Once you have your license, now you have an agency, how long could it take to sell your first house?

For me the answer to this question was five and a half months. Why did it take that long? Did I have another job to support me?

Yes it did take 5 1/2 long months to get a contract on my first house. No I did not have any other income coming in on my part, but, what I did have was a wonderful husband who was there supporting me financially and emotionally.

You may ask did it have to take that long to sell a house. Well the answer to this question will be based on each individual situation. What is the housing market like in your area? Are people listing houses, buying houses, and such. How much have you advertised yourself. The list can be daunting and endless.

I did a little asking around my office and talked to several veteran agents. those who have been in the business for over thirty-five to forty years. Almost everyone I talked to said it took a good amount of time to sell their first house. Several said they were near to losing their own homes and cars before the first sale.  Some had to borrow  money to pay their bills and others had the good fortune to have a supporting other half until things pickup for them.

Of all the agents I talked to, and the ones who has stuck with it, has stated their love for the business. With what experience I have in this business it takes guts.  Real Estate is not for the weak in faith or those how need instant results. I am not saying that it does not happen, just that it does not happen for most.

Some problems that new agents run into are people that are willing to work with new agents. I am in an area that is high vacation property and investment real estate sales. So most of the clients that walked through the door knew more about real estate than I did. It is possible to run into this situation. My best advice is to learn quickly. Don't be afraid to help out with other agents work at first. Ask questions about the contract process. Watch what other agents are doing. When you are somewhat new most agents won't mind letting you help them. I knew just about anything you wanted to know about building and remodeling homes. I had came from that line of work. But I knew very little about the buying and selling end of it.

I had to fight for every listing and every customer I got. People coming through always wanted the most experienced agent and those with the top sales. Of course we had a system in place for walk-ins and new clients, but if the clients and walk-ins asked for a particular agent, well we all know how that goes. At times I felt like I was never going to get my foot in the door and that maybe I had chosen the wrong place to work. I did start to loose hope.  In the end however it turns out that I did choose the right place to work and had a really good BIC. Even the best sometimes can still be hard to work with though.

Tips for getting your first house listed or sold faster.

1. The first day you get to the office your BIC should tell you to make a list of everyone you know. Not just your friends and relatives, but everyone you can think of. Even if you just know their first names. Get those last names and addresses.

2. Sit down and write a letter. You do not have to tell anyone that you are a new agent. It could be stated that you are new to ________ what ever real estate office you chose to work with and that you are letting everyone know where they can find you to buy or sell.

3. If you are shy it is going to be hard for you in this profession. Get those business cards printed and carry then with you. If you casually strike up a conversation with someone in the grocery store you can give them your card. The conversation does not have to be about real estate. For example; If you are a mom and you find out that you have kids that play on the same team together or will be. Wow. That's neat. Hey if you every need someone to take or pickup your child I wouldn't mind at all. Here is my business card with my numbers on it. I work at such and such realty. You do not always have to say anything about what you do. Your card should tell it all.

4. My BIC allowed me to sit in on closings and contract negotiations that really helped me out a lot.

5. I can not stress this enough. Learn your area. Learn about all the homes that your agency has listed if it is possible. Learn the MLS front to back. I have had some people say that this is not possible. It is possible. Everyday Just take time to look at the new listings. Do a little research about what sells best and usually the fastest in your area and get to know those listings really well.

6. Use every free and available source that your office provides. Some do not provide very many so use the ones they do to your advantage.

7. Any listing that you have or get let your BIC go over it to make sure you have basic wording correct. And that you do not list things that are illegal or make statements that could get you in trouble with the state board of real estate folks.

These are just a few things you can do to ijncrease your pressence and get closr to that first sale.