in creating my next venture. I put all the money in a CD for a few months while I decided on what to do.

After researching the housing market in the Willamette Valley for over a year,  and self learning business management, only coming out of that business with less than $10K, I decided to have a hand at performing the task of Real Estate sales. I took an online class, passed my test and jumped into the world of Brokerage with both feet and a smile on my face. I didn't care what the news said, I don't believe anything else they say, their perspective is for the same people who live in fear and doubt. I looked at the numbers, I still look at the numbers. And while I will not claim to be the neighborhood expert, I am a constant student, learning something about the area and our market every day.

That is why I am different from the rest. I choose to learn. After my state exam, I signed on with Keller Williams and wrote my first contract for buyers 3 days later. There is no stopping me. I refused to listen to the negativity, I found a buyer and I sold them a house, the first time I met them, the first day we went looking at the first house they went into. I realize that is not the norm. I realize it takes time and building relationships and lead generation. So I continued to hit the pavement. I went door to door in my neighborhood in October, with my kids, introducing oourselves to the neighbors since we can't take candy from strangers for Halloween" and since we were new in town, it gave us a great chance to meet people and let them know I am a Broker. I went to all the local businesses, got involved with community efforts and took a few great business folks out to lunch and breakfast.

 I was lucky enough that our KW leaders in our market center, Sue Long and Terri Woods, invited Gary Carpenter from Floyd Wickman's SMART training to come and give us one of the most meaningful lessons of my life. I learned an incredible amount of wonderful things and was able to really start my foundation, building good habits before old bad ones set in. I was lucky enough that I didn't have to relearn things, I was a blank slate. I targeted FSBO and EXP listings. Being new in town, I have no sphere to work with, so I get to work the area that most of the Brokers here seem to hate. I introduce myself, ask questions about their situation and figure out if I want the listing and how I can help them, if they even need me. I build relationships and truly live by the get by giving philosophy. I listen. I creatively find solutions to help them, and if I can sell their house, GREAT! If not, I am learning loads about people and the area, it is a win win for sure!

So I am here, almost at the end of 2008, still fresh and green. I have been licensed for 3 months and I have 3 listings, one sale, one sold listing and a handful of prospective buyers working with me. I am focusing on properties and communities I love to work with, I work in an environment that promotes growth, sharing, working together and towards a common good. I can honestly say I love my work and it was a GREAT time to get involved. learning valuable trade techniques, business habits and working with the strongest of the best Agents in the area, the ones who dont' give up, the ones that see their work as a BUSINESS not a JOB. The people who care too much about the people they work with and the community they are involved in to just find something else. I am so proud to be part of it. And when things look better in the charts and stats, I will be ready! I will keep working, build my book of business, get to know my neighbors and neighborhood better, and be ready for the changes as they come. I am excited to be part of this community and even more excited to be part of the Keller Williams Family!

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Sounds like you have the inginuity and determination to make a success of any career!  You will be well established by the time the tide turns.  What is the product you created?  The Willamette Valley is a wonderful place to live!

Dec 13, 2008 12:25 AM
Kaire Downin
Keller Williams Realty Mid Willamette - Lebanon, OR

This was my first picture I used for marketing, with one of the raw designs, before it was perfected, but it was the most used photo for marketing. The product was the FreeHand Mei Tai Baby Carrier.

Thank you for your kind words!!

Dec 13, 2008 08:00 AM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

I just love that picture -- what great smiles!  And that baby carrier is a lot more attractive that the one I used - very cool!

Dec 13, 2008 11:42 PM
Denise Gray
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Realtor SRES, Wichita Kansas Homes

One of my past clients came into my office at the Development I represent and told me she wanted to get into Real Estate. She was filled with enthusiasm and had some great ideas about marketing to the Hispanic Community. After 2 meeting she is off to get her license and I am looking forward to working with her as a Team. I told her if she could start off when we are at the bottom of the cycle just think where you will be when we start to move up.

Dec 14, 2008 02:26 AM
Frances C. Rokicki
Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT
Broker-Mentor,CRS

Kaire, This is the market to learn.  The education that you will receive in the next three to five years, will sustain your business forever.  Real estate is always changing, up or down, it doesn't matter, as long as you embrace the change and are prepared.  Sounds like you have the right focus and goals. 

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Dec 16, 2008 05:59 AM
Elaine Cooper
Fillmore Real Estate - Brooklyn, NY
Multi Family House, Co-op & Condo Specialist - Brooklyn, NY

You already have the know how when it comes to running a successful business.  I have a feeling you are going to do very well in Real Estate!

Thanks for sharing.  It was very encouraging even to those of us who aren't that new to the business.

Dec 16, 2008 06:06 AM