I Passed!

I am now looking into and interviewing with a couple of different agencies. Does anyone have any pointers on what to look for? Are there any red flags I should watch out for?

Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:42AM

Mark Brian

Real Estate Agent · Anderson, South Carolina

313 posts
2065 Influence
6 Awards

Icon_minipost Mar 27 '09, 02:13 AM

Look for criminal charges against the BIC. Also check with the state's real estate commission for complaints. Look for the closing/active board in the office and see how much activity there is. Is their a minimum required production amount?

Consider training as being very important to a new agent. Splits and desk fees are going to very. Also consider advertising expenses such as signs, print advertising, etc.

If they give you a company website that is nice, but concentrate on getting your own site. That way, if you change companies, the main site that you have worked on goes with you.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:44AM

Desiree Frazier

Residential Real Estate Broker · New Ipswich, New Hampshire

26 posts
115 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Mar 31 '09, 06:13 AM

Hi Mark,
Thank you for responding. I hadn't thought about checking for criminal charges, great idea!

I have just about settled on a company to join, they have a great training program and I'll also get a mentor/coach to keep me accountable and moving in the right direction.

I am having a hard time coming up with a name for a website, I do get one with the company I'm looking at but to name my own is another story...still working on that one...once I have the name it'll be a snap to put it up.

So, thanks again for the reply! Have a great day!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:47AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10629 posts
46531 Influence
24 Awards

Icon_minipost Mar 31 '09, 06:20 AM

Congrats Desiree! Mark brings up some great tips, but I'm guessing you're already settled with the broker you've chosen. For a new agent, training and mentorships are essential. The paperwork and details can be confusing when you're getting going, and you don't learn that stuff in real estate principles!

Let us know if we can be of any help to you. Good luck and hopes for success to you.

BTW - what about ManchesterAgentDesiree.com or something like that for your website?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:47AM

Joshua Dorkin, BiggerPockets, Inc.
E-Mail: webmaster@biggerpockets.com
Telephone: 877-831-4704
Website: http://www.biggerpockets.com
Be sure to check out the BiggerPockets Blog at http://www.BiggerPockets.com/renewsblog/

Desiree Frazier

Residential Real Estate Broker · New Ipswich, New Hampshire

26 posts
115 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Mar 31 '09, 06:40 AM

BTW - what about ManchesterAgentDesiree.com or something like that for your website?

Great Idea! Thanks! :D

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:47AM

Charles Lee

Residential Real Estate Agent · Orange, California

2 posts

Icon_minipost Apr 12 '09, 06:43 PM

Congrats! :mrgreen:

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:54AM

Tracy Venezia-Royce

Real Estate Investor · Phoenix, Arizona

33 posts
1 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Apr 14 '09, 08:32 AM

Congrats!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:55AM

Terry White

· Knoxville, Tennessee

11 posts
-5 Influence

Icon_minipost May 16 '09, 03:49 AM

Good job!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Desiree Frazier

Residential Real Estate Broker · New Ipswich, New Hampshire

26 posts
115 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost May 16 '09, 04:13 AM

Thank you everyone!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Josh Green

Banker · Tampa Area, Florida

962 posts
4831 Influence
6 Awards

Icon_minipost May 16 '09, 04:31 AM

desiree, you started this thread about 3 months ago. how are u doing now?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Desiree Frazier

Residential Real Estate Broker · New Ipswich, New Hampshire

26 posts
115 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost May 16 '09, 04:56 AM

Well, I'm more or less done with training. I'm currently targeting my "farm area" which is my own neighborhood. We are in a great starter area, small 2 bed 1 bath homes with a few 3/2's sprinkled in. Turnover runs about 5-7 years.

I've notified all of my friends and family but since I moved out of state I have also just finished the state law class for their state and I am taking the test next week (it's a reciprocal state).

I'm also holding open houses for other Realtor's that have listings in and around my town.

And last but not least, I'm reaching out to FSBO's that have been on the market themselves for some time with no luck.

So far, I have one buyer client but no sellers.

I just keep plugging away everyday. Today I went to all the local yard sales and I also did an open house.

Any suggestions for other things to do?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:14AM

Francisco Garcia Jr

Real Estate Consultant · Scottsdale, Arizona

51 posts
295 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Jun 09 '09, 02:10 PM

Congrats

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:30AM

Desiree Frazier

Residential Real Estate Broker · New Ipswich, New Hampshire

26 posts
115 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Jun 15 '09, 12:13 AM

Quick update:

I held an open house for another Realtor this yesterday and 2 sets of buyers came through. The house wasn't what they wanted but they are interested in looking around. I have set them up for "buyer interviews" with me and they both also have houses that will need to sell first, I realize that this can be a pain, however, I am looking at this more from the possibility of 4 transactions side and I am pumped!

Then this morning I get a call from a friend of a family member who is also looking to sell and has set an appointment with me for a CMA.

I feel like the flood gates are opening! As my bf says "you can't spend a quote" but I'll tell you, this is seriously increasing my energy levels!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:35AM

Josh Green

Banker · Tampa Area, Florida

962 posts
4831 Influence
6 Awards

Icon_minipost Jun 15 '09, 01:05 AM

glad to hear you are getting some things into the hopper. keep us informed!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:35AM

Dick Green

Residential Real Estate Broker · Conroe, Texas

1596 posts
1347 Influence
4 Awards

Icon_minipost Jun 16 '09, 03:50 AM

Keep up the good work!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:36AM

Paul Caparas

Residential Real Estate Agent · San Diego, California

6 posts
37 Influence

Icon_minipost Jun 23 '09, 04:50 PM

Nice, keep up the good work. All I have to say is keep on doing the activities (open houses, attend community events, network, etc) and the business will come to you. Don't sit at your office and wait for the phone to ring. Great job.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:43AM

Jon Klaus

Real Estate Investor · Dallas, Texas

2427 posts
48404 Influence
14 Awards

Icon_minipost Jun 24 '09, 07:29 AM

"I am having a hard time coming up with a name for a website, I do get one with the company I'm looking at but to name my own is another story...still working on that one...once I have the name it'll be a snap to put it up."

Did you get your own website yet? How about your name .com .net or .biz? Build a brand around you.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:43AM

Desiree Frazier

Residential Real Estate Broker · New Ipswich, New Hampshire

26 posts
115 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Jul 11 '09, 11:35 AM

Another update:

First to answer Jon's question, I have purchased a domain with my name and the site is currently under construction.

My family member who was going to list with me wound up going with someone else, it'll be an interesting Thanksgiving this year ;)

Big news: I did get my very first listing today. A FSBO of all things! lol
They own it outright and intend to flip the profits into a bigger house for which I am also their buyer agent.

So, all in all things are looking good! I just keep putting myself out there (I have 2 back to back Open Houses tomorrow) and everything seems to be lining up so far.

Thank you everyone for your congratulations, it's great to be able to get on here and read about how everyone else is doing...

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:56AM

Paul Caparas

Residential Real Estate Agent · San Diego, California

6 posts
37 Influence

Icon_minipost Jul 15 '09, 04:15 PM

Yeah, Thanksgiving will be interesting because your family member didn't use you but doing business with family can be dangerous. Anyways, great job on getting the FSOB. Maybe market the heck out of it to show you are the neighborhood specialist. That may bring more buyers and sellers to work with.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:59AM