Hello, I'm a 23 year old guy. I'd like to make my way into the real estate field within the next 4 years. I absolutely love real estate and I have an incredible idea on how to get clients, especially buyers. I plan to move to Las Vegas next year and hopefully become an agent within 2 or 3 years after that.

My problem is that I fear people will not want to work with me because I simply look too young. I'm 23, probably will be 26 when I begin my real estate career and I look maybe 18 to 20, on a good day. I doubt I'll look much older 3 years from now.

It's different different for a girl (young female agents I think have an easier time), but no one want to buy a house from a kid (or atleast one who looks like a kid).

I'm very intelligent, I always dress very well, I have a very adult attitude and demeanor, and I'm very good looking (not a bias observation, I've been "the good looking kid" since I was a kid, and all through school). But I fear I will not be able to gain their trust due to my boyish looks.

Anyone else have this problem? I'm considering starting a work out regimen to build muscle and perhaps make myself look thicker (I'm pretty thin).

I KNOW I could get buyers, and I KNOW I can master the Las Vegas real estate market, but will the buyers trust me once they meet me face to face? I'm thinking it will be "less" of a big deal because it's Las Vegas, and people might be a bit more laid back. I know I'll have to use my marketing skills to overcome this handicap.

Any advice?

Grow a beard. LOL

I think that you'll need to just make sure you have a mature persona that lets everyone know that you KNOW what you are doing and you are capable of handling their needs.

Rather than see it as a handicap find ways to use it to your advantage and play it up.

I started real estate just after having turned 24. If you don't worry about it, are professional, knowledgeable, and at least ACT confident, very few people will give you any trouble. Some of my best clients are well outside of my generation and they dont' give me any trouble.

I overcome all of those issues by going far above and beyond satisfying my customers. I feel that if I'm only satisfying them, I'm not doing a good job. Instead, I try to find ways to give them more than they expect constantly and consistently. Having this approach will solve a lot of problems before they ever even happen.

If you have an especially young looking face, consider not using your photograph on your marketing material. Other than that, if you are confident in yourself you'll do fine.

And if all else fails, use a good one-liner such as "well, since I'm young, I haven't had the time to learn all the tricks that the older agents use to pull money out of your pocket without you knowing!"

It's not an issue unless you make it one.

I started at age 23. I'm still selling 2.5 years later and haven't done too badly. You're being your own worst enemy here. I would consider facial hair, perhaps a receding hairline like myself....gain some weight.....look old.

I'm kidding....

Seriously, just do what you do man. And I wouldn't wait that long to get into real estate if you don't have to. I have to ask: What's holding you back from getting in now?

He probably read about saving up nearly a year's worth of money to live off while he gets started.

That's what's stopping ME! Argh!

I'm still working on building what will be the source of 99% of my clients.

Also, I don't live in Las Vegas yet...YET. =p

Also, it must have been a lot easier for you, and I don't mean this as insulting, but judging from the pic on your website, you look a solid 30 - 35 years old. I couldn't grow a beard if I tried or gain 10lbs.

well, you are going to get your license now, right? there is nothing to stop you from trying to get work from your SOI in the meantime before you go 100%. Any commission you may get could go in a special "New Career Account." One average deal could get you $3,000 or more! (If I sold a $150,000 house, an average for around here I would get about $2700.)

I signed up for the first 2 classes Saturday...they start in May. The second 2 classes will be taken in the Fall. I just don't have the time or money right now to take all of them.
But it's a start!

You sound exactly like me! I was 22 when I got my license. I am now 24.

So tell us. What is this big idea that you have to get buyers? You won't be in the business for a few years, so you have no need to worry about anyone stealing your future clients. Can you tell us?

Just for finding a buyer? 2.7% for one side of the sale? I thought it was like 1.5%. Wow. In Vegas, most houses are $200k+, and if I sold one a week.... =D

I really really cannot. It's an online service and others here would for sure try to do it before I did (although they probably would fail). Because of my vast knowledge of the internet and how to utilize it, I will be one of the first realtors I've seen to TRULY take advantage of the internet.

wow.....

Wow what?

