HI

Every time I speak to someone about my business and career, it always arises that “they’ve thought about engaging in real estate” or know someone who has. With so many people considering getting into property, and getting into real estate – why aren’t there more lucrative Realtors on the planet? Well, there’s only so much business to go around, so there can only be so many REALTORS in the world. I feel, however, that the inherent nature of the business enterprise, and how different it really is from traditional careers, makes it difficult for the average person to successfully make the transition into the Real Estate Business. As a brokerage, I see many new agents make their way into my office – for an interview, and sometimes to begin with their careers. New Real Estate Agents bring a great deal of great qualities to the table – lots of energy and ambition – but they also make a large amount of common mistakes. Here are the 7 top mistakes rookie Real Estate Agents Make.

1) No Business Plan or Business Strategy

So many new agents put all their emphasis on which Real Estate Brokerage they will join when their shiny new license comes in the mail. Why? Because most new Real Estate Agents have never experienced business for themselves – they’ve only worked as employees. They, mistakenly, think that getting into the Real Estate business is “obtaining a new job.” What they’re missing is that they’re about to go into business for themselves. If you’ve ever opened the doors to ANY business, you know that among the key ingredients is your business plan. Your organization plan can help you define where you’re going, how you are getting there, and what it does take for you to make your real estate business a success. Here are the requirements of any good business plan:

A) Goals – What would you like? Make them clear, concise, measurable, and achievable.

B) Services You Provide – you do not desire to be the “jack of all trades & master of none” – choose residential or commercial, buyers/sellers/renters, and what area(s) you wish to specialize in. New residential real estate agents tend to have probably the most success with buyers/renters and then move ahead to listing homes after they’ve completed several transactions.

C) Market – that are you marketing yourself to?

D) Budget – consider yourself “new real estate agent, inc.” and write down EVERY expense you have – gas, groceries, cellular phone, etc… Then write down the new expenses you’re dealing with – board dues, increased gas, increased cell usage, marketing (very important), etc…

E) Funding – how will you pay for your budget w/ no income for the initial (at the very least) 60 days? With the goals you’ve set on your own, when will you break even?

F) Marketing Plan – how will you obtain the word out about your services? The simplest way to market yourself is to your own sphere of influence (people you understand). Make sure you do so effectively and systematically.

2) Not Using the Best Possible Closing Team

They say the greatest businesspeople surround themselves with people who are smarter than themselves. It takes a fairly big team to close a transaction – Buyer’s Agent, Listing Agent, Lender, INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL, Title Officer, Inspector, Appraiser, and sometimes more! As 10200 boul de l’acadie , you are in the positioning to refer your client to whoever you choose, and you should make sure that anyone you refer in will be a secured asset to the transaction, not somebody who will bring you more headache. And the closing team you refer in, or “put your name to,” are there to make you shine! If they perform well, you can participate of the credit as you referred them into the transaction.

The deadliest duo on the market is the New AGENT & New LARGE FINANCIAL COMPANY. They gather and decide that, through their combined marketing efforts, they can take over the world! They’re both focusing on the proper section of their business – marketing – but they’re doing each other no favors by choosing to provide each other business. In the event that you refer in a bad insurance professional, it might cause a minor hiccup in the transaction – you make a simple phone call and a new agent can bind the property in less than one hour. However, because it typically takes at least fourteen days to close a loan, if you use an inexperienced lender, the result can be disastrous! You might find yourself ready of “begging for a contract extension,” or worse, being denied a contract extension.

A good closing team will typically know more than their role in the transaction. Because of this, you can turn in their mind with questions, and they’ll step in (quietly) if they see a potential mistake – because they want to assist you to, and in return receive more of one’s business. Using good, experienced players for the closing team can help you infinitely in conducting business worthy of MORE business…and best of all, it’s free!

3) Not Arming Themselves with the Necessary Tools

Getting started as an agent is expensive. In Texas, the license alone can be an investment that may cost between $700 and $900 (not considering the volume of time you’ll invest.) However, you’ll come across even more expenses when you attend arm yourself with the necessary tools of the trade. And don’t fool yourself – they’re necessary – because your competition are using every tool to greatly help THEM.