gregorygarver.com

[MrAnswerrrrr]

How long did it take you close your first sale? And did that sale catapult you into marketing success?

[pplz1st]

what I'd like to know is how to get in to being one.Not for myself but for my son .

[financing_loans]

Referrals are a huge part of the business. Meaning the top agents dont have to market as much anymore.I think nationwide the average agent makes 5,000 a year. Not a month a year. I give you a little advice. You have to be good a sales, it helps if you know somebody or many people. But being good at sales is what you need.You take a math genious with a harvard degree. He might not make a penny in this game. I call it a game because I think it is.The point is simple, you take to top Real Esate Agent, Top Insurance Agent, Top Car Agent, Top Mortgage Officer... and give them the other job. They will still be in the top 5% of what job you give them.5% of the Agents make 90% of the money. Knowing how to write an earnest money is important. But its only 1% of your job.To answer your question. It depends on the person. I closed my first deal 1 week after getting my license. But im training somebody that has had a license for over a year. Two closings. She just not good at it.

[RainMaker]

Time to first sale can be deceiving...if a new agent has family or friends they may start of with a bang only to fade away later. Another person may be two to four months before they start rolling. Personally I closed over 40 homes my first year. But I came into the business with all bridges burned and no escape clause. I do not recommend that for anyone. Burning the candle at both ends may put money in the bank but the pace canot be sustained for the long haul. If one is considering Real Estate as a career the first step should be to determine your personality type. Using Marston's theory either an "I" or "D" are the best personality types although other types can make it. Once you have determined that your personality type is appropriate you should set aside one to two years living expenses. Get a business loan if you need to because Real Estate is like any other business, you need two to three years to really start making a living. Set a personal budget and stick with it. The easiest way today is to become a member of an already successfull team that will take the time to train you. Costly mistakes and your learning curve can really be cut back with the right training and mentoring. If going it alone do as all professional athletes do, get a personal trainer or coach. You must put money into the business in order to get big money back out of the business. And, Real Estate is a get rich scheme for a very few luckly people. For everyone else it isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. There is a book out there titled something like, "Things I wish my Broker had told me before I started" would probably be good for someone considering real estate as a career. I know the original question was from a father looking for a son... this is a self starter type business and you know you son. No one is going to care if he shows up every day or not. He will have to make the desision to be proactive with dollar productive activities every day. Good luck and Be Great!