Are you a new agent? Ask a lot of questions!

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently and what questions would you ask?

This year will be my nineteenth year in the real estate business.  When I started selling real estate in 2001, my goal was to just make enough money to supplement my family’s income.  I wanted the ability to take my kids to the swimming pool, on vacation, join sporting camps, volunteer at their schools and be home before 5pm every day.   My family was more important than becoming a top producing agent.  I didn’t need to make a killing in real estate, I wanted to make a living.  Just enough to supplement my Monday – Friday income from previous jobs.

When I started in the business, no one told me that real estate was a career where you typically work evenings and weekends.  No one told me to make learning a priority.  They also didn’t tell me that I was responsible for my own marketing, lead generation, money management and transaction management.  I also didn’t ask the right questions.  I asked for help, and probably bugged everyone in the office, but I could have started in this business so much better.

So, if I could do it all over again, what would I do differently?  I would:

1. Always split my income to pay household expenses, income taxes, marketing, and savings.
2. Take learning the business seriously my first year.
3. Maybe starting as an agent admin for a seasoned agent my first two years.
4. Definitely get involved early. I had no idea that I could have joined an association committee, Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and other groups, like YPN the young professionals network.
5. I would go to networking events outside of real estate to build a larger sphere of influence.
6. Stay consistent with my home buyer workshops.  I should have never stopped having these workshops.  Buyer workshops worked for my business.
7. Use a CRM from day one!  My best tip for a new agent.  Get into the habit of adding everyone to your client relationship management tool.

If I could go back in time, I would also ask the following questions.

1. How long does it take to close your first deal?
2. How do I plan for the slow months?
3. When should I start working on my goals for the next year?
4. When is the best time to create and sending marketing for the next listing season?
5. How hard should I work on a business plan?
6. How do I get involved?
7. How much money should I expect to make my first year?
8. How many hours should I expect to work?
9. Where will my business come from?
10. Among so many other questions

Do you have some of these questions?  Or other questions?  Don’t hesitate to ask the agents and the broker in your office.

After years in the business, I wish I had asked more questions.  Therefore, I want to help the next generation REALTOR® coming into our industry.  If you were a new agent today, what do you wish you knew, what do you wish you asked?  Help me help others by completing this survey.  Should take less than 5 minutes.  Click now to help me.