Well, I among many others back in 2005 when the market was at it’s all time high “thought” it looked easy so why not.
I saw Realtors who drove nice cars and seem to have a flexible schedule and thought… this is for me.
I studied hard and took the class and passed the exam. Now I’m ready…. False.
I was so not ready. The class taught me how to pass the test but beyond that I was lost baby.
Fortunately, I did have a great smaller brokerage and wasn’t lost in one of the big franchises. But reality set in quick that I was handling one of the largest transactions a person makes in their life and I was not qualified to do so.
I was terrified to quit my full-time job due to the lack of confidence I had in myself to actually pull this new career off. So I attempted to be a Realtor… Part-Time. Not a good decision. Never ever should such an important decision in a families life be your Side Hustle.
Not to mention I had signed the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics agreement that requires care, diligence, sense of urgency, responsibility, knowledge, and that just one of the rules.
I learned quickly that in order to do this job I needed training, and not just watching videos, or reading a few training manuals. I needed hands on real training.
I began calling home inspectors to request if I could come to inspections. I called lenders and requested meetings to learn about the home buying process and what different programs each lender specialized in. I participated in appraiser meetings, local planning meetings, construction development meetings.
I met with contractors, WDO inspectors, Foundation specialist, the Environmental Protection Agency.
I had to learn all the details myself before I could properly advise a client.
I kept my full-time job and put my license in inactive status until after 5 years of research and hands on learning I felt confident enough to walk up, shake someone’s hand and agree to represent them with knowledge, skill, diligence and commitment.
Any Career requires training, some take more time than others but I wouldn’t want the surgeon who just walked out of medical school to work on me first, or even the hair stylist that just passed the exam.
Police officers ride along for months before they are allowed to hit the street.
Buying or selling a home is the largest financial purchase one makes in their lifetime, some people only do it one or twice in their life. I take the role of being a trusted advisor seriously and although it took me a long time to feel confident enough to say, I am a Realtor. I do it with great confidence that I can represent my client to the best of my ability.
If you are considering getting into real estate, please partner with a trusted broker to give you guidance and to know what to expect. If done properly and for the protection of the public, I would plan on at least 1 year internship if you are full time. I do not recommend or support part time agents, this is not a side hustle, this is a career and should be taken seriously and done with your whole heart.
Fast forward to today, Broker / Owner of Big Fish Real Estate. I am a Florida Instructor of Real Estate, faculty member of the Florida Realtors Association and teach a the local Real Estate school and local boards. If you have questions about real estate as a career or just need advice, I would be happy to talk to you. I have been there and I will share with you the good, bad and ugly.
Reality check, those nice cars are leased because the agent drives more miles than an average purchased car could support and the schedule is far from flexible. You work when the phone rings so that means sun up to sun down.
I wish you much success in whatever God leads you to do, we all have a gift, find yours and SOAR.
