Just wondering which newer agents and maybe not so new agents out there have been struggling with this down market. I'm especially interested in hearing from agents in California since I'm in California. I know that more seasoned agents with a few years of experience under their belts will have a lot more tricks up their sleeves in order to survive in these thinner times. In hotter times, homes in California were selling within a couple of weeks max. That opened a flood gate of people getting their R.E. licenses to get a piece of the R.E. pie. Now, it's taking 30, 60, 90 days (plus or minus) to sell a house. Given the much longer selling period and the saturation of hungry agents in the R.E. market, competition must be super fierce! I know that if you work like a maniac, you'll stand a better chance of surviving.

I'm curious about hearing from those who are having a tougher time with the down market. I also know I can't get a full and precise response to this question because for every agent that reads this question or responds, there are a multitude of agents out there that will never read this question.

But, in the same respect, I would be curious to hear from those who are still doing well in our down California market and if you'd like to share your tips, please do so. I'm sure struggling agents would very much appreciate any help they can get right now.

Don't forget mortgage brokers and loan officers. I hear that title, escrow and appraisers are getting laid off by the hundreds.

True, there's a domino effect, but I'd still like to hear from R.E. agents.

Agents are definitely struggling in markets that I cover. Some agents have returned to their full time jobs and are just referring out their business to the established agents.

The nice thing is that what is left is dedicated agents. Agents that will find a way to make things work or agents that have already paid their dues.

On another note, if you develop a marketing plan and look for those clients that NEED to sell or buy, you will do fine.

My best,

talking to several seasoned agents here in LA area it sounds like it's very hard to find qualified buyers but it's 'easy' to find listings. More and more people want/need to sell. But buyers are hard to qualify. Appraisals are a lot tighter from banks, stated income loans become more difficult to qualify for.

"30, 60, 90 days (plus or minus) to sell a house" is a down market? You guys sure are spoiled out there!

30, 60, 90 days in conjunction with the over-saturation of agents in California hence, fierce competion. Add to that buyers that don't qualify for the median priced home of +/- $500,000...and you need to pay your bills and put food on the table....yeah, spoiled.

Spoiled, possibly and apt label when homes were selling within a couple of weeks. I wouldn't agree with you now.

Ricardo,
Even though I don't know you and even though you are new I'm going to say that you probably have most all the skills that you need to be successful, even with the market quieting down. That's the good news - you CAN do it. WILL you do it, that's a different story.

Winning at the RE game is 20% skill sets and 80% mindset, not the other way around. Just become crystal clear about what you want and what you are willing to commit to and then you can stop worring about the market and start DOING it.

Check out my website and feel free to give me a call to discuss this in more detail if you wish.

Don't focus on the market or the number of competing agents in your area, and simply provide first-class service. If you do this and continue to learn and grow you can succeed. Unfortunately there are no guarantees in this business, but hard work and dedication is usually rewarded in the long run.

Dear Ricardo S: Not sure what county in southern california you are active in, but if you are in Los Angeles County or Orange County, then what you said is certainly true. The market is saturated with newbies who have little to no ethics. Here is a true story of what one of the agents in my office experienced. After she posted her listing in the MLS, and within 48 hours of doing so, a REMAX agent went directly to the sellers' home with a written offer for $40,000 above the listed price on the condition that the seller cancels the listing he just signed and sign up with him. This is the cutthroat practices we are now seeing in the Los Angeles area where there is still a low inventory of available properties for sale and with sellers wanting more and more and more. We have, naturally, reported the agent to the BOR.
So, Ricardo, do not get discouraged. Be persistent, qualify your buyers before doing anything else and if you are a selling or listing agent, learn how to qualify your buyes yourself, so you are not only expanding your knowledge, but your clients will be impressed with the way you are able to professionally manage the biggest investment they are planning on making. I love what I do, even with the many ups and downs. It is all rewarding in the end.

While I empathize with you CA Dreaming keep in mind that transaction horror stories happen in every kind of market. In the busy market there were plenty, just of a different nature.

A colleague of mine recently sponsored a seminar featuring Brian Rogers and and Brian was quoted as saying "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". And to that I would add, "Now go make it happen."

Was Brian speaking at a funeral?

I'm sure the CA market right now is just like the rest of the world in that 20% of the agents produce 80% of the work. A few do resally wel,some dookay, and most struggle.

No, much worse, he was speaking to a room full of Realtors . . . only joking, only joking, actually I love Realtors hence the name of my website. I also love assisting Realtors in reaching their full potential as most never do. In fairness, most people period never come close to reaching their full potential. Anthony Robbins 101.

CA Dreaming I like you already and I can tell you have a great sense of humor and that will certainly help you through any tough times in the business. Give me a call some time, I'd love to hear about what your "California Dreams" for your business are.

Thanks for the invite Mr. Mortgage Pro, but I broker my own mortgage loans. What I can do for you, though, is spread your office address over the web so Realtors country wide can picket your office for your tongue in cheek remark in your first sentence. Careful now, my dream can be your nightmare!!!