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