Here's what I'm at.. I got my certificate yesterday from Real Estate School. I had a meeting with the broker I'll be working for this morning. I'm meeting him at his lawyers office Monday to get my app to take my tests and the sponsorship papers signed and notarized and will send them with the fee. So, soon I'll have my license..

My question is what steps should I be taking right now to get prepared? I'm reading The Millionair Real Estate Agent right now by Gary Keller. I'm an education junky, so what are some good books that a beginning agent would benefit from?

What else should I be doing besides reading to get ready?

Well, a couple of things I have gleaned from the great educators on this board:

1. Get a web site. (I cannot credit this to the individuals on this board, I knew this long before passing the test).

2. Begin contacting your SOI (Sphere of Influence) letting them know you have entered the field of Real Estate. They may end up being the source of many qualified leads to help you through the initial marketing phase of your business.

3. Polish those sales skills. All the books in the world won't help unless you can either bring in sales skills or learn them and apply them. I highly recommend Tom Hopkins' books. I've always disagreed with the myth that "knowledge is power". I believe that the application of that knowledge is the *true* power. Of course, customer service skills will absolutely help, but sales is the core of the real estate sales business.

4. Realize that this is a business (not a job) that is being started and marketing budgets, marketing plans, sales calls, and just about anything else related to starting a business (not starting a job) will apply. This is the biggest thing about entering real estate that you must realize and work and adapt your methods accordingly. Treating the Real Estate sales profession as "just a job" will only lead to failure. In addition to sales skills, read material on starting and running a business, creating and maintaining pipelines of leads, lead generation, contracts, negotiations, and presentations.

That's all that I can think of at this point (at least with what I am working to accomplish while my license is on the way).

You might find the "New Agent Fast Start Plan" here of value.

I would also read the book named "Your 1st Year in Real Estate". I read that book and it will open our eyes to many new things. It is a very simple book to read too.

Right on Agent 007...I second that. That was my second book I'd purchased and really brought an up close in your face reality to the game.

Buy supplies from eBay - I got several RE books for cheaps and just scored a new Supra iBox lockbox for only $79.

Thanks everybody for the tips..
Artiste-
The broker I'm working for supplies all the lockboxes I need. He just says that if I lose them they are $100 apiece.

Congratulations! Well, of course, I have to recommend my book, Sell with Soul (see below). Here's a link to an excerpt (7 Myths of a Real Estate Career) that you might find interesting, even if you don't buy the book.

http://www.sellwithsoul.com/7mythsofrealestate.html

There are lots of approaches to success in real estate. Some people swear by Mike Ferry, some are Brian Buffini groupies, others love Tom Hopkins. I've explored them all and found that none of them "spoke" to me, so I did it my own way... made some mistakes, but my business was/is truly MY business.

That said, I think the Idiot's Guide to Success as a Real Estate Agent is good.

Jennifer

There are lots of books you can read, lots of training materials you can purchase - all of which are very useful - only if we put action to them.

On top of all the suggestions that have been said, I also want to add a "Personality" test if you havent already done that. Every salesperson have a different way of doing business. I'm a non-confrontational, never in your face type personality, hence some training materials may not work with my personality. That being said, it doesnt mean that I shouldnt change (I have a bad taste about "salespeople"). I am willing to get out of my comfort zone - up to a certain extend that it doesnt change my principles of doing business.

Education is great. Tweak things to suit your personality. It's only as good as we put it to work! Up to a certain point, it's time to put the readings/ study into action.

Good luck. I'm in the same boat with you. Still trying to find what is natural to and for me.

EXCELLENT POINT Fatmaxx!!!!

Jennifer

Execute! Execute! Execute!

Please don't train yourself into (dare I say it?) failure. I'm a former corporate trainer and I agree with the posts here. I'm also one of those who will use training on some level as an excuse to not prospect. I've had to set and commit to goals of telephone calls daily. When you really feel prepared and all of the paperwork is in place, please go get the business!