Where should I work as a Real Estate Agent

Its an absolute honor for any Real Estate Company to hang your license on their wall, and it should be treated that way. I have said it in my previous Blogs and will say it again, Keller Williams Realty has the privilege of displaying my name. Not only am I proud to say I am with Keller Williams, but they are just as proud to say I am with them!

1. The most important factor to look for in a Real Estate Company as a new agent has got to be training! The company you choose should have an extensive training program designed to mentor you and teach you the daily life of being an agent, how to handle objections from both buyers and sellers, how to prospect and build your database, how to market your listings, what to do with a contract, how to work hard for your buyers and overall HOW TO BE AN AGENT!

To many agents get into this business and they go with the company that offers them the highest "commission splits" (which we will focus on in another weeks blog) but in reality, if you don't know how to be an agent, then who cares what the split between you and the company is because you wont have any sales to have to worry about it! That was a long winded sentence, but I hope you understand what I am saying.

2. Location. Frankly, if your office is located miles from your home in an inconvenient location the chances of you actually attending the training offered or being present for floor time is minimal. I have already discussed the importance of training. Floor time, a.k.a. duty time, is a sure way for you to generate leads. You will be responsible for answering phones and assisting anyone who walks into the office to buy or sell. If your office is to far from home its to easy to say "I think I will just work from home today" or "It wont hurt if I don't come in this week".

3. The people! Your co-workers! Yes, this is an independent contractor type of business, but if you want to be successful you will be spending hours upon hours in training and in the office lead generating with these people. Look for a company that has the general "feel" that is comfortable for you. For instance, there is a company that I work with often, when I walk in the doors I feel like everyone is stuffy and snooty and the lights are always dimmed low. I personally cannot work in that environment. I am aware of another office that is full on high energy! Like go! go! go! go! go! I can stand that but I am not super comfortable. I found a company that has such a good mix of people. I was comfortable from the moment I walked in the door!

There are many other factors that will be discussed when you meet with the Broker of the companies that you chose to interview, but always keep the above factors in mind!

Join me next week for a LIST of questions to ask when you interview with a Real Estate Company

Links Here is the link to the Nebraska Real Estate Commission Website. This site provides you with a list of approved pre-license courses and where they are offered. The pdf will also state whether or not those classes are offered online or correspondence through the school that you are looking at. I invite you to look around on this site, learn as much as you can about the process before you get started.
http://www.nrec.ne.gov/

This next link will take you to Randall School of Real Estate. Randall is where I completed all of my classes correspondence. Being a busy mom of two little boys, correspondence was the best option. I was able to work at my own pace and only reported to the school for a midterm and a final exam for each class.
http://randallschool.com/

www.kw.com

I signed up for Real Estate classes! Now what?!

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!  You have taken the first step in becoming an agent! You are either going to FLY through class via correspondence/online and twiddle your thumbs for a few weeks until your background check comes in, or, you are going to take your time in class and get your background check before you are even close to being complete.

Either way, there are several things to be thinking about during the licensing process.

1. This is the most important really. Where are you going to hang your license? Who's wall will have the honor of displaying your hard work? Start the search! Next weeks blog will be focused on what to look for in a company.

2. Start telling EVERYONE you know that you are getting your license. Plaster it in their minds! That way, once you have your license, you will already be the first person they think of when it comes to buying or selling real estate.

3. Start building a database. A solid database should start with 200 people. Go through your Facebook, your phone, your email and your address books and type up an excel spreadsheet containing the names, phone number, email address, and physical address of your family, friends and acquaintances. Don't have their physical address? Take that opportunity to call and say "Hey! I am working on getting my Real Estate License. I am looking to build my database and would like for you to be a part of it. I have your phone number and email, but I am missing your address. Also, I will be done with class in around 2 weeks, I will send you some of my business cards. I need your help getting my name out there!".

4. Shadow an agent or start training. It can be overwhelming enough to be in class. However, if you have the extra time, I would highly recommend shadowing a Realtor for a couple of days a week. This will help you get a feel for what the day in the life of an agent is like and they can guide you on how to get started once you pass your exam. Many companies offer training on a weekly basis. As a potential agent, those companies should welcome you with open arms to attend their training! Quick fun fact, at Keller Williams (the awesome company that gets to rock my license on their wall) an agent that attends at least 2 trainings a month will on average sell 20 units with a $102,000 gross income while an agent that does not will sell 6 units with a $29,000 gross income.

Links
Here is the link to the Nebraska Real Estate Commission Website. This site provides you with a list of approved pre-license courses and where they are offered. The pdf will also state whether or not those classes are offered online or correspondence through the school that you are looking at. I invite you to look around on this site, learn as much as you can about the process before you get started.
http://www.nrec.ne.gov/

This next link will take you to Randall School of Real Estate. Randall is where I completed all of my classes correspondence. Being a busy mom of two little boys, correspondence was the best option. I was able to work at my own pace and only reported to the school for a midterm and a final exam for each class.
http://randallschool.com/

Thanks again, please like, share, and help spread the word on how to become an agent! Join me next week to find out what qualities to look for in the company you chose :0)