"My First Year As A Realtor" and I don't know what to say. There are so many things I could talk about, but which one would be the most important?
I learned from Liz Moras that my real estate career can be like a roller coaster ride. My girlfriend certainly hit the nail on the noggin with that assessment. It has certainly been a wild ride...
I entered the market at a low point and watched it go from bad to worse. I took binders on deals that died from the unrealistic expectations of buyers and sellers. I went to contract on properties that either the buyer or seller walked away from in the eleventh hour. I spent my pension money advertising listings that people took off the market on a personal whim without a second thought regarding wasting my firms resources, not to mention my personal expenditures and valuable time.
I had to learn to bite my lip because I realized some sellers did not give a hoot about breaching their contracts or me losing my investment in advertising and marketing their homes. I watched a few of my R.E. friends go bankrupt... I watched several of my R.E. friends close offices... I watched a handful of my R.E. friends get sick... I watched two of my R.E. friends die...
My first year as a Realtor was not at all what I expected... quite frankly, it really whomped!
I'm looking forward to my second year.
I love working at REMAX People Realty and I have an excellent R.E. Coach from TX who is helping me reshape my business model as an independent contractor. I love Club Chaos and Active Rain. I have lovely listings and buyer brokerage agreements with several pre-qualified buyers. I have a lot of AR road trips planned and great places to vacation with my friends. My hubby will be retired, so I can put more hours into building my graphic art, paralegal and real estate businesses, not to mention traveling with the little minions.
I may actually make it to London and see Poppy Dinsey and Tower Bridge. We are definitely going to Canada to see Liz Moras. M is also considering becoming a FL Sales Associate and Notary to help out and train up the boys to take over "the family business." We are thinking about building an art gallery to house "Stephen Noah" as well as a real estate brokerage house in Brevard County for 2010 called "Minion Realty." With a R. E. name like that, our advertising is certainly going to be a lot of fun (LOL).
If I have my way, I will be licensed in NY, FL, SC and TX. I am definitely looking forward to my second year as a Realtor. New York will always be my first love, but the traveling bug has bit me. I'm going to be running up and down the East corridor and looping around the Gulf of Mexico starting January 2009. I am soooo looking forward to collecting all of that lovely eye candy while engaged in the happy pursuit of new real estate deals... So much to blog about, so little time...
Hang in there. Usually the first year, no matter the market, can be rough. The very best of luck to you.
Regards,
Lloyd Nichols
First time agents find it difficult to understand the many hours one has to put into ones career to be successful in real estate. It not easy, and yet many individual in the public eye seem to think that we are over paid and frankly do not earn our keep. Glad to see you hanging in there.
Thank you, Lloyd. I appreciate the well wishes. I am going to do my best to hang in these and am looking forward to discovering what my next year will bring. :-)
You chose a good brand and I still remember how rough it can be so hang in there and before long you'll be giving tips to rookies...
Thank you, Lorraine and Loretta. I'm glad I stayed and hope I will be able to continue working in this industry.
You are a tough cookie and will work hard to reach your goals! Success will be yours!
Minion Realty!!!! Bonus Happy Dance at Each Closing!
Hang in there if you are doing what you really love you will end up a success. You are right it can be a roller coaster ride at times. The most important factor is that you did not give up. Keep going there are plenty of us out there in the same situation.
Thank you, Paul. The REMAX brand is very cool, indeed. They have great training. :-)
CONGRATS on your first year!
I've been in almost 25 and it still is a blast.
Good luck.
Jim
Elaine, too funny! Might be a cool marketing tool though... very interesting, indeed (LOL). If I do well, I may migrate to CA. I've cousins in San Diego and lots of AR buddies to visit as well. :-)
Thank you, Pat. It's the loving support that makes me stick it out. Realtors are a tough group. They see and hear a lot. I love reading their experiences on Active Rain and sharing my thoughts with you guys as well. :-)
You are an inspiration to new realtors. I have just begun my journey and have been licensed for a month and 4 days now. Looking forward to the wild ride!
Good luck to you,
Manolis
Thank you, Jim. 25 years, eh? That is very encouraging! :-D
Excellent post, and thanks for sharing! First year is the learning curve. Second year is the light at the end of the tunnel. Third year, it's a "keeper". You're definitely on the right path, and your attitude spells success.
Hi C ... Congratulations on making it through your first year! It's been two and a half for me. So, I too have have watched the market go from bad to worse.
You have accomplished a lot ... in your life, in your businesses and here in the Rain. You are supportive of so many of us, and your brainchild "Club Chaos" rocks. I sincerely admire your talent and your drive. It is clear that you have a plan and I wish you the very best. BTW, you can leave the City because it never leaves YOU ... it's always in your heart ... it's always a part of you. It's just that kind of place.
Carolyn, your energy level is off the scale with your plans. Good luck to you in all your endeavors. I love that Minion Realty idea. When in Texas don't forget Gary!!: )
Thank you, Li. :-)
Thank you, Manolis. Wishing you the very best with your new adventure in real estate and with your blogging.
I love to see people dreaming and realizing that they can come true. Best wishes for your success. love cheryl (visit me anytime)willis
Thank you, Marie. I know exactly what you mean about being a native New Yorker (LOL).
