How long did it take you before your first sale?

Interesting question... as I recall I had my first sale (written contract) within 45 days. I considered this very quick as I had just moved to the city 30 days prior. I suppose the next question is 'how did I get it?' ... This was 1995 and I was actually walking and knocking (believe it or not). Shortly thereafter (within 1 year) I built one of the first real estate websites in the area and each year my business grew from there. 5% web clients year one, 10% year two and now I am easily 95% of all new leads and clients generated by the Internet. The rest of my business is through referrals.

My advice, get your own website (not a company one) and leverage this as much as you can. Keep in mind if there aren't at least 10 ways to generate a lead from your website then it is a waste of time. We aren't working to give our services away... don't be afraid to ask for something from a prospect before you give up the farm!

Thanks and good luck!

3 months

Parker,
I'm getting ready to do my site very soon. How about a few examples of "at least 10 ways to generate a lead from your website". I would love to hear some ideas if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks in advance,
Will Rose

6 LONG MONTHS!!!!!!!!
If you want to get a head start on your new career in real estate, I would suggest reading a book called "what no one tells you about real estate" that can be found on www.realestatecareersecrets.com

Reguy - Thanx for you input on this topic. I am going into my 4th month. Glad to know I am not alone. Thanx for the tip on the book. I am reading Idiots Guide to Selling Real Estate, keeps me motivated. I will succeed, have to remain patient.

A little under half a year until my first closing payday.

2 closings first 3 mos.

Is it possible to have a full time job and do real estate in the evenings and weekends? Not sure I can survive w/o an income for 6 months. I try cold calling during the day but no one is ever home, so I figured I'd take up a day job. Any advice is most appreciated.

RachCrow get rid of the job.

Find out who is really successfull in your area or in your office and be a part of that team.You will make better decisions and eliminate alot of the pitfalls by having a good mentor to guide you.Yes you will have to split some of the commission,but if this allowed you to start a career and only do r.e. full time it would be worth it.I worked a part time job my first year it doesn't work out.

good luck

I have known people that have been very successful doing RE part time, so I know it can work. You just have to be smart at your prospecting. I am just starting out as a part time agent myself, so I really can't speak from experience yet. No, I don't expect to be a top producer, but I do expect to lay the foundation to go full time in a few years.

Most RE work with clients is in evenings and on weekends. And at first, most of your time will be prospecting anyway. I figure if I can do ok during this down cycle, then by building a decent contact list before I go fulltime should make it that much easier.

I think a lot of "fulltime" agents (maybe not most) don't really just do sales either, they are into other things, whether it is real estate investment, title company, appraisals, property management, etc.

3 mos. for my first buyer. 2 mos for my first listing.

About 6 months...it was for my mother.

1991, the first 3 months had lots of training
(C-21), the next 3 months worked to get business, the last 6 months of the year had 6 closings.

Just started 7 weeks ago. 3 within first month. 2 referred to me by business contacts. 1 personal acquaintance. 2 more from my website on the way.

Great you are seeking education from books as well. I recommend 2 books - The Emyth Revisited (Gerber) and The Millionaire Real Estate Agent (Keller). Both will give great advice for how to get your business started in a focused, efficient manner. By the way, I highly recommend The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, but I am NOT with Keller Williams.

Almost six months before my first closing.