I'm a fairly new real estate agent in California. I am looking for some good training. I have read a lot of books and have had some training through my brokerage, but it seems like everything is pretty repetitive. I am looking for some online, books, cds, exc... that are good training tools. I am mainly looking for training on marketing listings, pricing listings, and tips on successful closing. Thanks for the help.

You need to shadow your broker or someone in the office. I don't believe in books much, i'm more into practical. I'm not saying you shouldn't read the material. You have passed your test, got your license I assume. Get your basic training, get access to MLS and be familiar with the system. That's how I learned from my broker.

Talk to people with your local MLS board and see if the have free Continuing Education. Also, talk to fellow realtors and see what they have had success with.

Would just like to add I don't know what board you belong to and what they have to offer, but the board I was a member of had a library that I finally visited one day and to my surprise hardly anything was ever checked out.

I decided to start checking out every item out from beginning to end and found a treasure house of info, even with the years and years of experience I had at that time. See what yours has to offer. My board was a old one and even had stuff back through the 1920's which gave me ideas to use in the present.

OJT = On the job training. I'm a former corporate trainer. My students learned the software or the job far better when they got out and actually did the work. They made mistakes and learned from them, sometimes harshly, but they learned. I completely agree with all that has been posted here too, but putting it into action will make the difference. You can train yourself right into the poor house unless you get out and start doing it yourself.

Welcome to the this crazy fun difficult profitable scary real estate business, erarealtor. Yes, training and knowledge is important, no question. And there are plenty of books and seminars and websites (One of the best books for newer agents is Sell with Soul by my friend Jennifer Allan - loaded with practical advice).

And Greene is right, there will come a point where no amount of theory and knowledge will make you money. Only going out there and doing it will.

One of the things that helped me at the beginning was spending time with successful agents, watching them work, talk to clients, deliver listing presentations, negotiate offers, etc.

Find somebody who's doing well in your area and take them to lunch. Many good, successful agents will be glad to share what they know. After all, we all were where you are at one point.

I must say Borino you made a tight webpage. In my neck of the woods taking listings isn't converting much to sales.

In a regular market I could see the numbers working like your excel video. I can see in my mls (area) however everything that is selling is REO or an agent trying to work a short sale in pre-foreclosure.It's not about if the sellers want to sell they just can't sell at a price to attract a buyer to compete with REO's as they are underwater as compared to what they paid a few years ago and other sellers that have equity will wait it out rather than taking a big hit. These REO's aren't dumps either alot are builder foreclosures or homes 2 to 3 years old that were foreclosed on when option arm's and I/O's loans adjusted.

You really have to make sure the sellers can sell for a price that will move it. Otherwise you are taking on a bunch of listings that will not make you money but cost you money in time,wasted marketing expense,etc.

I am sure your system works great but I wanted to make that point. You don't know how many agents I see taking listings and 2 to 3 months and hundreds of marketing dollars later it hasn't sold. It's a good way to go broke really fast.For instance home listed for 180k in my subdivision and a HUD home listed on the same street for 110k. Sellers just can't compete with that on the market.

Thanks for the nice comment, super realtor. In many areas this is a challenging market, no question. It takes a lot of effort to sell a house, especially with all the short sales and REOs. I know - Southern California has had its share of them.

BUT - it can still be done. There are folks out there today - right now who have to sell: job transfers, divorces, unemployment, you name it...

So how can you pull it off without losing your mind (and money) in the process? And without sacrificing all that's left from the seller's equity?

Here are some tips that helped me sell and close 8 out of 10 listings:

1. Market. I had to know my market inside out. What is selling: what area, what type of property, what price range. I would preview and study it every day. Here is the rule: I only list property I KNOW I can sell.

Are you in a market where nothing is selling? Why stick around - CHANGE your market.

2. Price. Price it RIGHT right from the get go. No "testing" nonsense. No "our house is better". I would do my clients a HUGE disservice by overpricing their home.

3. Reductions. I review feedback and showings quickly. I wouldn't wait a month to reduce the price. If there is no action in 7-10 days, it's time to review the CMA and reduce the price. I know, it takes balls to go back to the seller after only a few days on the market. But what's the alternative?

4. Commission. This is my biggest secret. Most REOs and short-sales offer 5%. Some retail listings offer standard 6%. I offer 7%, 4% to the selling agent. No strings attached. No "full price" silly conditions. Great way to get tons of showings (and offers).

5. Terms. What is the worst part of dealing with REOs and short sales? Terms. Long waiting time. Long approvals. Tons of paperwork. Lots of hassle. No inspections. No guarantees. No repairs. Pain in the a*s. I make sure I highlight all the positives of my listings. Short escrow, full disclosures, instant response, flexible seller, etc.

Yes, many REOs and short sales are priced low, but keep in mind it's not ALWAYS just the price.

6. Condition. Many competing foreclosures are in bad shape and need work (or they do a quick-slap carpet/paint job). My listings need to show great. Clean, spiffy, and sharp. They must stand out.

There is more (and I'll share it with you when Presentation Plus comes out in July). But for now just focus on the 6 points above and you'll do fine. Hope this helps.