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John Meussner, #MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852 (Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI)

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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

It would have to include 3 very easy MUSTS!

-  Run your business like a business - it IS a business. This would include maintaining a business plan WITH goals each and every quarter.

-  Establish a CRM 

-  All business builds from your sphere - KEEP YOUR CRM UPDATED!

May 25, 2021 01:02 PM
Ambassador
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Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Don't chase every (or any) shiny object -  people will often make more money off the backs of Realtors than from actually selling!  Don't spend money til you're making money :)

May 25, 2021 12:17 PM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

Help people get what they want - really "help".  First by really listening without judgement and then delivering. If you can help people get what they want they won't care about years of experience, alphabet after your name, what you're dressed like, what kind of car you have or anything else. Love on people.

May 25, 2021 03:02 PM
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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

John I was lucky to have my broker teach me the ropes, including always do right by your clients and they'll keep coming back and refer others to you. He was a wise, wise man and I listened to his advice and followed it.  So find an excellent broker and be wide open to taking and following advice.

May 25, 2021 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

John,

Find a successful mentor and learn the trade.  A

May 25, 2021 10:51 AM
Rainmaker
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Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

You took the words right out of my mouth John. Learning to say "NO" to both customer and client will save time & money at every juncture which it's needed. No need to be harsh, be as polite as you can, yet firm.

May 26, 2021 01:05 AM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Hi, John. 

     A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post on this topic.  I listed 9 main suggestions for "new agents". 

 

     Which ONE of those would I pick?  Probably #9: 

 

     "Be prepared to work hard - very hard!  Forget what you see on those reality TV shows - there is a lot of work involved in getting from the showing (or listing) to the contract to the Closing Table."  

May 25, 2021 03:29 PM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Took me some time to realize this equation...

 

Better Vetting Methodology + Knowing That I'm Not Dependent On Any One Deal = Decision Making Boldness.

 

Live, learn & refine.

May 25, 2021 12:42 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

You will need the respect of your fellow Realtors in order to be successful.

May 25, 2021 11:22 PM
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Derrick Guevremont
Counselor Realty of Rochester - Rochester, MN
Rochester MN Homes for Sale

Get a good relationship management plan going and stay in touch with all of your past clients.

May 25, 2021 06:53 PM
Ambassador
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Be less trusting of people. Often people are not who they pretend to be. 

Real estate is NOT corporate America which is where I spent so many years in my career. 

There is very little accountability, training, or supervision in the industry.  People can get away with so much that would never fly in Corporate America. 

I was so naive. In many ways, I am still too trusting. 

May 25, 2021 02:24 PM
Rainer
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Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

if you don't know ask your broker... never wing it.  BTW I'm still not very experienced in real estate, but I have a great broker who helps when I need it. Haven't been licensed really long and still have a day job.

May 25, 2021 01:41 PM
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Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Work like a squirrel and save your acorns!

May 26, 2021 09:28 AM
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Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Never ever giveup

May 26, 2021 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
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Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

A couple of my answers have been mentioned:

1. This is a business so learn to run it like a business.

2. Stay away from shiny objects.

3. Hire a closing manager/transaction coordinater sooner. This wasn't popular when I first started but it sure would have given me more time with my family.

May 26, 2021 05:05 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Become a people person so the rule of: "people buy from people first then the product" will reveal itself to you. If people like you, success follows and strange enough, it comes in ways not expected. Work smarter not harder.

May 25, 2021 04:42 PM
Rainmaker
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Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Research everything and everyone before you open your mouth.

May 25, 2021 11:14 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Good advice John.

I find it best to keep my eyes off the rear view mirror and focus on the future.

May 26, 2021 12:57 PM
Rainmaker
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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Get a mentor and absorb knowledge like a sponge!

May 26, 2021 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
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Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

#1. Turn towards the fear.
This will develop in the agents business the culture of "YES" meaning the new agent can identify and pursue what is good for them and their business.
#2. Get involved in transaction ASAP.
An agent learns my doing not warming a stool in the training room.
#3. Attend some of those 'get rich in real estate without investing any of  your money working 6 hours a week from the boat' seminars one can see at 3am on TV. These investor seminars will open a new agents eyes to other dimensions not often recognized by members of the sea of smiley faces. Suddenly real estate is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor.
#4. Work like an immigrant.

May 26, 2021 05:50 AM
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Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I'm with you John Meussner .  Also if possible, shadow an experienced agent.

May 27, 2021 09:19 AM
Rainmaker
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Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

You have a real estate license,  now you have to learn to fly. Practice, mistakes, lessons learned are ahead of you. Total commission and paid piece meal is a part of the business model the listing and selling runs on. Eat, breathe, sleeping thinking real estate in the beginning. Real estate is a jealous master of your time and hope your mate has a sense of humor about your real estate career. It's not for everyone and way way more than "Oh... I love to show houses".

May 26, 2021 10:04 AM
Ambassador
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

nothing.  The journey was great to be right where I am.

May 26, 2021 02:58 PM
Rainmaker
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Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

First, expect to put in some time to learn the ropes.  Second, keep learning but choose your clients more carefully.  Three, learn not to rely on other people but on your own knowledge. Four, when you have those under control, find a "farm" area that will most satisfy what you want to do for the long haul.  Note, I still can't resist to take on the odd client in my old "farm" area but know that I put in as much work for a much lower priced property than for a multi million dollar one.  Five: I'm weaning myself from that "old" farm area and am starting to be very selective in whom I accept as a client in my "new" farm area and have never done better and actually have some spare time for myself.   

May 28, 2021 07:06 AM