New agent

I don't know if this is the right place for this. I recently got my real estate license and signed on with an agency who has not been helpful at all. I have been with them for almost 2 months and have not even been trained on anything. I asked for an id and was told that I should have business cards made and they would double as my id. I have a full time job and can only do real estate on weekends. Does anyone have any suggestions or know an agency looking for a part time agent?

Re: New agent

Maybe I can help...

First, what kind of an id are you looking for? We have a NY state license (looks like a driver's license) that i always carry with me, but for day to day id when I'm working, I use my business cards. Mine (and most agents) have a photo, in addition to title (e.g., Associate Broker, Licensed Salesperson), company affiliation, contact info. When I meet a client or potential client, or another agent, I provide my card. Same when I am showing a house as a buyer's agent and meeting the seller of the house - - I introduce myself and give them my card. I order business cards in a lot of 5,000. They are one of the most important tools for a new agent to invest in for their fledgling business!

But your company should be able to direct you to a vendor they recommend for the cards. Maybe you can ask other agents what company they use for cards.

As far as training - most companies provide some, but the quality and quantity of the training varies widely. Large companies/franchises are more likely to have formal training programs in place and access to online training programs. Many companies have a trainer on staff, or at least a manager to advise agents on a day-to-day basis as needed. In some cases it's a broker, in others it's an employee working underneath the broker. It's usually best if the trainer/manager is not a competing agent in the office, in my opinion. In my office, we have a trainer and we also bring in outside speakers. But our in house trainer spends a lot (if not most) of her time helping new agents get started, as we hire new agents on a fairly regular basis.

All of that being said, what many people don't understand is that real estate is not a "job" like most others, where you report to work as an employee and your employer trains you and then assigns you work. As a real estate agent, you work for a company because you need a broker to hold your license (or in my case, I don't want the hassle of being a broker/owner, so I work as an associate broker under someone else). But you are an independent contractor and are expected to work independently. It's really like starting your own business... you have to generate most of your own clients, which is tough to do when you are just starting out. It's also very much a "learn on the job" type of career. Ideally, you will have a supportive office and a mentor or supervisor that you can go to on an as-needed basis. But I see many agents come in expecting clients to be waiting for them or expecting a lot of hand holding, but it just doesn't happen.

It's also tough to be part-time in a client service business. While real estate can be flexible, you do have to be available for clients when they want/need you. For example, a buyer may lose out on a house in a hot market if they have to wait the entire week for you to be available on a weekend.

I have seen part-time agents be quite successful, but they usually work in a team (partner up with another agent) to fill in the gaps, so to speak. If you can find a partner who can work during the week and maybe has some strengths that you lack and vice-versa, it may benefit you (plus if it's someone more experienced, you will gain valuable insight/training). But you have to be willing to split the compensation, or as a new agent, take even less than half.

Also, it's easy to get discouraged in the beginning, but it takes awhile for even full-time agents to hit their stride and start making money and doing steady business. Once you get a few transactions under your belt, it becomes easier because clients start to refer you and your confidence in your own knowledge grows.

If you have specific questions and want to let me know more about where you are located and what exactly you are looking for, I may be able to help. Feel free to FM me, too.

New agent

Thank you so much for your response Christine. It was very helpful. I never received a license to carry around with me, so I have no form of id at all and no proof that I am a licensed agent.

New agent

Christine is always so knowledgeable. I love reading her responses to real estate questions.

I used to be a broker many years ago, before I became a SAHM. She's right. It really is a full time business as you have to be familiar with the inventory and be quick on your feet and available to call customers and arrange showings. Same with getting listings, although I knew some part-time people who only brought in listings and collected listing fees when their listings sold.

In my experience, real estate agents were given a desk and chair and were expected to do pretty much the rest for themselves as "independent contractors". While I know the business has changed since I was active in it, that much remains the same. Out East where I am, most offices still have a weekly meeting to discuss listings, sales and rentals. Afterwards some agents may go out in a caravan to see new listings or attend open houses. Many agents are helpful to newbies, but others are not.

I have noticed that some experienced brokers are teaming up with newer agents in a symbiotic relationship that benefits both of them. The older agent mentors the younger one who does a lot of the scut work, updating listings, getting keys, arranging for pictures and getting them posted on the company's website, etc. Eventually, the newer ones gain the experience they need to work on their own.

You should be getting copy of your license soon, if you just passed the test. If you do not get it, you need to contact your real estate school to find out where get a copy of it. It needs to be kept in the office manager's file at the office where you work. I believe it used to come in two parts, one for the office and one for the agent.

Also, agents with their licenses at a company can't go out willy-nilly and design their own cards. They have to use the design format of that company. Ask the office manager how to get cards. Some companies arrange to have them printed for each new agent, others might have you go to a printer they already use.

Carry your cards everywhere. Always keep them in your purse and in your car. When you talk to people, give them your card. You never know when a connection might happen.

Best of luck. I loved working in real estate. I hope you do well.

Message edited 6/2/2015 12:41:23 AM.