So you want to be a Realtor?
Preface: I have enjoyed a rewarding and exciting career in real estate for the past 25 years. This is what I have learned.
I began my real estate journey over 25 years ago. Night after night sitting in the Police house kibitzing with some of the officers eventually the conversation would turn towards real estate. One of the guys in particular kept telling me that I should "get into" real estate. He was one of those types of guys that was always on the hunt for a good deal. An owner of a couple of multi families, he always had his nose in a real estate magazine and his finger on the "housing pulse".
It took awhile, but I began taking the course for the salesperson exam. It came easy enough. I ate up the material. It was interesting and for sure the prospects of trading in the uniform for a business suit was nothing short of a wonderful dream! I thought, this was going to be way easier than dealing with the happenings that came along with the police job. Little did I know how similar the jobs would be!
Skills - Make no mistake about it. You will find yourself needing more skills than you can imagine. You will need a salespersons hat, a mortgage persons hat, an accountants hat, a tax mans hat, a lawyers hat, a septic guys hat, a negotiators hat, a web guys hat, a marketing guys hat, a photographers hat, an ad mans hat, a knowledge of building and let's not forget a decorators hat. Oh yes, and a psychologists hat!
Hours - Prepare yourself. A common misconception about the real estate profession is that, "you can make your own hours!" Make no mistake about this. It is not true! You are very much on your clients clock! I can guarantee you that you will not be attending that family barbecue because you have someone that wants to make an offer.
On the job Training - Trust me, it never ends. You might think you know it all, but you never do. Every transaction is different and poses a different set of challenges. If you can not roll with this. Do not consider this field!
Exceptional Pay - Be realistic. If someone tells you that you will be making all kinds of cash right away, be wary. It really doesn't happen that way. There are many costs and expenses that come with any business. Ups and downs. You can go from Prince to Pauper in 30 days. If it sounds too good to be true. It is. You will work for your money.
Working conditions - Trust me. You will walk into all kinds of homes and all kinds of living situations. You might walk into homes that house pigs or into homes that smell differently than you would expect. You might be asked to kill the bees, hang a curtain, feed a pet, call the oil company. Do not believe what you see on TV! This is not Bravo's Million dollar listing!
Having said all that...
If you become a Realtor, you will experience the best feeling in the world. That is helping someone into their new home. Done right, you will become part of their family, invited to weddings, baby showers, and you will attend funerals. On the negative flip side, you may help someone out of a home that has dragged them down emotionally or financially. Also a great feeling. You will be responsible for someones new start! Doesn't matter.
Do your job right and effectively. It can be the most rewarding job around.
So, you want to become a Realtor?
Take the course, take the test, interview for a firm. But, Be prepared to listen to folks, learn from them and to put your needs on the back burner to help them with the largest purchase they will likely make!
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About the author
Carol-Ann
Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the
past 24 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families
find, sell or purchase new places to live.A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA... is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities. She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.
Licensed in MA and RI...
Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
Her mission.... To exceed your expectations!
Carol-Ann Palmieri
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