anyone sell real estate as a living?

V

Vermont woodsman

Joined
Jan 22, 2005
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My sister who lives in jersey was thinking of getting into selling real estate. Shes heard you can make around 40k a year at it. Does anyone know anything about it?
 
I don't know anything about real estate but she should avoid any business with a guy named Tony Soprano. :D


Sorry guys, couldn't resist.
 
It's a pretty high-turn-over profession. It's seems very simple on the surface and if the markets are good, it can be profitable without to much work. But, to really be profitable and successful at it long-term through the market cycles, etc., you really do have to take it professionally and put a lot of effort into ti.
 
Most of my Family sells real estate in NJ. What area are you referring to. Incomes VARY depending on Location BIG time. :-). Im licensed as well but only use for my own personal buying and selling. Feel free to email me if any questions sir.
Loandr.
rnatkin@cfl.rr.com
 
I can't say about Jersey, but there are a few things to consider:
Like any sales business, you have to be really tough-rejection, long hours, backstabbing are all par for the course.
"can make" is useless information.
You are basically on your own, and if you can hang with the horrendous hours, the periods of no income, and heavy workload, you may be ok.
The turnover rate is partly due to these factors listed above.
The market in FL is booming, but I know a few people that don't/can't make money here.
It's a lot for someone to consider-if you're used to working a 9-5, it's probably not the job for you.
 
Gollnick said:
It's a pretty high-turn-over profession. It's seems very simple on the surface and if the markets are good, it can be profitable without to much work. But, to really be profitable and successful at it long-term through the market cycles, etc., you really do have to take it professionally and put a lot of effort into ti.
Click to expand...

This is very good advice. Know that it is a cyclical business and that there are a bunch of low-end shysters who try to skim the bottom of the market. There are also the national chains who want to be listing agents and never generate traffic through your living room when you are trying to sell - no matter to these SOB's. they get half of the commissson just for owning the listing. The biggest competition is the experienced agents who continually churn the listings and know how to close a deal.

Yeah, you can easily make 40K but you can easily make 10K too. It's a good business and I've been transitioning into it with the expectation that I will be doing it full time within 5 years. My wife had a 20K week this week. Everything came together at the same time - usually she does about 40K per year. Expect good times and bad if you get into this business. The good can be really good - the bad can mean no income for months or even years (although we haven't seen that happen).
 
Vermont woodsman said:
My sister who lives in jersey was thinking of getting into selling real estate. Shes heard you can make around 40k a year at it. Does anyone know anything about it?
Click to expand...



Been there,done that & it's not easy.You have to be AGRESSIVE & able to read people. Prequalify them yourself by a few gentle questions. When they tell you what they can afford, don't really accept it. I've had customers that would go elsewhere & buy a more expensive home after a tour with me.
If they see something they like,somehow most can find ways to afford it.A slow learner can fail in a hurry.
Don't count on a coming closing either. Count on it the day you take your commision check to the bank. People forget repo's,foreclosures & bankrupsies but the Credit Bureaus have the facts.
The agency you ask for a desk bears scrutiny too. It's like a car dealer,not your mom,not your pop,or family--they are out to grab every cent they can.

Uncle Alan
 
Being in sales for 17 years myself..let me give your sister a piece of advice..


RUN AWAY FROM THIS IDEA AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND DO NOT LOOK BACK


Real estate sales people are probably the bottom rung of the sales profession..although some real estate sales people can make a living you usually have to sell in excess of several million dollars worth of real estate to beat the commission structure set up by most major real estate firms. There are many "part time" soccer mom realtors..who are nothing more than listing agents..they never have actually sold a home but list homes for the small stipend that the real estate companies give them. These retards have ruined the quality of the profession..there is really no way to make a serious living in this profession unless you are willing to
1. Work you ass off 50 60 hrs.
2 do this for three years then you start seeing the 40k a year..


Remember sales people are born not made...so regardless of what you have read...you cannot become a star salesperson with out some serious raw material to begin with...

If your sister wants just some pocket change..or to help the family budget..tell her to get a real job..
 
Ren the devils trailboss said:
there is really no way to make a serious living in this profession unless you are willing to
1. Work you ass off 50 60 hrs.
2 do this for three years then you start seeing the 40k a year..
Click to expand...

Add to this list:
3. Work every weekend and evening because that's when your clients are NOT working and that's when they expect you to meet with them (and if you don't, one of the sharks will gladly take your clients and listings away from you).
 
I talked this weekend to a friend of mine who is a successful real estate agent. Her husband is also a realtor. So, this couple makes their living selling real estate. When I asked, "How are you?" she responded most enthusiastically. You see, she had just, that morning, closed on a house. It was a rather substantial house so her commission is good. But, it was also the first house she's sold (and, therefore, the first penny of income she's made) in over three months. The residential real estate market in this area is highly seasonal. My friend tells me that a lot of rookies throw in the towel in about December of their first year.
 
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