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Searching for a Mentor? Here's some clues.

By Regina P. Brown

Real Estate Broker/Owner with MBA Broker Consultants CalBRE Broker #00983670

January 13, 2009 05:54 PM

Want to skyrocket your career to a whole new level? Maybe you've been thinking about learning tips from a pro on-the-job.

Who is a good mentor? A mentor is a person who is willing to make a commitment to coach a less-experienced "mentee" at no charge or cost. A mentor is ready to give back to others, to help contribute to another's growth. A mentor is someone concerned about our future world, wanting to make a difference.

Determine a good Mentor who is a good fit for you. When seeking a mentor, evaluate their compatibility with the following criteria:

Real estate sales experience
Location (should be nearby)
Age, Gender
Language fluency
College / Education
Cultural background (may not be important)
Spiritual beliefs / Religious background
Life mission / Philosophy
Future plans / Goals
Willingness to teach
Role model by example

Share with your mentor what you would like to accomplish during your mentorship - that will help set expectations clearly.

Put aside some time each week to communicate, 30-60 minutes. Mark it out on your schedule, and make it a regular time.

What should you do to be a good Mentee?

Be coachable and willing to learn.
Show appreciation for your Mentor and reciprocate when possible.
Offer to help your Mentor by doing office work weekly. This helps repay your Mentor for their time spent helping you. It also helps you learn the entire business from the inside out. Suggestions include:
- Send out mailers
- File documents
- Enter contact names into database
- Service sellers (calling for updates)
- Enter listings in computer
- Schedule events (inspections, appraisals, etc.)
- Contact prospects

NOTE: When shadowing your Mentor, do not speak. Instead, take notes of everything. Write down your questions and ask them later, after the client meeting is completed.

For reasons why you would use a mentor, refer to this AR article: http://activerain.com/blogsview/857502/Dont-RE-INVENT-the-wheel-Get-a-Mentor

Join my NEW group for professionals who work from their home office at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
Author of eBook "Stop Foreclosure Fast: Solutions to Save your House"

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Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Very good advice.

When I started out, I was hoping to get a mentor at my office, and one guy fit the bill perfectly...then a few months later, he died of a stroke. I was devastated. To this day, I still think of how much more I could have learned from him.

Thank goodness there were enough folks in the office who helped show me the way. I have since tried to pay forward by helping others when and where I can.

I would like to add that we can't have just one mentor since various folks have different levels and areas of expertise.

Jan 13, 2009 06:08 PM

Michelle Tucker ~ Pooler Real Estate

!Daley Real Estate - Pooler, GA

Rincon~Savannah~Richmond Hill

Regina: This a great article for the newbies in the Real Estate industry. With the slowing of the market, getting on board with a seasoned agent can really help one learn the business and obtain great business practices.

Jan 13, 2009 06:29 PM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Regina, I totally agree. This is the only way to be accountable and learn the business without reinventing the wheel. I am currently running a mentorship program in an association I belong to for new commercial real estate agents. It's a great way to learn the business and a good refresher for seasoned agents.

Jan 13, 2009 11:43 PM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

I had a Mentor 35 years ago, and I've mentored quite a few people in my business career.

Unfortunately, over the years, especially in times of recession, too many people see mentoring as a drag on their time and resources, resulting in a lost art for the massses. Those Mentors who have stayed around are very good, and they usually charge for their time and effort.

Jan 14, 2009 12:20 AM

. .

Adak, AK

Good topic Regina - a good mentor can make or break even the most gifted real estate agent. I enjoy mentoring others and seeing them grow to success. I had a very talented mentor when I was new in the business and at that time paid 10% of commission proceeds to the mentor. I learned so much from him; when my first check came he actually waived his split. I'll never forget that!

Kent Davis

Jan 14, 2009 07:32 AM

Regina P. Brown

MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA

M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Pacita, it's a good idea to have several mentors. You can learn from each one!

Jan 16, 2009 04:51 PM

Michelle, yes it's great to have a mentor, in both UP and DOWN markets.

Jan 16, 2009 04:53 PM

Michael, good for you for stepping out and volunteering to help other newer agents!

Russel, I don't blame them for charging for their time, it's their most valuable resource. I advise mentees to return the favor by doing work for the mentor. See my list above.

Jan 16, 2009 04:54 PM

Options Realty, it sounds like you had a GREAT mentor! That's why you're so successful now.

Jan 16, 2009 04:55 PM

Searching for a Mentor? Here's some clues.

Comments(10)

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