Personal Finance and Money Management

Starting Out
Deciding on a career in Real Estate wasn’t an easy one for me although I knew it was something that I always wanted to do. I wavered back and forth for nearly a decade before finally deciding to take the plunge. As with any new venture getting started is always the hardest part. For me that was actually enrolling in the course. From there the course work just became a part of the daily routine. And I’m sure, like most of you, we worked during the day and studied the often mundane course work by night. It would take me the better part of five months to complete the course work and pass the exam. I don’t think I have ever been so nervous to take an exam in my life. Little did I know that the final exam flowed much smoother than I had originally expected. The preparation in the weeks leading up to the exam was the true test for me. As most of you know the exam study guide consists of 1000 practice questions covering every imaginable angle of real estate. I tend to learn by doing things rather than reading about them. I was nearly overwhelmed by all the legal phrasing in the course manual as it certainly isn’t written in practical terms. I kept asking myself “Are they seriously going to ask me this on the test?” Panic nearly set in but I managed to build up enough knowledge and confidence to get through the exam and pass. Mission Accomplished!

It’s been three months since that day. In those three months I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to be a new agent in this business. There is an obscene amount of information to comprehend in your first few months on the job. Once you establish what brokerage you’re going to work for you’re going to meet a lot of people who have been in the industry for most of their lives. It’s interesting; in speaking to agents who have been at it for three or four years they still feel that they are really new to the real estate industry. This has a lot to do with the fact that every transaction you’re involved with is almost entirely different. Sure, each deal will follow the certain basics that form any transaction but each client, contract, sale etc. will always be unique. I’m constantly being reminded from other agents that rarely will you get a deal that goes perfectly smooth from beginning to end.

The clients, contracts, open houses, and showings are all a part of what we do as real estate agents. But as you will quickly learn it really only forms a small part of the process. It’s what goes on behind the scenes that will make or break you in this business. If you’re going to succeed in real estate it’s going to be what defines you from other agents, no matter how big or how small. You can have a massive advertising budget or a small advertising budget but you have to create some appeal in what you are trying to relay to the customer. You could spend $100,000 per month on advertising but if it has nothing to say or make you stand out in a positive light it will not be money well spent. For myself, my budget for now is not very much but my focus is on maximizing my exposure to the people I know and the ones who will help me grow my business. We are in a service industry and from day one it has been my goal to provide the most relative, up to date information as well as be professional and accessible to all of my clients. With the market changing as quickly as ours has over the past few months, now more than ever, service is one area of many that as new agents we can separate ourselves from the rest.

As new agents we may not have the fancy cars, the exorbitant advertising budgets, and the dozens of listings. What we do have is the advantage of being extremely excited and passionate about real estate. Your hard work and your positive and professional attitude will be what will get you clients and will ultimately lead you to sell houses. Regardless of your experience level clients want to work with someone they like and can trust to look after their interests.

So if you’re new to this industry like me, get out there, get excited and work as many open houses as you can, meet as many people as possible, and treat everyone like you would expect to be treated. Do your best to focus on above all else, the service you provide to your clients.

By Mike Oxley
Real Estate Agent Profile

Best of luck!

Mike Oxley

Prudential Sussex

North Vancouver, BC

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