I'm taking the final exam for my 60 hour Virginia Principles of Real Estate class on Monday. After that, I'll be taking the official exam to get my license ASAP. I have learned so much from these forums so far, and look forward to contributing as a licensed agent!

Here's my Introduction thread if anyone is bored and wants to know some more info on my personal story ;)

http://www.agentsonline.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/384708/New_VA_Salesperson_here.html#Post384708

Great story! Thanks for sharing. I would guess close to 95% of people who become Realtors are coming from another career.

Your background in the Hotel business will serve you well in real estate. And the flexibility of being a Realtor will still give you opportunities to spend time with your kids.

I changed careers myself after being in high tech software sales for 15 years. And the transition for me worked out really well.

I wish you success and joy in our profession.

Thanks,

Mario

Thank so much Mario!

It's nice coming into an industry that is challenging to be successful in, but rewarding to those that work hard and make smart decisions.

I'll check out your videos as they look to contain some good info.

So how did it go yesterday?

Congrats on getting into the real estate business.

It is definitely a great time to be a realtor. Here in Minnesota, we are seeing continuing increases in pending sales for listings on the MLS. And there are overall less agents in the business compared to five years ago. This means, more sales and transactions for those full time agents.

I have no doubt you can and will do well. Continued success!

[quote=Kjmendy]So how did it go yesterday? [/quote]

I passed the course exam! 92% on the federal portion, and 100% on state :grin:

Ryan, thanks for the encouraging words. I have always been a very hard, and smart, working person. The fact that a lot of agents have left the business definitely more doors for me to open (literally.)

Now I'm waiting for the PSI Exam center to finish processing my paperwork so I can take the official exam. After that, it's on to interviewing a few brokers and deciding where to hang my license.

I have a family friend that works as a lender for MetLife Home Loans, and her brother is an agent at a local Exit Realty office. Supposedly, he is number 2 in the state for transactions this year with Exit. He would mentor me and I'd go through their training program. Other than that, I was going to interview Rose and Womble, William E Wood, and Keller Williams. I would like to get MLS access if possible before I sign, so that I may look at different broker's numbers and things before I sign. If anyone has any specific advice, don't hesitate to share!

Inching closer and closer to being free to attack the real estate market! :)

Doubtful . . . . very doubtful !

What's the point in looking at brokers' numbers and things? They're ALL No.1! They're ALL market leaders! They ALL have the highest sales! They're ALL the first name you think of when you think 'real estate'. And, they're ALL going to promise you the world.

I wouldn't be worrying about numbers - I'd be looking at the Broker who appears the most honest. Real estate can be rewarding but it can be disappointing too - you don't want your Broker adding to your disappointment.

/\ True. The only reason I would like to look at the numbers is because I'm hunting for a mentor, and I'd like one that actually produces and doesn't just say he/she does.

Thanks for your advice guys!

VABroker, I take it from past posts that I've read that you're from Northern VA, am I right? I'm in the Hampton Roads area, Virginia Beach to be exact.

If you take good notes while interviewing, then AFTER you've become a REALTORŪ, paid your Dues and MLS Subscriber Fees, you will have MLS access to verify the numbers they gave you and see if what you've been told is true . . . . and if not, why not.

Trust; but verify !

Tell them you'll be conducting an audit, and that'll make the shirkers quickly drop by the wayside.

Do people become mentors and train their own competition because they need the money . . . . those would be tough dollars !

And why would anyone want to do it for free ? The Exit Pyramid?

The Exit Pyramid...

Uh-oh. Share your thoughts on them before I meet with them on Friday please. ;)

Their promotional videos and stuff do have that pyramid-esque feel. I am familiar with their referral program. One of the guys that was going to mentor me from Exit has 11 transactions this year (which I thought was pretty good for this area right now,) don't know the specifics though.

Keep the advice coming guys! I love this forum. :grin:

I have no personal experience . . . . except for periodic solicitations; but I've read a bit. Use the search function, over here in the right hand column --->>>

to find some of what has been said on this Forum. Just make sure you embed multi-word searches in quotes, like "Exit Realty" .

Here's a fairly long thread to get you started:

Exit from the Business

Thanks Vermont. I have searched it on here before, as well as the other brokers. I wanted your up to date, hot off the press opinion on them. ;)

Thanks again.

As a former Exiter, I must jump in here. Like it or not, most of the Exit agents I ran into were more interested in collecting the residual fee than helping new people gain the expertise and experience they need to succeed. For every Exit agent that earned big bucks on sponsoring, there are a few hundred that earned peanuts.

And most of the folks that earned the big bucks from sponsorship were the broker-owners, not the agents in the trenches.

Thank you for chiming in, PA. I always had a weird feeling about Exit, almost like an "Amway" feeling... I'm still going to meet with them since my family friend is signed with Exit. He appears to be doing well as he's closed numerous transactions this year. Sucks that he's at Exit and not a more desirable brokerage.

I know that in the end the broker doesn't matter too much, as you are on your own out there drumming up business. The most important time to be with a great broker is in the beginning for training/mentorship. At least that's what my months of research have led me to believe. :)

Thanks again for the comments everyone.