Brittney Bissett
By Brittney Bissett
For my first YPN Lounge blog, I thought about what a new agent who has been licensed barely six months could bring to the table that more experienced agents would want to read about. Then I realized that with my “newbie” status, I could share how the newbies on the block see the business!
As a new agent, I think one of the most important things for us to do is find someone who we see as a mentor. If you are able to cultivate a working relationship with them, all the better. If not, find someone in your office, company, or area who works in a style you admire and just watch how they succeed. Watch what they do and then try to do it one better. It was probably one person who invented the wheel, but look at all we do with it today! The same goes for something you see as success story — you do it too, and do it better if you can!!! (Unless it’s copyright infringement, of course.)
Personally, I have been extremely lucky in landing in a situation where I had a strong and intelligent woman to take the reins in our office and share what works. Having a proven producer take you under their wing is a great way to boost not only your confidence, but also your street credibility. Watch them. Copy their style. Do their grunt work! It will pay off in the end. You will, in turn, pick up their habits that put them where they are today. Also pay attention to the tips and tricks your company gives you. They wouldn’t push it if it didn’t work.
And to the experienced agents… be nice!!! The new kids, while not necessarily having their feet under them, are still your colleagues. We are still learning and doing the best we can. A good manager will help get some of the kinks worked out, but everyone should be able to remember the first contract they wrote or their first listing that got an offer! Hopefully we can all play nice in the sandbox together.
Brittney Bissett is a REALTOR® with Howard Hanna in Madison, Ohio. Learn more about Brittney at www.howardhanna.com or connect with her on Twitter @brittneybissett.
Comments 11
Hi Brittney,
My name is Janina Farr. I work for Keller Williams located in Chicago. I totally agree with your post. I’m a newbie as well, but I’ve learned so much. I’ve only been licensed for 3 months, but I already have serious clients looking to buy. Unfortunately I haven’t been so lucky in finding someone who would mentor me, but I do have my eye on one agent in my office. I want to be just like her, and even beter, so for now I’m going to just keep watching. What I’ve experienced as a new agent is that alot of top agents either don’t have time or just aren’t that interested in helping new agents. I kinda feel like they just want us to learn on our own as they did. Anyway hopefully I’ll connect with someone one day, but in the meantime I’ll just keep educating myself and you do the same. Google is my best friend. lol
It is great to read a post from a newbie. I too am new to the business and love to read blogs and would love to someday actually blog, however it has been a challenge for me since I am still in the learning phase of this career. I enjoyed reading you blog. It was great to have someone to connect to. Thanks.
I remember there were 2 of us newbies back in 1986 in my office of 2 dozen seasoned old-time realtors. She had a little experience working as a secretary there for years but she had gumption and fortitude along with a great desire to please. It was infectious. She gained the loyalty of a top-notch attorney with a new family and sold her a high-end home for her very first closing and then received referrals from her forever. So, see…even though I had much more experience than she did; she was excited about her new profession and her enthusiasm paid off! Yes, she may have been exuberant but she was direct and honest. When she didn’t know the answer to the question; she vowed she’d find out. She followed up, she did as she said she would. She was reliable and trustworthy, something that doesn’t necessarily come with experience.
Hi Brittany. Enjoyed your blog. I am just coming up on two years in the business and your advice is absolutely correct. It wasn’t until I moved from a large company to a smaller office that I was able to find an experienced mentor whom I could lean on. She has made all the difference in my career.
Thank you for your post!
Good luck. Victoria Wilson, Austin TX
Brittany, I applaud you for sharing such valuable insights! I am not as new as you however, found out early on that the Real Estate industry operates quite different than others and although it would have been wonderful to have had a mentor, as with all things – you persevere if that is not afforded to you. With the advent of technology and the instant manner in which we communicate I am confident that us “newbies” will get acclimated quickly and represent the next generation of buyers and sellers alike with EXCELLENCE!
Best wishes and I will certainly keep you in mind should I ever have a referral!
Jeannie McDermott Sasrasota, FL
Friends: I am working on the sixth edition of my book “Your Successful Real Estate Career.” It’s written primarily for those considering a career in real estate or who are new to it. These posts are very informative and are providing some great material for the new edition. Please keep the comments coming. You can check out the contents of the book at Amazon. Contact me by email if you have feedback. Thanks: Ken Edwards
Hey Brittany,
thx for this blog, it’s really well written. I am thinking of taking the carrier path of a realtor and your real life perception with respect to the world of real estates is really inspiring. Especially, the part that emphases the importance of having a mentor. But what about the way more experienced agents act to the newbies? And how long does it usually take for a rookie to become professionally accepted? Thanks a million for your reply. Btw. I found this funny categorization of realtors: http://jaybanks.ca/vancouverrealestatenews/2011/07/22/10-types-of-realtors/ Is there any truth to it?
Take care!
Bob
Tampa, Florida area veteran Realtors have certainly shown me no love. I have been cussed out, lied to and unsuccessfully taken advantage of. Leaves me to beleive they are scared of what I have alredy accomlished in such a short time and my technology skills.
Good story. I found my mentor (My Broker). I’m in NJ and everyone and there mother has left the business. Bad for them good for me. My Broker has a ton of experience and I have the chance to be a sponge. Since asking him to carry me as his second child(LOL) I have seen my business double in a matter of weeks. Your absolutly right, do there grunt work. I got two listing last week just by putting up his signs. Keep up the good work. Just a word of advice. “If you list you will last”
Hi, Brittany,
First off, welcome to our wild and crazy world! With your open minded and appreciative attitude, you demonstrate that you welcome input from “veterans’. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you find that experienced agents will be quite forthcoming to you. You will find their input invaluable.. I was fortunate to have learned from some of the best in the business in my market. What a great way to begin in ANY business! I gained years of experience in a very short time frame, and developed professional relationships that help me to this day.
I have found that newbies who come into the business with a lesser positive attitude won’t fair as well. There are some who come in with the thought that everyone before them has been “doing it all wrong” (One actually voiced this to me!), and that the newbie will set them straight. That isn’t a recipe for cooperation and success. Some come in with an incredible sense of entitlement, that everyone should be falling over themselves in order to help the new agent become more knowledgeable in the field. Experienced agents are not threatened by these behaviors. Some may be amused, and others will be annoyed. However, none will be inspired to offer help and useful advice, and will leave these particular newbies to their own devices to muddle through and to reinvent the wheel.
I learned at an early age that respect is not given, it is earned. I am sure that goes for both the newbie and the experienced agent. Being nice is just good old fashioned manners, which help us all get along. Our job is tough enough without silly sniping and griping. Stay positive, and you and other newbies will soon be wise veterans!
Anne Meczywor
Thank you every one for such amazing comments and feedback!! Its great to hear that so many of you have similar stories and experiences. Please feel free to email me directly at brittneybissett@howardhanna.com if you have any questions or want to send any referrals to northeast ohio 😉 also check out my blog http://www.realtorbrittney.blogspot.com as I add more writings!!!