Nobody Asks How Long I've Been In Real Estate

  We were "older" when we actually did it full time...no one asks...I have yet to tell the first listing I did who is still on our SOI mailings...that she was FIRST....some things are better left unsaid...fortunately it sold at the first open for over asking so my "Newbiness" didn't show !

I just lost a potential buyer because of this issue. However, he was interviewing agents and asked them the same questions from a list over the phone. I had the list of questions before speaking with him. In the end, he said he loved my answers, but was more comfortable with an experienced agent - I have 2 years experience. I'm not sure how to get around that fact.

I am not asked this question very often and like you when I am it is more of a conversation starter.

You look old Frank. Did you write your first contract with a quill on parchment ? Hope you have a great day and we sell sonething of yours

Charlie

My biz partner was very worried when she started if people would ask her that.  They never did.  I think if you are confident and know what you are speaking about they are at ease.  If it did come out, they were often surprised she was new to the business due to her knowledge and self assurance.

Frank and Jodi,

Two things. I agree with Don that it's a conversation starter. Also, as you have more confidence in what you're doing, the question just doesn't come up. :)

Steve

I am asked this question ALL the time!!  It gets really annoying sometimes, especially when it comes from "older" clients, but I just smile, chuckle, and tell them "almost 9 years" and then watch their face get this look of confusion as to "how old were you when you started?"

My picture doesn't look "that" young anymore, but my first two pictures that I used when I got into real estate made me look like I was 18.  At the time, I thought they were great pictures. When I look back, I wonder why no one stopped me from using them.

I'm not a Realtor, I'm an inspector. I do get asked the question, how long have you been doing home inspections. I suspect it's because people are nor the least surprised by female Realtors, but some what taken aback by female inspectors.

How long have you been in the real estate industry?

Hi Frank!  What a wonderful question to ponder!  I don't like it when I hear that question but, it seems that real estate is always a second or third career (at least here) and so many got into the business for the money a couple of years ago so, it's a pretty common question to some.  You are SO right, those agents are acting desperate about now because they did not work their business when they started.  And, yes, the clients CAN sense desperation!

We don't hear that often, and when we do the same people usually drill you on bunch of other stuff as well. What we sometimes might say is that we have been in business for xx years, but what is more important is that in that time we have closed xx deals and written xxx contracts etc. Because at the end even if somebody has been in business for 20 yrs (lets say the selllers friend - and we have a friend like this) but only sell 2 houses a year (give a take 2 LOL) would that be better? ~Rita

Just like other markets, there are many newer agents. I get asked a lot because of my age.  Most people don't start at 23.  The average agent retired from corporate world after 20+ years first, and then got into real estate, so they look a lot older than me.