A lot of people try their hand at real estate and then are faced with a rude awakening. A good agent makes it look easy, but it’s anything but. Once you’re good at it the benefits of what you reap emotionally and financially far outweigh the negative aspects. Make no mistake though, you can’t just leapfrog over the hard part and skip to the good part. To have long term success you have to put in your time. Real success comes when the past client referrals roll in, not the flash bang success a new agent might find by sheer numbers in their sphere or good luck. To last in the long run you need stamina and an understanding that nothing is just given to you. You want it? You work for it. No cheating. No ethical rule bending. No trying to fool anyone. The agents out there doing those things won’t be here in the long run because people will see through it. The only way to REAL success is through honesty, integrity and loving what you do. Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win.
So, what do you need in order to be successful? If you interviewed agents you’d find common threads. Many were teachers or caregivers like nurses. Wanting to teach and care for people is a good start.
You also need to actually LIKE HOUSES. If you don’t give two hoots about the actual houses, good luck to you. Try car sales instead. If you’re after a buck and that’s it, move along. You’ll be squashed like a bug. People aren’t dumb. Authenticity can’t be faked.
Agents are often people who are bored easily, who crave change, who don’t need to know or even want to know what’s around the next corner. I have a gambler’s personality. I love not knowing what’s going to happen next. That’s why I’m good at rolling with the punches. I know not everything will work out. I also know my phone could ring three minutes from now with a big surprise.
Agents are workaholics. Morning till night we work. We know something doesn’t come from nothing.
I’m happy I chose the career I did. But remember, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. It’s a roller coaster but roller coasters are fun. If you don’t think they are fun, you may want to get off the ride.
The Girl, the Homes, the Stories 