All Forum Posts by: Jessie Keats

Any near far Northeast Philadelphia, Lower Bucks, Lower Montgomery counties? 

I'm working backwards here. My true interest is in being an investor. So far, I've had a bad experience trying to do it this way; but honestly, the only reason I'm a realtor is to go into investments. I want to work with/for investors who will have patience with me as a "newbie" and not judge me prematurely. In exchange for your guidance and experience I can offer Open Houses, MLS searches, and other agent related activities.

I'm newly licensed in PA, soon to be licensed in NJ. I work the far northeast Philadelphia & Bucks County, and sometimes Montgomery county. Once licensed in NJ I can work Burlington, Mercer, Camden, and possibly Gloucester. I'm looking for someone to REALLY work with! Someone who won't mind me being part of the process, like a shadow. The best way to learn is through observation. I'm not one of HGTV's hammer-swinging Barbie dolls. But we can still help each other! Even if you are also licensed but want someone to handle the administrative side so you can focus more on the reno side that's great too. 

Reply or PM. Thanks!

In PA, it was $400 for the classes. $50 for the exam (pass or fail). $107 for the application to the state after the passed exam. Keller Williams wanted a $350 gate price PLUS $98/month. Other brokerages didn't have a fee to join and typically have a lower monthly fee. You pay out of pocket for For Sale signs ($50-100each), Open House signs ($20-$35each), sign posts & stakes ($4-$85 each), business cards ($40-90). If you're required to be a Realtor that's another $500/year, MLS is $420/year in PA. I've been a Realtor for less than 3 months and I'm $2400 in the negative, that does NOT include all the gas I've used getting to offices and Open Houses that are an hour away. 

I think I'll go on about what a brokerage should NOT be: 

My dream was to work with investors because I want to be an investor. I joined an "investor friendly" brokerage but nobody there was interested in training a new agent. My initial experience with investors was not good, I was labeled when they knew nothing of my circumstances and I shouldn't have to explain myself to anyone! 

All you hear coming in is how it's "your business" but it is not. You don't brand yourself, you brand them. You don't get to have a personality. And yes it is still "cut throat" and full of "frienemies" at best. The real reason 75+% of agents fail their first year is because brokerages all make promises they don't keep, they have hidden fees, and outward resentment. The advice and guidance they offer is limited and generic. They all sit there and get bitter about how they had to start on their own so they push you to the bottom to prove some kind of point. I don't want to hear about 50 year old "proven strategies" there's a reason we don't use Pony Express anymore! 

Training is important. Not being misinformed, under informed, or uninformed is also important! 

Personally, I don't have the privilege of going into real estate because I had anyone handing it down, so to speak. I feel like the only/best way to acquaint myself with the business at an entry level is by becoming an agent first. I haven't held a stable job in 11 years! Commissions will get me income to start with, and I'll get a hands-on education. I'd like to branch off into investing from there. 

 Because he's living off of us now!

I attended one of the "free" sales pitch seminars just last month. A previous poster nailed it when he mentioned you are literally boxed in with no way out! They seat you in such a way that it's extremely awkward to move. They shut the doors and set up tables for sign up/payers that block the way out. The entire set up was beyond uncomfortable, it was borderline scary. 

Most outwardly call it a "scam" because it's a supposed education that you just keep paying more and more for. They feed you tidbits and crumbs with the promise of bigger slices if you pay up. If we had that kind of money and just read a few Flipping books we wouldn't be making them millionaires. We'd be making ourselves millionaires! So yes, I agree with the label "scammer" for these "gurus." 

In this business you can only learn by doing. Paying those people IS NOT worth it. You'll save more than money by getting some HONEST books that will give you the hard facts straight up and won't string you along praising the business. Go for honesty! 

They say 95% of people who venture into RE fail, what they don't say is that it's because they are misled!