Match Yourself with a Good Real Estate Agent

When choosing a licensed real estate salesperson, do you want a soft-spoken, polite agent on your side or an outspoken go-getter? A real estate agent that has sold 200 homes this year or one that has sold 25? It can be confusing to buyers and sellers as to how to select the right agent for their needs. The Yellow Pages or Internet list hundreds of real estate salespeople available in your area and there are more with their names on signs all over town. How do you choose?

The first step is to talk to your friends and neighbors and get a few referrals; attend local open houses; track neighborhood "For Sale" signs to see what homes sell fast; look at real estate ads for agents that specialize in your area; and source the Internet and phone book for names.

Once you have a handful of candidates, you need to conduct an interview with the real estate agents to determine who is the best fit. This is the most important part of the process -- it is through the interviews that you will learn who will best represent your interests. Be prepared with a list of questions to ask each real estate salesperson and take notes. Some questions that you might want to include are:

1) How long have you had your real estate license?
2) How would you market my property?
3) What separates you from the competition?
4) How many properties have you sold in the past five years? What is the average time they were on the market?
5) What is your success rate as a licensed real estate salesperson?
6) What happens once we buy (or sell) our house? Do you help find a home inspector, lender, appraiser, etc.?
7) What is your commission percentage?
8) Do you have references?

Remember what one person seeks in a real estate agent, might not be important or relevant to another. It is a very subjective process. By doing your research, talking to other people and conducting a thorough interview, you can determine the best real estate salesperson for you. Buying or selling your house is a major decision -- make sure you partner with the right real estate agent.

Labels: Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Agent License, Real Estate School

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Top Reasons to Start a Real Estate Career

Why do so many people choose to get their real estate license? Because a career as a real estate salesperson is unlike any other profession! You can meet new people all the time, develop innovative ways to sell and grow your own business. There's hard work involved, but a real estate career can provide the reward, challenge, and excitement you are looking for.

Here are the top reasons to start a real estate career:

- You love sales: Do you like the idea of putting your sales skills to work? A real estate license enables you to "sell" for a living. Enjoy the thrill of finding new business and making that sale.

- Flexibility: One of the best parts of being a real estate salesperson is being able to determine your own schedule. Go into work a little late or take that vacation -- you can work whenever you want. However, this doesn't mean you can work a reduced schedule -- many successful salespeople work 40+ hours -- but your hours can be flexible.

- High income potential: Let's face it, this is probably the #1 reason people join the real estate field -- the opportunity to make a lot of money. It takes hard work and dedication, but there is no cap on the amount of money you can make as a real estate salesperson. And how much you work usually has a direct correlation with how much money you will make (as does geography).

- Networking opportunities: "It's who you know," is really a true statement about your real estate career. People are always looking to buy houses. Maybe your dentist, close friend or acquaintance is in the housing market. The point is: get our there and network. You never know where you might find business.

- Independence: As a licensed real estate salesperson, you can enjoy the opportunity to work for yourself. Even if you are not a broker, you can still market your services, manage your office and keep your business moving forward -- all on your own.

- Creativity: Are you an "out of the box" thinker? You can apply creative marketing skills to expand your career opportunities. Market your services with an innovative ad or determine a creative way to network with people in your community.

- Diversity: No two days are the same! You might be in the office one day filling out paperwork or out in the field with client the next. If variety is what you want, this is the perfect job for you!

- Play an important part in people's dreams: Helping people find their dream home can be a HUGE benefit to this career. Who can help but like a job that has such a positive outcome? You can feel good that you are making other people happy.

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The Right Broker for the Right Agent

You're a newly licensed real estate agent. You aced the state exam and now it's time to join a broker and start making some money. Everybody knows that most real estate brokers take on real estate agents as independent contractors and not as employees, so it doesn't matter whom you work for, right? Wrong! Just like any new graduate looking for a job, you must choose carefully and ask as many questions as possible.

The first rule of thumb is to interview with several brokerage houses. Notice which broker has the most signage in your city; look over local real estate publications and note the brokers with a strong presence. Talking with local real estate agents about area brokers is also important research.

The job interview process is your chance to ask the broker some important questions about how they run their business. For convenience sake, we'll just assume that the broker offers the standard commission split. A key area for inquiry is training and mentorship. A solid broker should provide some level of training for new agents, as well as an experienced agent who will mentor your progress.

Although you will be in business for yourself, some offices will provide computers, software, photocopiers and other support for their agents. Ask about a broker's policy. Some firms may expect you to bring your own computer equipment and pay for all expenses yourself. Get clarity on this!

Then we arrive at advertising. Like any business owner, you will learn that advertising is an expensive part of your operation. Ask the broker if the company pays for standard agency ads or whether you have to pay for your own individual listings. Also inquire about a bulk mail permit: many firms will pay the yearly fee for you, but others won't.

In the end, it's important to remember that when you interview at a broker's office, you need to have the attitude of a cautious home buyer. Your success as a real estate agent will depend partly on the level of cooperation, support and training you receive from a broker.

You didn't cut corners when it came to researching a real estate school, so don't shortchange yourself when it's time to find your first base in this exciting industry.

Labels: Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Agent License, real estate broker

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