The fact that you are young probably means you already have a huge friends list on My Space and will be a pioneer when it comes to videos (podcasting) on You Tube or by capitalizing on new technology like Adobe's "Apollo" or from Microsoft's "Silverlight". I still would not try to re-create the wheel completely. I would get your feet wet as a REALTOR in your home state NOW and maybe be a young male version of Perky_Assistant who happens to now be Perky_REALTOR You could make money which would help you fund your future plans by helping agents with their web sites, marketing, and the old dinosaurs on how to read their e-mail or scan, copy, and paste etc. or forward e-mails to phones, or cleaning cookies, files, history, and defragging etc. Some of the agents, have had laptops for years and don't know to do that or debug etc. You could be the resident tech person and still learn the real ends and outs of this wonderful business. They really don't teach you how to be a real estate agent in class.

The following is an edited post from Agent 007 who just happens to be from Las Vegas. Which he failed to mention! Go to Want your opinions post to read. The "advice" gives insight on the way various agents think. Plus I always have doubt when someone says "With all honesty," or statements like "you have no need to worry". Be careful of what you say on this site. "This is a dog eat dog business"

Cool Cat, what is your point?

The guy said he isn't even going to be in the business for a few years. Why would I be a threat to him? I noticed how you pointed out that I am from Vegas. Who cares? Am I obligated to announce that in every post? You really need to think about how you just applied the "dog eat dog" saying by stepping on my feet for no reason. It really does tell me how you are. Don't judge me! Look at the difference of our post count on here. You are just a newbie to this community and you are already stepping on other's feet! I have been around this forum for quite some time giving mostly great advice and feedback to others.

Oh, and one more thing. This forum is to share ideas with the rest of the members. Hence the "Real Estate Idea Center" forum title. Most of us are in much different markets than each other, so it doesn't hurt to share any advice or ideas with others. I am not sure what the big deal is of sharing the buyer idea if you aren't going to be in the business for a while anyway. It has probably already been done before. If it hasn't maybe some of us can comment on it and give advice on how to make it better.

If you sold one a week you'd be kicking arse by most new and old agents standards!




...amen!

1) Why would he want to have competition be entrenched with his system years in Las Vegas before he starts?

2) Your right, you probably would not be a threat to him. (I've read your posts.)

3) You are not obligated to to announce where you are from. (You have all of your info in your profile, unlike Realthing) However, this a newbie to the site, that announced he has a great system or idea for picking up buyers in Las Vegas. You should have disclosed that you were from Las Vegas, luckily he was smart to not give away his secret.

4) This business can be a dog eat dog. I try to treat people courteous, unless they show that they are a dog, then I treat them as such.

5) I'm not judging you. I exposed you.

6) I would not have stepped on your toes, if you were not under foot.

7) For fun, I went back in time and read a lot of your posts. (Remember I asked if you were originally from Indiana because of a past post?) I think you are stretching when you say that you give mostly great advice and feedback to others. I would say occasionally.

8) What new idea or system have you brought forward?

9) Most of us are in different markets, but you are in the same market that this newbie is going to start his practice.

10) Maybe it has been done before. (I might be going overboard and overreacting) I just got irritated when you said


You live in Las Vegas, won't those be his future clients? Would you give away a "Incredible Idea" to your competition?



One thing notice how all of Agent 007 posts have his signature at the bottom of his posts except the one in question? Maybe that is why his handle is 007 because he is sneaky.

Fellow agents, If I miss read this or overreacted to Agent 007 posts, please let me know and I will apologize for my behavior and my brash statements.

Cool Cat, I am on this forum to share ideas and get along with everyone. It sounds like you and Realting cause the same problems. You seem like you are both here to just disagree and argue with everyone. Do you think it makes you cool to stick your comments in every single thread you see?

I am not sneaky. I am way more beneficial to this forum than you will ever be. You have no idea who some of the past members are that have caused the same problems as you. Give your opinions, share your ideas, but don't try stepping on someone's feet and try making them look bad to others. Even though we are still online, we all try to uphold a reputation.

You are wrong on every account.

I will not share...yet, until I have established and created a monopoly on the idea, for the following reasons relating to your comments.

1. It's not something every agent can have. There can only handle one or two, possible three of these. Currently there are NO major/successful ones. A few have been created, but without much effort, and not by people in the real estate business.

