| So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent? | | | | necessarily the right connections; any connection |
| There's the persistent myth that the real estate | | | | is good and will come in handy in the future. Any |
| business is an instant money-generating, easy | | | | tip, juicy scoops, or new finds in the business is |
| treasure trove. Well, it is, but with hard work, | | | | always appreciated, and that's what connections |
| patience, and best of luck. | | | | are for. The point is, in the real estate business, |
| For the newbie in the business, though, real estate | | | | people skills is a virtue always worth honing. |
| can be a thorny, if not downright frustrating | | | | Win some, lose some. |
| venture. It's basically a gamble; profits will come | | | | Partnering with someone is a good way to get |
| rushing in only after one or two years down the | | | | started especially if you don't have enough money |
| road. After all, you are just establishing yourself | | | | to lay on the table. Your partner will be the one |
| and building your name and credentials. Add to this | | | | to worry about the finances, while you do the |
| the fact that you're up against more cutthroat | | | | legwork (scouting properties, looking for buyers, |
| veterans. | | | | touring them around, etc). And then you split the |
| In the meantime, there's always the temptation | | | | profits between yourselves depending on the |
| to regret the day you traded your regular and | | | | agreed percentage. A commission of twenty |
| stable job at the office for the more | | | | percent may not exactly be top-notch cash, but |
| unpredictable, often heartbreaking real estate | | | | what you're really after-since you're just |
| bubble. Times like this, you have to focus on the | | | | starting-is learning the ropes of the trade. |
| future benefits, not the present drawbacks. | | | | Win some. Then win more. |
| Lose some, lose some. | | | | You make new contacts everyday, know who |
| As everything changes along with technology, so | | | | the key players in the business, and earn their |
| does real estate. You'll still need your pen and | | | | trust regarding future team-ups. Overall, you'll be |
| paper of course, but it would be heaps easier if | | | | growing comfortable in a business best |
| you armed yourself with a PC or a laptop and a | | | | characterized by constant ups and downs. |
| fast internet connection. Now, more than ever, | | | | Whatever the case, in the real estate business, |
| information on current real estate trends and | | | | you are your own boss and you own your time. |
| marketplace behavior is available, so take | | | | There are no routines, no office chair restraining |
| advantage of all that. Knowledge is power, so | | | | you. What replaces these are sweet victories |
| goes the cliché. | | | | with every successful deal made. |
| Real estate is all about making connections. Not | | | | Before long, you'll be glad you made the switch. |