I took my State exam today and I presume I passed with Flying Colors. I took and passed my School exam yesterday (Monday) and scored 85% although it could've been higher. It always could, right?

I'm expecting no problems receiving my license within a couple of days. I'm already sponsored by a broker who I found on Craigslist. I feel I can do really well if I'm in the right atmosphere and right environment.

I'm in New York and I'm being sponsored by an apartment rental broker. This is an ok scenario because I'd like to start closing rental deals real fast. I was licensed briefly here in New York in the late 70s but I guess I lost interest and I wasn't really motivated.

So what I'm asking of you is do you think I'll be ok? At the 45 hour class a lot of recruiters came in and said SOON will be the busiest time of the year for Real Estate due to the Summer shifting, etc.

On the Craigslist notice I responded to the ad said I'd be making 200K my first year but I'll settle for 100K or some semblance thereof. However when I got there for my interview it didn't seem like renters were busting down the door to get in there.

So, does anyone have any leads or suggestions for this newbie? I guess I'll have to stay where I am although I saw another ad on Craigslist for a broker promising 30K for commercial deals he needs ppl to cover.

Do you think I should stay put for awhile or does anyone have any other opportunities or leads for me at this time? I should receive my expedited salesperson license in just a couple of days. I'm 48 years old and single. I'm willing to put in the time with a venture that would be in the best interest for you and me.

Please contact me privately or post back to this thread. Thanks!

You'd "settle" for 100k your first year?

I'm a noob as well, but from what I hear on the boards, you shouldn't be expecting to make any money your first year, and possibly not for a few more. But then again, perhaps it's different in the rental market.

Good luck!

I say 100K as a figure because that's mostly what I see on Craigslist. No other reason than that.

Whatever they're offering I'm taking!

Again, if anyone has any leads or New York opportunities my ears are perked up!

Did that 200k have an asterik next to it? Ok.. so I genuinely hope your goal of 100k happens for you, and I do believe that if you set goals you can achieve them, but you may want to find out more about how they got that number. Remember that ad was palced to get your attention, it wasnt a written promise.
My first year my partner and I barely broke even, and we did 18 deals, none less than $300,000. What I didnt not realize when I was new was the actual cost of anything. Between board dues, lockbox key fees, MLS fees, E&0 insurance, marketing, GASOLINE, closing gifts, cell phone bills, technology purchases.. etc etc etc we were nearly broke at the end of the year! Literally it was paycheck to paycheck for us. Luckily we did a lot of business and kept our heads above water, but it takes time to build up a business strong enough to make 100k, none the less 200k. Statistics say that any new business will take 2-3 years to turn a profit. Well, we are independant contractors, and our own new businesses.
As far as advice for newbies, read everything you can on this site- even the old posts. It help- plus it gets you thinking in a real estate state of mind. Go to a bookstore and look for the real estate section.. pick some you are INTERESTED in- dont worry about content at first-just get real estate to the front of your mind.. after that.. look for quality. Ask other agents what books they recommend. Basically start gathering knowledge.
I have never met anyone who has chosen their Broker off of Craigslist. I am assuming you went ahead and did some interviewing before picking that one. I hope so. Long story short though, if you get there and it doesnt work, move along until you find somewhere you can hang your license that works for you. Ther are many many to chose from. each has their benefits and pitfalls.
Good luck to you!

That's great advice. Thank you for taking the time and caring. A few weeks ago I noticed another recruitment ad on Craiglist stating someone wanted help to close $30,000.00 commercial deals.

Maybe I'm gullible...I guess I am.

I met several recruiters (all with boxes of bagels or free pizza plus soda) at the great NYC Real Estate School I just graduated from. I don't understand why they're going begging for agents and buying free pizza and soda for us potential licensees if there's no business to be had. The pizza alone had to set these ppl back $50.00 a pop.

I'm just asking. I have no doubt I passed the New York State test. What I'm asking is 'what do I do now that I (almost) have my Real Estate License in hand?' I don't anticipate any screw-ups as far as receiving my license and it should be here within a day or so.

Does anyone reading this have any offers for me? Tell me what I want to hear and I'll come running.

Also my new and first Broker seems to be exclusively rentals, and that's what I'm looking for right now.

If I remember anything from sales recruiting in the industrial segment (and I'm not saying I do), the recruiters know they will have to "kiss a lot of frogs" before they find a person who has that incredible drive to survive and make money. And that person will pay for that pizza and many more pies in the future.

That's great Darlene B. I love this response!~

Also my offer still stands. If anyone has an offer for me my ears are perked up.

The people springing for free pizza or bagels want as many people to join up as possible in the hopes that one or two stick and become productive agents. The $50 they spend is not a lot of money if they can recruit one good producing agent.

I don't know of any Broker throwing huge deals at brand new agents, why would they? That makes no sense at all.

Most Realtors have to find their own business, noone I know gets their license and goes to work and the Broker hands them enough business to be a top producer.

You asked for someone to tell you what you want to hear and you'll come running? Ummm, ok.

I'll tell you what you don't want to hear:

Get to work and prospect, prospect, prospect. Then you'll earn some money.

There are more than enough competent agents already out there that no broker/agent would ever need to advertise on Craigslist to get help from a new agent. No one is going to hand plum deals to a rookie agent just because they don't have the time to do them themselves, they'd hand the plum deals to another experienced agent hungry for the opportunity instead.

$100K in yoru first year can be done, but it will take a lot of work and heart. I did a bit more then that in net profit my first year which was good enough to make me #3 rookie of the year in my large company in the southwest region of the USA. In other words ... very, very few new agents make a hundred grand in their first year but it definitely can be done.

You could get lucky and land a spot working for an agent/broker who will hand you plum deals but that is highly unlikely. I suggest you bust you ass and learn all you can about marketing and prospecting and earn your own keep.

One last suggestion: screw Craigslist. Go find a good broker on your own.

You're not "getting" it. Nothing is handed to you, you have to find the business on your own. If you cannot go out and FIND clients (buyers or renters or sellers or landlords) on yoru own you'll starve. That's yoru job, to go find clients. You don't make a penny until you do.

Uhhh, well, you have it completely mixed up. They are not recruiting new agents to hand them business. They are recruiting new agents hoping that some of you might actually get out there and work and produce business on your own.

Call some of those Brokers that give you free pizza and ask them how much they will pay you to work for them. Ask them if they will give you big contracts to work your first day.

I have good news!

My first day on the job was today and although I didn't close any deals myself, the agents all around me did, or got close.

Therefore I am happy to report that things don't look bleak at all. In fact quite the contrary. Need I tell you this seems like a rental-only office.

Where was I a year or two ago?

I think I'll be ok. I really do. They say it's gonna get hectic this weekend. I'll be ready for whatever comes my way. Seems to me the senior agents there are racking in the big bucks. My opportunity is sure to follow.

Thank you all, and I'll let you know.

What can an agent make in today's market?

As much or as little as your efforts bring in.