I'm Overwhelmed, Where do I begin as a new agent?

I've passed the Exam and now I need to sell a house?

New agents join the real estate industry planning to make a living.  As soon as the new agent passes the real estate exam and joins a brokerage the agent discovers that the instructor forgot to show them how to sell houses.  Guess what? The instructor didn't forget.  The goal of the licensing class is to make sure agents understand the law, ethics & fair housings. 

Now that you've passed the class you find out that you must learn a host of new software programs, list houses, work with buyers and understand how to sell a home short of what's owed.  Now what?  Where should the agent begin?

Ten Tips for the New Real Estate Agent

1.   If your board office has new agent training, SIGN UP.

2.   Most large brokerage companies offer new agent training, SIGN UP.

3.   Most importantly learn how to use the Multiple Listing Service.  If you don't know how to use the MLS, it is like opening a new business with out the inventory.  How can you sell it if you don't know where to find it.  Make sure you understand the MLS and how to navigate through the tax records.

4.   Build a business plan.  Yep!  Keep it simple in the beginning.   Use the real estate products and software that meets your needs.  There is no need to learn everything.  Learn new products monthly or quarterly. 

5.   Select the days you will work 
      - Monday Follow up day 9am to 12p
      - Tuesday attend the broker tours - learn your target market 9am - 1pm
      - Wednesday - update your mailing list.  Build a marketing campaign
      - Thursday - Training - watch a video from your MLS 9am to 10am
      - Friday & Saturday work with buyers

6.   In the beginning your business plan may start off extremely basic.  Once you've been working in the business for a while you will adjust the schedule.  A top agents calendar might look like this:

Don't limit yourself to a paper calendar.  Take advantage of your smartphone, iPads or Google calendar.  This will act as a reminder.  There are other Client Relationship Management tools that will help you track your day.

7.  Commit to working.  If you don't plan you plan to fail.  Successful agents don't wing it.  They actually show up and work their businesses.  Not everyone will list four, 1.5 million dollar homes.  If you have that network, great!  Even you could expand your business.



8.  Learn your personality type.  You may love cold calling, you may love networking, or building your business by referral.  Whatever works for you stick with it. 

9.  Adjust your business plan as needed.  Write down how many listings you plan on having each month or year.  Write down how many buyers you'll assist.  A dream is only a dream until you write it down.  Successful people have their goals written down and in a place they can see it to achieve it!

10.  Now, Let's get busy working with buyers and sellers.  Take a class and remember if you only learn new products you won't earn a dime.  You must participate in the real estate industry to make an income.