3 hacks every new real estate agent needs
WATCH ON FACEBOOK LIVE: http://tinyurl.com/yawgfdkt
You are super smart. You passed the real estate exam. You joined a Realtor (registered trademark) board. You may even have your first lead. Congratulations! You are officially in real estate.
Let the hilarity begin.
You see there, while us newbies may think all we need is a license and MLS access to do business, there is so much we don't know that we don't know.
Here are 3 hacks I learned my first year that I had not thought much about:
1. The agent clown-car
How many clients can you fit in a real estate agents car? This may not have come across your mind. Especially not accounting for open house signs, mobile filing drawers, computer bags, and don't forget about the baked goods for them open houses!
Trust me, there will be more than once in your first year that you will feel like the circus came to town when you pull up in what once was your personal car.
The number of people you may fit in your car is going to be super important if you plan on carting around clients in it, while balancing other professional appointments.
My advice, don't. I meet my clients at the appointment and ask them to follow me.
That way I avoid strangers in my car. And should something awful happen while I am driving in my car I also avoid the liability of having others in the vehicle.
Now, I do still have to make sure I have enough room to pick up kids in the afternoon. So I still have to plan number of available seat-belts each day.
2. The Starbucks Stir-stick
No, you read it right.
The green coffee stirrer that also plugs the paper sippy cup opening, is one of my best real estate agent secrets.
I have struggled setting the code on many lockboxes and tiny tools either don't turn the plastic dials with arrows, or strip them.
One day I sheepishly brought the lockbox to my clown-car to finish my code setting attempt.
It was freezing outside and my hands were stiff, which didn't help.
I tried keys and paper clips and coins. Nothing. So I out reach out into the collection of stir sticks, thinking it will just bend and break off, but...it worked beautifully! I no longer mess around with other tools, and just make sure I have my magic green little friend with me.
3. A mentor
Not to be confused with your managing broker.
Your managing broker may be super awesome. I sure hope so.
However, their job is not to start your business. That is your job.
Your MB is there for oversight to make sure you don't mess up.
But don't fret! Find a mentor, someone who you admire that is in the business that you can follow around for awhile. I have been super blessed and have many mentors who discuss business and help me overcome myself (<---biggest business obstacle).
Having the right mentor is seriously one of the key ingredients to success in this business, regardless if you are brand spanking new, or 10 years deep.