I'm a New Real Estate Agent! Don't Waste My Time!

I both agree and disagree. Activity breeds success, but there is a lot of things that we can do in that first year to fill our time.  That said, managing your time and focusing on higher rewarding activities is important.  It's not that you won't learn doing the lesser rewarding things (and that's always a good thing), it's just that you can do better by concentrating.

 

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services 

 

Jennifer,

I am closing in two weeks with a guy whose sister is a Real Estate Agent! How cool is that. In a general conversation about 6 months ago, he had told me his sister didn't want to work with him because he couldn't afford that much of a home. Well he and his wife are going to be moving in a great new home very shortly! I agree that "anything" to do with Real Estate is not wasting time, but planting a seed for later fruition!

I've heard over and over the "don't waste your time with...".  From my perspective everything I do for those that "waste" my time 1). educates me  2). helps me to put others first  3). gives me the opportunity to reflect the real estate profession in a positive light....I don't know who or what that "time waster" has come across and what they think of Realtors.  Who knows, maybe next year, when they are ready to buy, I'll be the one they remember.

Time is money!  It might be instant money...not in our business.  It might be down the road money...very possible in our business.  It might just be that you made such an impression to go out of your way to help, that it becomes referral money!!  I find myself always helping others.  I am an one agent office, no one else in the family sells, but I find myself helping a  lot of people that call wanting information on rentals, etc.  I could tell them to take a hike, but some of them become buyers and they didnt think they would qualify!!

Oh, my fruit is blackberry...reminds me, I got a new toy, a Blackberry phone. I sure wish I knew how to use it.  I need to get my teenagers to show me how to set it up...sigh :-)

Very good points I can't stand to see an agent sitting in the office. That is why I do not require office time for my agents. You cannot accomplish anything sitting in the office.

Jeniffer:

As a newbie, I agree with you about option 2.  However, if the client already have an signed EBA, and you go show him houses, wouldn't you be violating the client/agent relationship?  I think you could get in legal trouble if you convert him or her.

Nice points :) I agree 100%!!!!

I find myself in this position quite often. Being a newbie, I don't mind at all if my broker calls me up to show one of his homes because he can't do it. In fact...I tell him all the time...call me first!!!! I don't have a lot of listings, or clients (yet), so ANY chance I get to show a home...I TAKE IT! I even do open houses for other agents who either can't or don't want to do them. You never know what is going to happen! It's a great way for me, as a new guy, to get my name and my face out there!

Thanks for the post...:)

Great advice.  With so many agents being full of themselves and "too busy" to give good service to their clients, many of them are losing their clients to hungry agents who will be there for them.

Good points.  Although we always blame others for wasting our time, we are the ones who waste our own time by choices we make.

I really wouldnt consider anything that I do in and for real estate as time wasters even after I pass my 1st year. I'm going on 4th and still going strong. Do I do open houses knowing that it may not find me my next buyer? Or knowing that no one might show up? - My last 2 open houses, I have no one showed. Not even nosy neighbors. Sure I would. Why? I studied the neighborhood and I'm a nosy realtor. I'll never know when I'll be able to use that data for another client who is looking in the area..... I've had so many experiences like this. I cant say Enough... There are no time-wasters. It's a matter of choice of how we choose to look at it.

A glass half empty or half full.

Jennifer:

All good points - I do agree and I am definitely "new". I feel like everything I do, especially being face to face with people is all good. Even if I sit afterwards and think of the things I could have said when they said this or that.

I spent 1-1/2 hours recently with a potential seller (with a 40 min. drive each way) knowing ahead of time that they had a set price they wanted to list their property for and knowing ahead of time that it is unrealistic. We talked about a lot of different things, including her daughter who wants to buy a house, but doesn't have good credit. I felt like I actually did have some knowledge and guidance to pass along. I plan to keep in touch, knowing that nothing may ever come of it, other than a little experience in dealing with clients on my part. 

Great points. I'm a Home Stager and i still have to remind myself that anyone that i can talk to about what i do could be a referral source, not just the real estate agent or person looking to sell their house now.

thanks for that kick in the pants.

Shawn

Great points Jennifer, it can never hurt to be flexible!

Hi Jennifer - Well, if it is an office listing, I would never refuse an opportunity for a showing.  We owe it to our Seller.  One question: Do you notify the agent representing the buyer? 

Basically, I agree with you whole heartedly.  There really are no time wasters.  I will need to discuss the implications of state law in my office, though, to understand what I can and cannot (versus what I want) to do.  Thus my question.  Thanks!

Sounds like good advice to me. "The harder I work the luckier I get." UNKNOWN

Anyway, I think you will still have some agents argue with you about it. But theres nothing that takes the place of getting people to know you by name ( in a positive way )