2. I can promise if I posted my idea, literally dozens of people would attempt to make one. I will post my idea later when I'm on top of it, and others can do it for their respective cities, but Las Vegas is by far the best city to do it for, BY FAR. So this is top secret.

3. "I am not sure what the big deal is of sharing the buyer idea if you aren't going to be in the business for a while anyway."

You must not really think things through very well. Yes it is a big deal. The first person to establish one of these will rule the real estate market for the next 10 years. I will be the one to do it in one of the hottest cities in the country.

Realtors are, on the whole, computer illiterate. There is only one thing I know more than real estate, and it's the internet. I will be one of the TOP 10 realtors in non-luxury homes. I predict 5 years into my real estate career I will be producing $50 million per year. That is what will make me the 800lb gorilla of Las Vegas real estate....if I can just make myself look older.

Do you know, does a typical agent really get around 2.7% (I know it's different for different brokerages) for one side of the sale (particularly the buyer side)?

I haven't really investigated the commission structure of realtors. I just always assumed 3% total for both sides or 1.5% for one side.

All I know is that when all is said and done, I get 1.83% of the sales price in my pocket if I am one side of a 6% deal, until I earn $20,000 in commissions. Then my percentage is around 2%.

Great Gatsby, the broker i work for has been doing real estate here in Las Vegas for the past 16 year and this is the slowest year he has ever had. We are ALL hoping it will pick up soon!!! With that said, I still think moving here is a great idea... There was a young woman who worked for my broker during the real estate boom around 2002. She also tended bar at a high end club where she networked for business and the money flowed in like water. You will need to make friends when you come here in order to get business because realtors are a dime a dozen. Forget things about your appearance that are beyond your control. Those are just minor details in the grand scheme and they will hinder you little. You will earn people's trust with your confidence and by being knowledgeable. It seems the secret to making money doing ANYTHING in this town is charisma...

"In your pocket," is that after taxes and all expenses? Is that what you mean?

And is that $20,000 per month or year? Does it reset every month?

Thanks for your advice.

The way I will get customers is through my idea, which I will not disclose...yet. But as for Las Vegas being a slow year, it's still a fast year if you're a good broker. With migration, there will always been new buyers. It's not like a city where you're recycling clients (moving long time residents into different houses.)

First, please don't bring your sarcasm here. Yes, I do think things through. Second, you have a lot to learn about Las Vegas and real estate if you think it's going to be that easy.

Do you realize how many real estate agents are in the Las Vegas valley alone? About 16,000 currently. It is very tough competition here. Probably one of the hardest places to succeed in this business.

The average commission for representing a buyer on a home out here is 3% of the sales price. Depending on what you will be charging your sellers to list their home, that amount will differ. I charge a minimum of 6% to list homes. I give 3% of that to the agent that brings the buyer. Then I take the other 3%. Considering you will be new in the business, you will probably have a commission split with the brokerage that you join. Many agents start at 50/50 with their company if you are with a reputable company.

Sounds like you have the motivation, which you will need, but make sure you don't get into this business blind.

I have this great idea I can't share with anyone... Maybe I'll tell you guys in a few years. J/K

As independent contractors, which is what we are as real estate agents, we file 1099 forms with the IRS. We do not get taxed when we receive our commissions. We have to claim it and pay later. Many items can count as a business expense too, which will allow us to write them off on our taxes. Keep all receipts that are business related.

Commission Example:

The average commission co-op is 3%. Let's say you have a buyer for a $300K home. Your brokerage will get 3% of $300K, which is $9K. Let's say you are on a 50/50 split with your brokerage. You will get 50% of that $9K, therefore you will make a total of $4,500. Then of course you will have to pay taxes, office fees, and any other business expenses.

I used sell real estate in Las Vegas. It was a GREAT market until I moved last year. Things will pick up though!! Las Vegas brings in lots of people from all over the world and honestly it doesn't matter if you look young or older, if you want to succeed in this business you just need to figure out what type of clients you want to work with and who you want to be. I started young and many people still card me even though I'm in my early 30's. What people want when looking for a RE agent is confidence and knowledge along with great service and follow through.

