Hi all! This is my first post to the site.

I will be taking my test very soon and I already have an office. My question is, after taking the test and getting settled at my desk, whats next? Going door to door with my business card? Passing out cards at the mall? I have access to free embroidery and plan to have some shirts done to wear around. I am already building up a client base through friends that own businesses. Also, I am also scared because I was reading a forum on another site where people were discussing the extinction of the RE Agent. I really don't see how there is any truth to that. People were discussing how there are so many agents that people are taking flat rate commisions, and comepeting just for a name. I know I am not going to make millions working in RE (esp in my area) but I would like to know I will have the security of knowing I will be an excellent agent. I am outgoing, friendly, and smart, and I do care about the client not just the $, which I know is very important. Plus, I will be working in a family oriented office where that is known. I will be selling RE in the Poconos, PA if anyone has any advice on how the market is here, how well they are doing etc. THANKS!

That website is stupid.If anything the real estate agent is going ot become MORE valuable in the future!

The official statistic is paperwork is increasing by 50% every 3 to 5 years.We liv ein a Litigous society where everyone wants to sue for money.The contracts get longer each year with more special stips,addendums etc. making it harder for the average seller to understand the contract.

Negotiating the contract was one of the top reasons people used an agent to sell there property.

I have read also that the agents are going bye-bye and technology is taking over. I have found that 90% of my clients really don't care how good I am on a computer what they care about is my ability to represent them in their RE transaction. How quickly I get my clients information or respond to their calls, knowledge of the market, and honesty are the items I get the most praise for on my closing surveys.
Wear your T-shirts, but also TALK REAL ESTATE! That is very important! And when you do talk about it make sure to ask who they know looking to buy or sell. They may not have someone in mind at the moment but if someone mentions having a real estate need, you want them to think of you.
Get involved in your community. That is huge, you will meet so many people and build relationships that will hopefully bring you referrals in the future.
I know farming seems a thing of the past but I do it. I mail at least a postcard to every property in the small town I live in every month. A recipe, a holiday greeting anything that reminds them I am in real estate. The first year it was discouraging I wasn't getting anything from it, but I would say about a quater of my new clients each year are directly from my farming or a referral from someone who receives my mailings.
Most important, you have to understand that real estate is not a part time job. It is a way of life for successful real estate agents.
Good Luck!

I do understand that real estate is a way of life and I have no problem with it. I have been interested in becoming a realtor surprisingly since I was in middle school. I was just drawn to buying and selling houses and how personal of a job it was. I have no problem sitting on my computer till 8 at night doing searches. The way I see it, I can take my work with me via my laptop anywhere. I can go to the mall or the park on a nice day, and do some work without being anchored to a desk.

The first two things you need to start doing right away are:

1. Start learning your market. Preview, preview preview. Visit new home communities. Do practice CMA's. Make sure you know your MLS inside and out. Preview all your office listings. Preview all the listings in your own neighborhood.

2. Get your SOI organized. It's likely that your first several sales will come from the people you know if you approach them right. You sound like an intelligent, competent person. This will go a long way toward getting business from the people who know you, even though you're brand new.

Don't spend any money on marketing to strangers unless you have a whole lot of it (money, that is!).

GOOD LUCK!!!!! You're gonna be great!

Thank you so much for the encouragement! I am learning so much from this site and others. I am trying to learn as much as I can. I have been going to my office and working with some agents to get a jump ahead so when I do get my license it won't be a total shock to me.

I am sure that all the agents out there who have been around for a while can tell you that real estate agents have always been "Facing Extinction" according to one group or another.

Back in '89 when I got into the business initially, there was already talk then about how the days of the real estate agent were numbered.

Frankly, it's all crap.

There will always be a place for the agent that really does their job. The bottom line is that buying and selling property is not a simple task. It can be stressful and if you forget that one document, disclosure or addendum you can end up in court or worse for a really long time.

R

I am also new and have thought about putting my listings on freetampabay.com. Has anyone else tried this? Apparantly, they have a site for almost any city and you can post listings for free and create profiles.

Does that break any RE code of ethics? I figured more visibility is good and free is better, but I'm new to the game. Any suggestions?