What I Wish I’d Been Told as a New Agent

Starting any new career is challenging, but even more so if that career is one that requires you to be self-motivated, highly organized and always "on." Real estate is an exciting, rewarding career, but it's not for the faint of heart!

Do you ever think back on why you got into the business in the first place? What drew you to becoming a REALTOR® and what do you wish you knew when you first embarked on the career? Here are a few things you may wish you knew when you were getting started as a real estate agent:

There's a wonderful community.

From Facebook groups, to ActiveRain and the colleagues at your brokerage, take advantage of the network around you and ask questions. Veterans of the industry are a wealth of knowledge and are often happy to share their insight. The internet has made it easier than ever to communicate with your peers from all over the country, so join some forums and Facebook groups and start sharing knowledge. Participating in the community is a powerful way to gain wisdom and help you feel less isolated when you're working on your own.

You don't really make your own hours.

One of the most common misconceptions is that agentss don't put in as many hours as their office-bound peers. In fact, agents put in more! From hours prospecting on the phone, to weekend open houses and late night phone calls, your schedule will fill up. Even if you consider yourself a part-time agent, real estate sales is a full-time job. To be a top producing agent, you can expect to put in a lot of time, so learn to manage it well, with the right tools to help you.