Personally, I think what made me so successful from the very beginning was that I was myself, I didn't try to change who I was. I wore clothes that fit my personality and what I felt like. I drove a Kia, not a BMW type car although I could have afforded the more expensive models. I chose to just be me and when your in this business your selling yourself more then anything else.

I remember when I first got my license I didn't know a single person in Las Vegas and just did everything I could to get in front of as many people as I could. My first deal was from an Open House. This young couple came in with their Realtor, this Realtor was tall, clean cut, wearing a suite and he was totally ignoring his clients and spent all of his time talking to me and telling me how wonderful he was and asking me all sorts of questions about my experience. When I noticed his clients were done looking through the house and just standing there I told this Realtor that his clients looked like they had a question and he turned around and told them to ask me since I would know more about the house then him.

This Realtor then left the house and went out to his car and left his clients standing there in the kitchen with me. The clients then started asking me if they had to work with their Realtor because they didn't like him and I said that it depends on whether or not they signed a contract with him, they took my card and left. I didn't think they would ever call me but they did the very next day. That other Realtor was a Broker with years experience, older than I was and dressed in a very nice suite and drove a very expensive car.

What my clients always told me was that I was easy going, unlike any other Realtors they had ever worked with, I was fun and made the whole process fun. Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions a person can make in their lifetime and they want to work with someone that they feel they can trust and feel comfortable with so don't fret about being young looking, it could work towards your advantage. Good Luck!!

My idea will essentially draw new clients like a magnet. It will be easy for me. It may not be for others, but it will for me.

I will not be getting clients the usual way most others do, so I cannot be compared to them. My idea is quite simple, yet very powerful.

GG, you honestly sound like an egotistical little blowhard. You have a lot to learn, but you won't be convinced until you fail to succeed, which I think is a near certainty given your immature and punkish demeanor.

I just introduced myself and I was already being blamed for something. Some people on here are new to this forum and they don't see that many of my posts are trying to help people with advice and suggestions. I am always up for helping people. Even if this kid comes to Las Vegas, I was trying to get him prepared for a reality check.

Gatsby- the commission was off of 150,000 not 100,000 therefore the commission would have been 2700/150,000 = 1.8%

Good Luck in Vegas! It's a great city!

You guys that don't know our Las Vegas market are just confusing him. The average co-op is 3%. The average listing commission is a full 6%. Many agents I know charge 7% because of their marketing efforts and reputation. The average price of a home here is between $320K to $350K. This includes the entire Las Vegas valley. Some areas are high end and some areas are dumps. For an average, this is a pretty good number.

GreatGatsby, I have to agree with Agent 007 and navarac to a certain degree. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for now and just figure you are just young, naive', and a little over confident. (Or, you are Realting in disguise)




First of all, you said, "I will not be getting clients the usual way most others do, so I cannot be compared to them. My idea is quite simple, yet very powerful." and that essentially you will draw new clients like a magnet using your vast knowledge of the Internet and your ability to utilize and truly take advantage of it. It sounds like your "Great Idea"
is some form of lead generator. (I really don't care or want to know what it is.) If it is a lead generator those will be leads that you garner from the Internet, not clients or customers. You will have to have other skills to convert and retain those leads into customers and clients. That is why I first said you should get some practical experience under your belt. The Internet will not garner you clients, just leads.





Agent 007, I'm assuming you are referring to me about being blamed for something. After re-reading all of GreatGatsby's posts, I'm almost sorry I took up for him. Although, I could not help but notice that not one other poster came to your defense when I accused you of being a little "sneaky". That is probably due to the fact that they all have looked at several of your many posts (1457) where you tried to help people with advice and suggestions and on every occasion you had your signature at the bottom. (That is probably because the system defaults with your signature and you have to manually uncheck it which you did on the post in question.) That is why I called you out. I have looked at several of your 1457 posts and noticed you always have your signature, but did not on the post in question, you manually unchecked the button resulting in your post without your trademarked signature. Interesting.

Seriously (Un)Cool Cat, why do you bother posting such crap on here. Your post above has not in one single way contributed to anything positive on this message board.

