Almost Done With My Real Estate Course – Looking for Rookie Advice on What to Do Next
Hi everyone,
I’m almost finished with my real estate licensing course (about 75% done) and starting to think ahead about my next steps. I’m really excited but also realizing there’s a lot I still don’t know about actually getting started in the business.
I’m based in Westchester County, NY and my goal is to focus on building a strong book of business, especially in residential real estate and eventually grow into investment properties/house hacking.
I’d really appreciate any advice from those of you who remember being in this stage or who are still early in your career:
- What should I be doing before I officially pass my exam and join a brokerage?
- How did you choose your first brokerage and what should I look out for?
- What would you do differently if you were starting over?
- Any tips on getting my first few clients or leads early on?
- Is it worth starting social media right away or wait until I’m licensed?
I’m trying to be intentional and not just “wing it” once I get licensed. I want to set myself up the right way from the start.
Most Popular Reply
I'm not an agent, so take that into consideration.
When I was a loan officer, (ours was 100% commission) I saw a LOT of other loan officers sitting in the office pretending to be loan officers. That was a waste of a lot of human potential. I can't imagine social media has the effect of growing you following unless you can sell house across the country. If a social media group is local, that may be worthwhile, but it won't be fast.
Meet people, just don't worry about the guys doing nothing.
Join a REIA (Real Estate Investment Group, ours is $20 a month) attend the meetings, meet people and grow a following.
Pick a service group in the area (Church, Lions, Elks, School Board) and do the same.
Doing loans is about meeting people and satisfying their needs.
Additionally, take someone from the brokerage to lunch, ask them to tell you the flow of paperwork for a Conventional, VA and FHA loan type buyer. There are nuances to each. Pay for their lunch.
Then have lunch with an experienced lender, ask them to tell you the flow of paperwork for a Conventional, VA and FHA loan type buyer. Pay for their lunch. When you buy a professional lunch, you show that you respect your expertise and their time.
Have your questions written out beforehand. Don't ask that they send you leads. You are there to learn, not to mooch.
Thank then when they are finished. Send them a nice, not overly casual thank you card.
Don't make promises you can't keep.
Oh, yeah, I forgot the one things that ends a lot of real estate agents careers, pick up the phone when it rings, no matter what else you're doing. Take those calls and eat or ignore those calls and weep.