Thank you, Gary. I am so looking forward to seeing you, Deb, Sondra and the rest of the TX crew when I come for my visit and hang out with Mel and Amanda. I am looking forward to the TX agenda: lots of foodie paradise and personal visits. :-)
Thank you, Cheryl W. Looking forward to getting a visit in with you as well (LOL). There are a lot of places that I have never been to but am very curious about. :-)
Carolyn,
Sounds like a full plate to me!!! Eat heartily!!! Thanks, Fran
Fran, a very full plate with the potential to have mad fun with the kids. We are addicted to road trips. We are always running around somewhere. I have a nice crew of friends about to start retiring from government service so I'd like to be ready to relocate them from NY to where they need to be. AR has a great referral system in place and CC will definitely suit my referral needs but once in a while I will want the excuse to go somewhere with a buddy and it would be nice if I can handle the transaction from start to finish. I have a friend now who is insisting she only wants me to handle her business in two states, so I finally agreed to it. We plan on relocating to FL in 2009 or 2010, thus the FL license agenda. My only question is do we rent for a year and build, or build then move. Hmm...
Congrats on your first year!! I know my frst year was up and down!!!!
Carolyn, I have been telling people it was a roller coaster, but changed my mind about that a couple of months ago. I now describe what we do as a tilt-a-whirl. Enjoy the ride.
Wow Girl - cool "public" post...:-) Thanks for referencing my post.........:-) And I look forward to the day you come and visit us up herein the North..:-) You are one heck of a bundle of energy - your post makes me a little sad - that your first year was so tough - it was poignant reading about the 'ride' you've been on..........But I love your goals and plans for the coming years! You're awesome................(oh i got your post via Google Alert! lol)
CC
congratulations on surviving a tough year, on your plans for florida, having lived there for 3 years, my advice would be rent first, get a solid feel for various areas and market. Depending on where you are going, lot of good deals for buyers. I love your sense of adventure, you are definitely One with life.....enjoy
/And you are one rockin' videographer! Congratulations on the first year!
C- Congrats on maiking it through your first year in real estate! Though it's been a tough time you're a tough cookie and you're with a great company. DREAM BIG.
Thank you, Jeannette. :-)
Fred, very nice description (LOL).
Thank you, Liz. Looking forward to it! Google Alert, eh? Very cool! :-)
Thank you, Paul. We may take your advice and rent first. :-)
Thank you, Cher. I'm looking forward to learning more about manipulating digital video. It's a lot of fun! Doesn't feel like work at all. :-)
Thank you, Debbie.
It has been a ride, eh? Keep plugging away. It will get better.
Mel, I'm with you on that point. I really believe it will. :-)
"C", Congrats on year number one and it's the first of many Successful years to come.
That Mentor of yours in Texas is pretty Awesome as well.
WooHoo! You're past that first year....and still enthusiastic....that's exactly the attitude anyone needs to survive in this industry..Congratulations ...and many more to come....and good luck in ALL your endeavors!
Thank you, Cameron. She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Absolutely awesome! :-)
C Sally C, thank you! I am so looking forward to the next round. I'm sure it will give me lots to blog about (LOL).
Love it Carolyn! You go girl! Get licensed in PA too so you can come keep me company sometimes!! I'll warn JJ to stay away from the pool!
Congratulations....I would have guessed you were a veteran by all of your excellent postings.
Susan, what a great idea. You can mentor me while Mike runs off and hangs out with your Mom (LOL). Poor JJ. More minion love from the blur minion - what a interesting set of thoughts. We definitely must talk more about this on our next visit. Please tell Max I am still trying to figure out Halo. Mike is a die hard World of Warcraft fan so he is absolutely no help what so ever. :-)
Jane, what a lovely compliment. Thank you. :-D
Congrats on your first year Sis. Have a great weekend.
Hi Carolyn, It sounds like you are prepared and ready for that second year.. I KNOW you will always succeed at whatever you go after. I didn't see NC on your list of travel choices but you would love it here as well. God bless,
Thank you, Sister P. Enjoy your weekend as well. Hope to see you soon when my schedule calms down (LOL). Love, C.
Thank you, Cheryl G. We like to stay in Rocky Mount, NC when we do go. I guess we'll have to expand our travel agenda now that we have you, Laura Watts and a couple of other pals to add to our road trips (LOL).
Did you know some states have reciprocity with each other? particulary in the South? Ok I had not clue you had only been a Realtor in a year. You are doing good and I know it is frustrating when sellers walk away because we have put so much into marketing and selling their homes.
But, without a doubt you will be successful, if you love it.
Thank you, Missy. I have been laughing about my e-mails regarding the "one-year announcement." People appear to have been assuming some very interesting things about me (LOL). Very nice but wrong thoughts. I have on several occasions clearly stated I hadn't made it to my first year anniversary as a Realtor yet, but it appears some thought I was joking or talking about NAR exclusively (ROTFL). It has been a very interesting day. :-)
Hey C - Congrats on your first year!! I'm not even half way through tho time flies. My other job is as a builder, so out of the frying pan and into the fire, lol.
Oooo - a builder! Girlfriend, we have got to talk! Seriously! Margaret, I will be playing phone tag with you very, very soon (LOL).
Congrats on making it through your first year and having such a wonderful attitude. I would have never guessed only a year....
Best success to you in the future. Your plans sound like fun.
Depending on where you are going in FLorida - there are some deals there that you can buy for 1/2 of what you can build....
Maybe buy a real deal and build in 3 - 4 years with your profits??
Thank you, April. That sounds like a yummy plan. :-)