| So You Want to Be a Real Estate Agent? | | | | connection is good and will come in handy in |
| | | | the future. Any tip, juicy scoops, or new |
| There's the persistent myth that the real | | | | finds in the business is always appreciated, |
| estate business is an instant | | | | and that's what connections are for. The |
| money-generating, easy treasure trove. Well, | | | | point is, in the real estate business, people |
| it is, but with hard work, patience, and best | | | | skills is a virtue always worth honing. |
| of luck. | | | | |
| | | | Win some, lose some. |
| For the newbie in the business, though, real | | | | |
| estate can be a thorny, if not downright | | | | Partnering with someone is a good way to get |
| frustrating venture. It's basically a | | | | started especially if you don't have enough |
| gamble; profits will come rushing in only | | | | money to lay on the table. Your partner will |
| after one or two years down the road. After | | | | be the one to worry about the finances, while |
| all, you are just establishing yourself and | | | | you do the legwork (scouting properties, |
| building your name and credentials. Add to | | | | looking for buyers, touring them around, |
| this the fact that you're up against more | | | | etc). And then you split the profits between |
| cutthroat veterans. | | | | yourselves depending on the agreed |
| | | | percentage. A commission of twenty percent |
| In the meantime, there's always the | | | | may not exactly be top-notch cash, but what |
| temptation to regret the day you traded your | | | | you're really after-since you're just |
| regular and stable job at the office for the | | | | starting-is learning the ropes of the trade. |
| more unpredictable, often heartbreaking real | | | | |
| estate bubble. Times like this, you have to | | | | Win some. Then win more. |
| focus on the future benefits, not the present | | | | |
| drawbacks. | | | | You make new contacts everyday, know who the |
| | | | key players in the business, and earn their |
| Lose some, lose some. | | | | trust regarding future team-ups. Overall, |
| | | | you'll be growing comfortable in a business |
| As everything changes along with technology, | | | | best characterized by constant ups and downs. |
| so does real estate. You'll still need your | | | | |
| pen and paper of course, but it would be | | | | Whatever the case, in the real estate |
| heaps easier if you armed yourself with a PC | | | | business, you are your own boss and you own |
| or a laptop and a fast internet connection. | | | | your time. There are no routines, no office |
| Now, more than ever, information on current | | | | chair restraining you. What replaces these |
| real estate trends and marketplace behavior | | | | are sweet victories with every successful |
| is available, so take advantage of all that. | | | | deal made. |
| Knowledge is power, so goes the cliché. | | | | |
| | | | Before long, you'll be glad you made the |
| Real estate is all about making connections. | | | | switch. |
| Not necessarily the right connections; any | | | | |