I've just today registered for 2 of the 4 classes I'll need to take my exam...thinking I'll be ready by the end of this year.
Wednesday evening, I went to a "Career Night" at one of the Real Estate schools in my area. I talked with a few of the brokers who were there, filled out their info sheet, etc. Everyone knew I hadn't taken any classes yet, and my timeframe (I need to save some big $$ between now and then) and income needs prevents me from starting my RE career till 2008. So what happens Thursday? I get calls from managers of the 2 offices I'd put down that I'd be interested in working with -- WHEN the time comes. They want to talk to me NOW. I have 2 appointments (interviews?) on Monday. I'm excited, but confused. If there's such a glut of RE Agents out there, why bother with ME?? I won't be nearly ready to earn any money for them or me for at least 6 months.

What can I expect on Monday? But this weekend...I'm going shopping!! I need "Real Estate Agent" clothes!!!

Brokers make money when agents sell properties. For many brokers, the more agents, the better. Most don't spend money on training, milk you for your sphere of influence sales, and then leave you fending for yourself.

Think of it this way. They prospect for agents the way you'll be prospecting for clients. It's a numbers game, and the numbers lead to sales, which leads to checks.

Looks like a win win for the brokers huh?

I realize all that...it just seems like a lot of trouble for them when I won't be ready for 6 months or so. But it'll still be good to hear their proposal.

The more they talk with you now... The better chance they have of swaying you to them when you are ready. Another thing as well, the brokers are responsible to turn in a specific quota of how many "Potential" agents they have spoken with. You become one more number to help them reach their goal.

Don't worry so much about their reasons, rather view this as a learning experience for you. Sort-of a practice interview!

That's what I was thinking, too. I'm looking forward to it!!


And thanks!

If you are not ready to talk to then yet why do it? I am sure that they will still want to talk to you when you are ready next year.

Building relationships! That's the ticket to selling houses too. If you run into someone who is interested in buying a house next year you still want to talk with them, find out what their plans are, and keep in touch with them. When the time comes you want to be top-of-mind. It works the same way with brokers recruiting.

I've always heard this, too, but what's to guarantee that when a person gets their license, all of a sudden their SOI is going to be selling or buying?

I agree!! Hopefully I'll make a good enough impression on them that they'll remember me when the time comes.

I'm ALWAYS ready to talk! Like I said, they know my time frame and still wanted to meet me. Even if I'm just part of their quota, it'll be a learning experience for me. And I get to see what their offices are like...to see if "I" like "them".

Please post up your experiences. Where in NE Ohio are you. I am actually in the NE Ohio area as well and am thinking about starting sometime in late 2007/early 2008. I have been lurking here on this forum for about a month and have read a lot of useful information.

Paceryder - regarding your SOI question - you've bought into the mistaken idea that an SOI business model simply means you pester and cold-call the people you know hoping that you catch them on the verge of buying or selling a home. If you have 50 friends and none of them have a real estate need today, then you just have to wait around (while continuing to pester them) until someone does.

That's not how it works at all.

1. Don't ever, ever cold call or pester your friends. I'm actually against even asking for referrals, but most won't agree with that. (see this blog on Active Rain http://activerain.com/blogsview/72193/Referrals-When-s-The - I explain myself in two of the comments).

If your friends 1. feel that you are a reasonably competent human being and 2. know that you sell real estate and 3. know where to find your phone number, AND they LIKE you because you're a cool person, you will get their business when the time comes. However, if you annoy them by continually asking for business and referrals, they will start to avoid you.

2. Every one of your 50 friends knows at least 50 people. Of those 2500 people, some will have a real estate need. Will you get all of them? Of course not. But you might get 10, you might even get 20, depending on the strength of your SOI campaign.

3. You need to expand your SOI on a daily basis. Again, not by being pushy or pester-y, but by meeting people, being an interesting person who happens to sell real estate and LOVES it. Again, I'll refer you to Active Rain - http://activerain.com/blogsview/76321/Your-Elevator-Speech - for a little advice on how to motivate people to ask for your business card...

Elecat - sorry to hijack the thread... but I hope it's helpful!

Jennifer

You can be sure I'll keep you posted! I'm in the western 'burbs of Cleveland. Where are you??