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Wiley Close II, Real Estate Agent serving Portland Or. Metro Area (Respect Realty LLC)

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Rainmaker
1,712,776
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Actually had a wonderful first year. I wish I would have bought more investment homes.

Jun 02, 2018 03:02 PM
Ambassador
3,349,404
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

To get the heck out of my own way.  I spent far too much time and money on "branding" and setting up marketing systems. 

Jun 02, 2018 01:32 PM
Rainmaker
2,191,798
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

You need to learn Daily Disciplines and Activities that you spend 2-4 hours on M-F  to acquire appoints for SAT & SUN

Jun 02, 2018 03:12 PM
Ambassador
2,187,587
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

To focus on a niche.

Jun 02, 2018 02:40 PM
Rainmaker
7,863,184
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

More practical knowledge would have been helpful.

Jun 02, 2018 01:38 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

To ignore the naysayers and dream crushers 

Jun 02, 2018 04:52 PM
Ambassador
5,060,544
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

The value of a sphere of influence and a CRM

Jun 02, 2018 03:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,506,013
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Like Joe Pryor my first year was wonderful.  Double sided a $1.2m home as my first transaction out of the gate.  Good times!

Jun 02, 2018 06:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,553,319
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Relationships over "shiny objects".

It's all about creating advocates when you sell and when you network.

 

Jun 02, 2018 06:36 PM
Rainmaker
3,627,072
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Don't listen to my first broker, she was a dud

Jun 02, 2018 06:16 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

In my first year it would be to save more of the commission, learn to budget better for slow months. 

Jun 02, 2018 05:38 PM
Rainmaker
766,079
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I would ask other Realtors what the one thing they wished they knew when they started that would have helped them grow faster and smoother.

Jun 02, 2018 05:36 PM
Rainer
430,282
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

To choose a different broker to affiliate with, so I could have better quality training. CRM would have been nice too, invest in yourself and your business.

Jun 02, 2018 04:29 PM
Ambassador
2,684,569
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

      I had a successful first year, however I spent too much effort promoting the big company that I worked for, and not myself.  

      Second "wish I had" was waiting 3 extra years to get my Broker license.  Even if you have no intention of opening your own office, start working toward that Broker license as soon your real estate commission allows.  The Broker license sets you apart.

Jun 02, 2018 04:21 PM
Rainmaker
4,582,184
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Master/ build a powerful data base.

Jun 02, 2018 03:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,112,471
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

How to maintain a robust data base to work by referral.

Jun 02, 2018 02:56 PM
Rainmaker
2,399,936
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Other agents are NOT the enemy Wiley Close II . Play nice in the sand box.

Jun 02, 2018 02:32 PM
Rainmaker
2,221,377
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Set up my website right away.

Jun 03, 2018 07:08 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Roy Kelley nailed this one!

Jun 03, 2018 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Keep in touch with prospects.

Jun 03, 2018 05:16 AM
Ambassador
6,417,434
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

The world was a different place when I first started.

Jun 02, 2018 10:11 PM
Rainmaker
2,784,566
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Its what St Augustine said:   Love first then do as you will

Jun 02, 2018 06:44 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,581
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wiley,

I was fortunate to have a great teacher in my husband, and he had a great teacher...A

Jun 02, 2018 04:14 PM
Ambassador
5,254,035
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I had a great first year but, I do wish I had thought to hire out my marketing. I spent FAR too much time on that for YEARS!

Jun 02, 2018 04:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,728,156
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

To approach clients with caution and realize they don't play with the same level of honest integrity as we do.

Jun 04, 2018 08:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,900,966
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Ask for the business, ask for the referral.

Jun 04, 2018 05:30 AM
Ambassador
3,167,614
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

honestly nothing.  I had worked for the broker two years before I was licensed and I learned like a sponge from a great teacher.

Jun 03, 2018 09:20 PM
Rainer
177,949
Dr. Karen Lewis, Broker 954-2489149
Align Right Realty K1 Group - Fort Lauderdale, FL
No Compromise When it Comes to Our Clients!

Investing...

Jun 03, 2018 04:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,322,994
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

My sphere of influence was my best source of busienss. Still is. I should have mined my SOI propely from the beginning.

Jun 03, 2018 09:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

my first year was a great one because I had many "bird dogs" feeding me....what I wished I had learned earlier in my career was how to market on my own and not rely on anyone else....

Jun 03, 2018 07:56 AM
Rainer
65,378
Steve Bracero
Heisler and Mattson - Shrewsbury, MA
First Time Homebuyer and Investor Specialist

A CRM is critical, learning follow up as well 

Jun 03, 2018 05:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Find a good mentor.

Jun 03, 2018 05:35 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,013
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Keep a good database and stay in touch with people. Even if they aren't a buyer or seller now, they may be in 5, 10, 15 years and you'll likely get the business.

Jun 03, 2018 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
5,239,001
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Focus on a niche and control it. Then expand!

Jun 03, 2018 05:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,853,599
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Wiley, I wish I would have utilized a real estate CRM / database the moment I entered the real estate business.  

Jun 02, 2018 08:19 PM
Rainmaker
1,241,754
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

car sales experience......

Jun 02, 2018 03:28 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

26.2

That is the length of the marathon most new agents run. They don't know they are on the 1 yard line and they quit.

New agents should be required to spend their 30 days with a mentor and not allowed to spend even one penny on marketing or shiny things. Then, from the very beginning the agent will know if they have what it takes to claim the victory.

When you KNOW you have what it takes to go 26.3 miles life will go faster and smoother....'cause you know.'

But you really need to have a plan that is executable and a mentor who knows how to implement YOUR plan.

Jun 04, 2018 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,773
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Wiley Close II - Working by referral!

Jun 03, 2018 09:35 PM
Rainer
92,082
Jon K. Judd
Keller Williams Realty - Central Delaware - Dover, DE
GRI, e-PRO, SFR, Delaware Homes

Treat it like a business and quit being my own worst enemy.

Jun 03, 2018 06:00 PM
Rainer
8,407
Wiley Close II
Respect Realty LLC - Hillsboro, OR
Real Estate Agent serving Portland Or. Metro Area

Thanks all for the insight, information, and years of knowledge like a shot in the arm! I didn't expect my question to get so many answers. Very excited about this and humbled by all the contributors. 

Jun 04, 2018 12:37 PM
Rainmaker
5,877,335
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

The first thing you need to do is put together a very good CRM and keep track and contact with your first clients.

Jun 06, 2018 11:14 AM
Rainmaker
934,152
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

How to properly market with regards to "calls to action" for the potential client.

Jun 05, 2018 10:26 AM
Rainmaker
459,182
Emily Medvec
eXp Realty LLC - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM

Avoid scripts!

Jun 05, 2018 04:15 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Agree - promotion and promotion.

Nov 24, 2018 01:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Promote yourself

Nov 24, 2018 01:18 PM
Rainer
87,920
Jeff Perlis Prime Properties
Prime Properties - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Experience Your Own Transformation!

I did quite well my first year.

Jun 08, 2018 01:26 PM