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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I personally would go on a bender for about 3 days. Oh wait, that's exactly what I did.

Seriously, catch your breath, get your legal pad or Excel spreadsheet out and get started on your business plan.

Get 2 pairs of comfortable shoes.

Get your car detailed.

And find somebod to mentor you through the early steps.

Feb 14, 2018 07:16 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

       ActiveRain just ran a series, "Advice for New Agents".   There are about a dozen posts that will help you.

Feb 14, 2018 07:13 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

The first thing I did was holler "Thank You Lord Jesus!"

Feb 14, 2018 07:28 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Actually, before you pass the test interview with some brokers and find a good fit so you can hit the road running when you pass the test.  There are many excellent articles on this site on how to select a broker.  Your main priority as a new agent is to find one that offers training and ongoing mentorship.  Many promise it.  Few deliver it.  

Your Designated Broker can help you design and execute a Business Plan.

Feb 14, 2018 07:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

The successful agents already got clients lined up. It is a matter of formalizing a business with a license. Those who do not have clients often spend first year staring at their license and have no business. Is this something you really want to do?  The first year the fees and membership costs $5000-8000 a year. You got a Lexus, professional clothing and 6 -12 month of savings? 

Feb 14, 2018 07:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Find a brokerage firm. Find a broker you have good rapport with and one who has a good mentoring and training program.

Feb 14, 2018 07:22 AM
Rainmaker
585,600
Dee Toohey
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Longwood, FL
Broker, ABR, AHWD, CIPS, FMS, ePro

Find a broker to work under.  Then take your post license education.  I'd recommend GRI 1 as it counts towards the GRI.  

Feb 14, 2018 07:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Don't post anonymously

Feb 14, 2018 09:31 AM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I lost my train of thought after reading Candice A. Donofrio's comment - 
I wish you the best with you exam and career - !! 

Feb 14, 2018 08:55 AM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Read what Candice A. Donofrio and Fred Griffin had to say!! Great advice.

Feb 14, 2018 08:38 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Open a bottle of bubbly and celebrate...and then do what Candice A. Donofrio advised.

Feb 14, 2018 08:20 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Follow what Candice A. Donofrio says and be sure to have plenty of Tequilla on hand. You are likely going to need it. 

Feb 14, 2018 08:16 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

the very first thing you should do is interview at several real estate offices.... select the one that offers the best training and mentoring ..... don't even think about the money.... you won't make much the first year unless someone is feeding you business.... you'll need to learn to market....

Feb 14, 2018 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Get more education...you can never have too much.

Take all the advanced classes you can and make sure that you understand the code of ethics.

The RE industry is full of "dummies" and it does not take much effort to be at the top.

Knowledge is power...use it.

Eve

Feb 14, 2018 07:12 AM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

First thing, give me a call, I can help you find a great broker to accelerate your career.

Feb 14, 2018 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Reduce your business plan and budget to writing and increase your networking activities.

Feb 14, 2018 11:04 AM
Rainer
252,600
Macy Babb ... North Georgia Realtor
Re/Max Around Atlanta Realtor - 404-234-6166 - Cartersville, GA
Realtor, SFR, HUD/REO Certified

First find a brokerage to work under, I interviewed 11 (more than most) but interview more than one, it needs to be a good fit. Then start your post education while you will be slow and can get it done easier

Feb 14, 2018 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Go to work?

Feb 14, 2018 07:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Treat yourself. Then start looking for a reputable brokerage to associate yourself with.

Feb 14, 2018 07:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

What was the first thing you did when you decided to get licensed? Do that

Feb 14, 2018 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Find a managing broker to sponsor you and explain the costs of getting started in your state!

Feb 14, 2018 07:13 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Actually, this should have been done before plunking down your dollars to attend real estate school. So, you will need to do this concurrent with your daily activities now.

As a real estate agents, YOU ARE STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS. And you are the business OWNER.  You are not an employee. You are responsible for creating business, finding profit, marketing, paying your bills, buying your insurance and paying for EVERYTHING as you go. There will be NO ONE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.  When your saving is gone, the game is over.