And besides, EVEN if he did intentionally want to gather a competitors information for his own profit, THAT'S pretty smart on his part to even try. I mean, it can't hurt. (Well except for getting berrated by some random smart*ss on a forum).

Seriously, waste your time on your time instead of on pointless posts that OTHER people might otherwise enjoy.

Cool Cat, I will be honest with you. I did indeed uncheck my signature line when I originally posted to this thread. The reason I did this was to introduce myself to the new guy soon after letting him know that I am also in Las Vegas. Honestly, I would have helped him out to get a better understanding of this city. When people on here come from the same place I do, I don't want them to automatically know where I am from, at least not until I get to know them a bit more. The reason behind this is so they won't go searching up all my previous posts for any possible additional information.

Asking the new guy about his idea was just out of curiosity though. I am sure anyone on this forum would be interested to know what he's talking about. This is an IDEA forum, hence the name! Maybe I also thought that he wouldn't feel free to share his idea if he knew I was from Las Vegas. It would not affect him in anyway because he's not even in the business yet, so it doesn't matter.

I want to ask you, how do you know that?

I know for a 100% fact it would and I've explained why before.

The first person to establish the idea I will be implementing, will rule this area of the internet. Once the first person gets in, it will be hard for others to follow.

Are you this thick headed?

I've made 11 posts on this forum and all of the sudden you're the judge of my personality? Nice try, but you're wrong.

Secondly, this is me, candid, how I normally am. Yes I'm a bit arrogant, but I'm mature about it. Even more so, I know how to behave around people I need to impress and I adjust my attitude accordingly.

For you to assume someone else you do not even know is going to fail is far more arrogant than anything I've posted so far.

GG, you don't go around to forums calling people thick headed if you are looking for advice.

You might look too young to be a Realtor, but I don't think that's the issue. I think it is that you act too young to be a Realtor.

You sound like one of those companies that think they first came up with an idea, yet it's been thought of and implemented many times before. Your idea involves the internet so it sounds like a lead generating idea. If that is the case, you might generate some leads, but being so sure that these leads will all be clients is a little overboard. Do you honestly think that your internet idea has not been thought of before? I bet it has.

It is a 100% fact that it has never been done before. Get it out of your head, it's never been done before. I know because I have searched for one. My idea is not a "lead generator" but a service that will generate leads.

Ummm, ok. What do you think a lead generator is?

That had to be the funniest thing I have heard all day!

Well then you could consider ANY form of advertising a "lead generator." It's not a "lead generator" in the sense you're thinking of.

And I'm sorry, but your desperate attempt to get me to admit and detail my idea is the funniest thing I've heard all day. No ideas of your own?

You have no idea of what I am thinking of in the sense of a "lead generator".

I don't think I am desperate at all. I am also not attempting to get you to admit your idea and details. I asked you about it. You won't share your ideas on an idea forum. What else can I say?

I have plenty of ideas of my own. I am always interested in hearing all kinds of ideas though. I am not thick headed like you where I think my ideas are the best and nobody else's ideas are any good. This is exactly what your attitude comes off as. Why are you on this idea forum anyway? Are you here to share your ideas? Are you here to take everyone else's ideas and not contribute back?

A07 is correct, plus he is a WORKING real estate agent in Vegas...
yet the "good looking kid who is coming to Vegas in 3 years" is arguing with him? ehhhhh.

Gatsby... JUST DO IT, stop talking about it.
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, oh really? great! DO IT.

Best of luck in your venture.

Im 22 i dont see age being a problem.

I hate to tell you this homeslice, but someone is going to beat you to the punch if you arent going to be in RE for a few years. Just b/c no one else is doing whatever it is you say you are going to do, doesnt mean there aren 10 or 20 or 100 people out there with the same idea, that just have not implemented it yet. But I guarantee that by the time you decide to get into the biz, someone else will have run the idea into the ground.

Im kinda like you in the sense that I am still young, and have often wondered about if people will take me seriously. I am a bit older than you are, but Ive been in a touring band for the last 5 years, and am tattoed up, got a sweet beard, and def do not look like the typical agent. The thing I have learned, is that if you recognize your faults that others might hold against you, i.e being young, tattoos, whatever, you have to do what you can to offset the problem. For me, it was dressing really really nice. It may be the same for you, or who knows, maybe the beard or mustache thiing is a good idea!

