If you’ve been in real estate long, you know there is no secret sauce or magic bullet to success. While this can be a bit scary and intimidating to someone that is new to the game, it should also be exciting and thrilling. Success in real estate can look like a lot of different things; you can blaze a new trail!
This doesn’t mean that there isn’t shareworthy advice to help you get started in your new career. We recently asked some of our more seasoned REALTORS® “If you could go back in time, what one piece of advice would you give yourself?” From educational opportunities to mentoring and networking tips, here is some advice to help you thrive!
- Don't be a "secret agent.” Do not ever let an opportunity go by when you have a chance to tell everyone you know that you are in the business of Real Estate. – Carol Alexander STL Buy & Sell, Bradenton
- Shadow the most successful agent that is willing to mentor you. Take the time to get answers to your questions and learn the why as well as the how. – Al Brady, RE/MAX Boone Realty, Columbia
- Read and know all the contract forms, these are the tools of your trade, and be sure you understand them. And never take "NO" as personal--the sooner you can thicken your skin to this response the better. - Deborah Mundell, Keller Williams, Branson
- Get as much education as possible, as early as possible. Especially education that relates to actually running a real estate business (like GRI and other designations). Get involved or at least be engaged in your Local and State Association. This is where you learn about changes in laws, forms changes, advocate for your industry, and network with and learn from other REALTORS®. - Hank Vogt, RE/MAX Jefferson City
- Go for it! Don't second guess your brilliant ideas! Implementation is the key to success. One of the most common questions I hear from newer agents is, "Which system works the best?" The answer is simple, ANY marketing/sales system will help grow your business. The best system for you is whichever one you are willing to work. There is no magic potion, so work hard, follow through and dream big. - Michelle Walker, STL Buy & Sell, REALTORS®, St. Peters
- Stay in touch with your sphere of influence on a regular basis because that is where the majority of your business will come from, and that means you must have some type of system that allows for that to happen. It has to be electronically based, so that you save time and energy and can set a lot of things up at the beginning of the year and let the system run itself. Education is key, and twelve hours every two years is not enough to learn all that you need to know. Always put the customer/client first - don't think about the commission check - they will come if you take care of your customers/clients. - Fran Cashion, Better Homes & Gardens, Kansas City
- Enjoy the processes and the changes that we encounter every day. Be flexible and have FUN! - Sandy Green, ReeceNichols Granada, Leawood, KS
- I’ve found that the more I’ve tried to help others, the more I, myself, learned and benefitted from it and my business grew fast. I would say that if I could go back in time, I would give even more training time to others. It's Karma, as what you give is what you get and I have been blessed many times over! - Renee Ryan Edwards, ReeceNichols East, Lee's Summit
- Selling yourself, believing in yourself, and being TOTALLY interested in the seller is key. The same for representing a buyer. - Letty VanKleeck, Murney Associates, Springfield
- Take advantage of every learning opportunity. Every client and affiliate has something important to share! I learn something new with each and every meeting. - Anna L Hatridge, Goodson Realty, Park Hills
- Grab a mentor to bounce ideas off of. Never feel you are too new to expect special one-on one-time. You need the experience of your peers to add value to your business plan. There is no such thing as a dumb question. - Judy Bateman, STL Buy and Sell, St. Peters
- It doesn't matter WHAT system you use to stay in touch with your clients, but that you WORK your system. I feel this will always be a relationship business! That's what makes it the most fun in my opinion! - Heather Condon, Century 21 Whitney Agency, Inc., Kirksville
- Write a well thought out five year business plan including a budget. – Dan O Neill, ReeceNichols East, Independence
If you are new to real estate, which one piece of advice jumps out to you?