What you needed to do before, but should do now, is create your real estate agent business plan. (a one page exectutive summerary is all you need) Without a plan you will join the statistics of the 90 percent who never see their 2nd year anniversary. That is mainly because they trusted someone was looking out for them and consumed the Kool-Aid.  They were wrong.

With a plan your question becomes, 'Who is best qualified to assist in implementing MY plan?" That is a much better question and leads to a real commitment from the broker you join.

You need to know more.

We need to know more. Who are you?

Feb 14, 2018 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Get some rest.

Feb 15, 2018 05:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Find out a trustworthy brokerage to hang your license and practice real estate. 

Feb 14, 2018 09:13 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Figure out what brokerage is the best place for you to hang your license.

Feb 14, 2018 08:46 PM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

If you plan to be in general brokerage, you should start interviewing brokers. If you plan to work on-site, interview builders. Otherwise, start putting together a list of people you know well enough to send an announcement to, call, and/or visit. Include their phone number and emails. You can't really advertise you're an agent yet but, get ready. Put together an announcement. Once you know where you'll be you can get business cards and begin notifying people.

Feb 14, 2018 08:16 PM
Rainmaker
399,703
PropertyMinder (AccelerAgent)
PropertyMinder, Inc. - San Jose, CA
Modern Tools for the Modern Agent

You're getting an earful from seasoned, wise veterans in the real estate industry, Mr./Ms./Mrs. Anonymous. Take heed to what they generously share with you.

If you're exploring your marketing and website options (which are essential to also secure at some point) please feel free to reach out for a live demo and/or free test drive of our AccelerAgent marketing suite. - Tim

Feb 14, 2018 07:00 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Call everyone you know

Feb 14, 2018 06:58 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

You need to be affiliated with a broker to be able to use your agent license.

Feb 14, 2018 06:13 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I would guess to get a license you must determine who the broker will be. After that it is all about learning and getting trained.

Feb 14, 2018 05:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Go the next step with the best post graduate education you can find, and if you are in Ft Mohave, buy Candace a drink.

Feb 14, 2018 03:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,160,899
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Many great responses.

Feb 14, 2018 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
402,010
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

I would not wait to finish your course, I would start interviewing Brokers.

After you find the Broker that provides the best of what you are looking for, and that should include mentoring, then you will have your starting point for when you pass the test.

Always, include more education in your plans.

Best wishes

Feb 14, 2018 01:24 PM
Rainmaker
249,105
Denise Copeland
Home Sales Palm Beach - Jupiter, FL
Jupiter Abacoa Sales & Beach Front Luxury Homes

Find a good shrink. Learn to scream loudly where no one else can hear you. And most importantly, try not to take anything personally!

Interview a handful of brokers. Talk about training and commission splits. Also out of pocket expenses such as copy machines, office rent, etc.

Feb 14, 2018 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
855,369
Peter den Boer
Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA
MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

Start previewing homes as soon as you can. Learn the inventory.

Feb 14, 2018 11:34 AM
Ambassador
2,061,814
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

The first thing I did, after passing the real estate exam was to double-check to see that it was my name at the top of the paper.

After my official license came in the mail, I slicked up my hair, drove to the airport, and greeted people in the security line with: "I'm a Realtor, here's my card""I'm a Realtor, know anyone who's looking to buy or sell?", "I'm a Realtor, are you single?".

After I got out of TSA prison, I high-tailed it over to my nearest real estate office and offered them my services.

Feb 14, 2018 10:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Feb 14, 2018 09:01 AM
Rainer
69,794
Shawn and Angela Miller
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Amabassador Real Estate - Lincoln, NE
Lincoln and Omaha, NE REALTORS®

First thing, figure out who you want to work for.  Do your research on various companies.  Once you find your perfect broker.... tell EVERYONE your a real estate agent.  Send post cards, create a facebook page, etc.  Your circle of friends or SOI will most likely be your first clients.

Feb 28, 2018 02:44 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Find a broker and then start prospecting.

Feb 16, 2018 05:33 AM