On average, how long would you say it takes for a newbie to make his/her first sale. A few weeks or six months? I am fixing to take my RE exam, and I am just curious.

I have been told by every broker I have interviewed with that it could be as long as six months. I'm praying it is not, but am prepared for it if it is.

My first listing 3 months, first buyer's sale 8 months. My first listing went REO and the bank gave it back to me as listing, they fixed it up and it sold. (PS - I was pregnant my first year, so didn't have all the energy to put into getting up and running fast.) Seven years later, I haven't looked back, just forward and wouldn't change my career for anything!

I got my license in January and had my first closing by July. I had gotten two listings by that time as well.

While the main thing with real estate is "location location location" a lot of it is "luck luck luck" and "timing timing timing." LOL

Hang in there for the long haul, Caleb--it really could take six months or more to actually get paid, but you'll likely have business well within that time.

I had my first closing about 8 weeks after I got my license, but that was a different world. Most new agents I talk with wait at least six months.

To compare, I just re-entered the real estate world on February 1, after 2 years away. I have my first closings scheduled for April 18 and April 28, so even with experience and a strong SOI, it still took me 2.5 months to get my first paycheck and I hit the ground running.

Amazing. I know some agents who have been in real estate for 1 or 2 years and have not even had their first sale yet. Of course some of them are part-timers, but still..... I am a part timer myself who after 2 years is finally going full time. It took me about 1 year to get my first 2 listings. Since then I have had one fall through because of the banks part and another reassigned to another agent. Currently I have 3 listings... one is in contract after being on the market for about 1 month. I am sure there are plenty of part-time agents and even full time agents who took 1 year or more to get their first sale. Kind of makes one feel embarrassed to admit it. But don't give up if it takes you a long time to make a sale. If you really want it you will find a way. Again like some of the posters mentioned. Out of the thousand of agents out there, a lot of agents who make a sale their first 1-6 months make it because of luck, family, friends etc... who were willing to give them a shot. For the most part that is true, but again there are those who are just go getters and can make things happen. They just have an aura about them that people respond to.

My first 25 (and subsequent 500+)sales came from luck, family and friends who were willing to give me a shot. BECAUSE I'm a go-getter and can make things happen (and have the aura)!

It's Simple. Get up everyday with the mind set that your life depends on your selling a home. Don't ever think 2, 3, or 6 months. "Today" is the only day that really counts. BigC

You got that right! If you think it is going to be 6-12 months down the line that is exactly what it is going to be.

I agree that is they way to approach it while acting, but for planning it doesn't help.

Very good advise

that is still pretty good Jennifer....two and a half months after being away for two years.....great job....and two in a two week period..wow

Yeah, it was a rush. What's fun about my re-entry into real estate is that I have the enthusiasm of a rookie, but the experience of an old fogie. Best of the both worlds!

It took me six months for my first closing. As it did a friend of mine that started at the same time as I did. But if you have a good list of family and friends that might want to sell or buy like Jennifer did it could be much sooner. Besides it takes quite a while after you take the RE test to actually learn how to be an agent. At least here in Colorado passing the test doesn't help you be an agent much at all. It just teaches you the laws.

Basically, all the class teaches you is how to get your license. It does not teach you what to do after you get your license.

BigC .. That is great thinking!

While positive thinking is a MUST, so is realistic planning.

It is simply imperative that we be realistic at the same time we EXPECT to do well. Even top producers must plan and save for possible 'down times.' That's part of strategic thinking, which is every bit as important as that 'go get'em' mentality.

I've witnessed very good agents who take six months to write their first contract... but keep doing the right things to build their business. And their business does indeed grow and prosper with time. Perseverance is a requirement in this business.

On the other hand, I've seen agents right out of real estate class get a listing and a sale within a week or two. Talent or dumb luck? Or a bit of both?

BigC said it!

remember. the best agent in the world who knows how to put a deal together is worthless unless they find the business. learn how to find the business and you will blow the competition out of the water!

when you start you have no business to maintain, so your focus should be mainly on getting business and learning hte business. study. read read read until you can answer any re question that someone can throw at you! once you can do that and you are in front of people EVERY DAY you will bring in business.

amen to the getting started comment...

You thought you were semi done with school...lol..

between taking classes at my local realtor office ....classes at my KW office and education on my own .....wow....and then there is all the other things like putting together your power team...etc...lots to do....

What reawakened this thread after a 4 month sabbatical ?

[quote=ColoBroker]It took me six months for my first closing. As it did a friend of mine that started at the same time as I did. But if you have a good list of family and friends that might want to sell or buy like Jennifer did it could be much sooner. Besides it takes quite a while after you take the RE test to actually learn how to be an agent. At least here in Colorado passing the test doesn't help you be an agent much at all. It just teaches you the laws. [/quote]

I agree I didn't feel comfortable on my own just because I had passed my state test. I asked for as much help as I could get. I am 6 months in now and I have a closing in 2 days I have another one next month. I have 1 Listing and I am working with 2 buyers. I am finally starting to get the hang of it but I know I have a lot to learn. Everyone says how bad this market is but I feel like it is the best market to learn in. Still a Part-Time agent but that will change soon.

Different, it is depend of your SOI. If you have a big one, you will make it faster, If you don't it will take you longer. I did mine on 6th month.

I read that Roger Staubach just sold his commercial real estate firm for over $600M.

I suppose he had a pretty huge SOI, wouldn't you say?

=)