The other part to that, is like somoene said before, know what your talking about and confidence. Listen to these people on these boards. Granted, some of them are older folks who are a little intimidated by someone younger coming in with a new idea, but some have legitimate knowledge and wisdom to share. And even if some of it sounds like someone is giving you a hard time, they may just be giving you tough love so to speak.

Good luck mang.

I started at 22 and was also very young looking, Girls don't have it any easier.(My clients would often ask me about my age, sometimes I joked and said 15 ) A sence of humor can go a long way, Dress professional for appointments, have confidence and know your stuff.

I work with a 23 year old agent that looks like he is 16. Confidence is not a problem for him and he is doing great. I created several processes for him, manage all leads, handle all listings, marketing, closing, etc. Now he has a proven track record. You age can be the factor when it comes to younger buyers. As long as you have your process in order, deliver a great presentation, remain professional and continue to grow, everything will work to your benefit.

Best of luck

I had sometimes thought that I am too young-looking when I present myself to bother owners and prospective buyers. I just celebrated my 23rd birthday a few days ago and just joined a great firm in the nyc area, which is Prudential Douglas Elliman and I couldn't be happier. I have only been in the business a year and I feel I've had success, but still have so much to learn. Anyone who thinks they are too young looking for real estate should get their head out the clouds and realize that the industry is so huge, that age shouldn't matter as much as dedication and consistency. Actually is shouldn't matter at all, but there are some owners today that still would rather work with someone their age or has been in the business longer. This is a reality that you have to suck up and look forward to as you develop your career where you would eventually have owners/buyers that would rather work with you than nexperienced/"young-looking" agents.

Best,

Danny Duffoo

IM 30!!!!!!!! Seriously IM 30


http://images.thomastimes.multiply.com/i...BLDGjSv2WwMDchw

lol, Aftermath, where in CA are you located?

I am 28 and people still ask me if I'm in the office "helping my parents today"!!

I OWN the company!!

im 23 and i look 18...just licensed... i hope this isnt an issue...

As long as you know your stuff, people will not question your age. I was 18 when I got my license. It took me about a year to build up the reputation I have now. I'm 22 right now, and when people ask how old I am, they ask because they are amaze at how much I know(not to brag or anything). Knowledge is Power, as some would say.

This was a messed up thread...

"I predict 5 years into my real estate career I will be producing $50 million per year."


Not likely. sounds like he has a type of pyramid operation in mind with an online presence. we know how those real estate franchises operate, and they typically do not come close to dominating the local markets.

Age is not a problem at all. Good luck.

Looking like a teeny bopper doesn't seem to hurt his business. (As seen on TV, Million Dollar Listing)

Chad Rogers

I was 25 when I started real estate and I looked like I was 18. I had one Realtor laugh at me and bring in a buddy to show how young I looked. Now I'm 33 and look 45. Thanks to the Real Estate business. he he he.

You should use your age to your advantage.

Young, enthusiastic, excited and hungry... your clients will love you for it.

--------------------------

Compete Realty Team
http://www.competerealty.com/

i think re has aged me a few years! i think that i look young for my age, though over the last few years my looks have "matured". i am only 30, but i must state that only one client has ever even made a comment on my looks! i set everything up on the phone. met the client in person and he said, "wow, i thought you would be older by the way you sounded on the phone". see, if you project maturity it will be percieved. maybee a few people wont want to use you because they are looking for someone more seasoned (their perception of age) though the reality is that being older is not neccesarily being more experienced! i am sure that i have lost a few listings becasue teh client wanted someone who looked more like them (being older). i know that i probably would not hire an 18 year old to sell my house if they had no experience, but if they sold houses for 6 months to a year with a good track record and seemed competent i would have no problem with hiring them at all. if someone was 16 (i know you have to be 18, but just using it as an example) and had experience i would have no problem using them. provided taht they were mature and responsible with a bang up plan and could walk the walk!

there are agents who have been in the biz for 10 years with 1 year of experience

and

there are agents who have been in the biz for 1 year with 10 years experience



think of some of the prodigies that were discovered in their younger years!