I'm feeling nostalgic...don't really know why but I am.
I've been a real estate professional for 22 years now. I've been through many ups and downs...good markets and bad ones....been there... done that and got the T- shirt!
Over the years I've seen many agents come and go...the lure of "easy" money and then the reality of having to really work hard to earn that easy money sets in and poof their gone!
Years ago I once trained an agent who after sitting through 2 weeks of our company's new agent training program thought he knew it all. I thought to myself...I'll give him a month. His first customer did him in...he showed her four houses and refused to show her more...he thought she should just buy one of the four he showed her and she should be grateful that he had taken the time to show her those four. What did she expect that he would cart her butt around until she found something??? He lasted 3 weeks.
Another agent didn't understand why he had to be available to show homes during the customers schedule...he wasn't wasting his weekends with Looky Lou's.
One guy told me point blank that he couldn't stand real estate agents...he had all sorts of degrees and certainly knew how to sell real estate...he didn't want to waste his time participating in training. After all he had sold many of his own homes without the help of an agent...what was it that I could teach him that he didn't already know...I wonder what he is doing today?
Then there was the nurse who left a highly stressful career to do something "easy"...she needed to remove all
the stress from her life and real estate sounded like fun!
The guy that takes the cake was in his late 50's, he sat through training...a good student, watching everything I did. This was the days of the floppy disks...Bill Clinton was president...remember those days? Anyway after training was complete, he came up to me and gave me a floppy disk labeled "Monica" and told me I left it at his house. I had never been to his house and reminded him of that and that my name was not spelled Monica with a c but Monika with a k. It didn't matter he insisted it was mine and left it on my desk.
Much later I decided to play it and see what in the world it was. I was pretty grossed out as it was full of pornography... an X rated spoof of Monica and Bill Clinton. It really grossed me out and made me wonder what he was thinking about all those times he sat in class watching me. Yuck!
The list is endless...and it always bothered me to see someone spend $1,000 plus just in start up money just so they can do real estate and last less than a month. They were clueless about the reality of being a real estate agent.
What does it take to be a good real estate agent? What would you look for if you were to hire an agent to represent you? Can you describe you ideal agent?
Often I've wondered what special attribute do you have to have...to love this business.
I've never been lucky enough to get rich in this business.
I've missed more family time than I care to remember. My kids had to learn to accept that mom might jump in the middle of dinner or laugh when they cut into their birthday cake in front of all their friends to find somehow the table spoon got baked into the cake...mom must have had a real estate call in the middle of mixing the cake and forgot about the spoon.
Just what is that makes us a good agent?
I may not financially be rich but I am rich in many ways...I've helped shape the future for many people...helped them be able to create memories and achieve the American dream of home ownership. I'm a damn good agent...I know my stuff, I'm ethical even when no ones looking and I love what I do. Is that enough?
What makes you a good agent? What sets you apart?
Monika McGillicuddy
Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County
Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training Website
Hampstead NH Real Estate
603-548-7728
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Hey Monika!
In reading your post, I did find myself wondering what sets those of us who have 'staying power' in this business apart from those who just don't make it. I don't really know the answer except that we all must have some variation on the following attributes:
-- self starters
-- self motivators
-- stamina & staying power
-- the ability to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps when needed
-- sense of humor
-- gluttons for punishment (just kidding on this one!)
We all derive great pleasure from helping others attain their goals of home ownership. That is an AWESOME feeling!
We must possess plenty of other stuff, too, but that's what jumped into my mind when I read your post. Very thought-provoking!
I thoroughly enjoyed this post (and your strength of character in revealing all of the old Monikas!). That last question is hard. I guess what makes me a good agent is that I'm always striving to be a GREAT agent. Not sure I'll ever get there-but it's a fascinating journey. For me, nothing beats the client who named her daughter after me. Where else but real estate are you blessed enough to have relationships like that?
Thanks Ann...sometimes "gluttons for punishment" is all to true LOL even if you were kidding! I have to learn that color thing,...I love it!
Thanks so much Leigh...I went down memory lane a bit with the old photos...must really have felt nostalgic! Wow how cool to have a baby named after you!!! I married my clients, that was very exciting. I was so nervous standing standing up there in front of all their family and friends performing the service.
Hi Moni! I don't know if this was supposed to be funny, but omg it was! I bet you have even more stories; maybe you can do a part two! You rock :=)
anything we stick with we have to have a passion for, otherwise, won't want to put up with all those things on the way to doing what we do.
3C I'm with you. Moni write more about this. I bet you have great stories. I'm forwarding this to some people I know.
This was great! You'll have to write MORE stories from your training classes. Bet you've got lots of funny ones.
Monika with a 'k'.... ;o) I am also amazed at how so many people think it's a 'get rich quick' setup.I loved the b-day cake and spoon thing. Very funny. Overall, great post with some key reminders.
On another note.... I don't think you and Jay Participated in my one blog from 3 months ago. How we looked over 20 years ago? I would love for the two of you to stop by and leave a few pictures.... thanks
Monika, thank you. This really hit home with me. I am always reaffirming WHY I am in the business and wondering WHY some others choose it, when they are obviously disillusioned... Here is my favorite line (I may have to use it...)
"I'm ethical even when no ones looking and I love what I do."
You rock, Monika.
Great Post!
It is amazing what we go through in life Monika. Life has many curves, hills and mountains. What we do with them is up to us. You have handled them all well my friend.
Moni ~ you tell a great story. I can imagine all the wannebe agents who had a very different concept of what we have to do to be successful. It certainly isn't about us, it's about the customer. Or at least it is if you want to survive in real estate!
I've been in the business since 1984 working full time for all except one year, when I still sold houses even though I didn't set foot in the U.S. for 11 of 12 months. :)
I have an internal smile when the new folks think the world is coming to an end because the real estate market is flat or declining. So? What else is new? It's up or down or whatever, it is and always will be a "market." What makes an agent stand out is the ability to provide support and encouragement for customers to do what it is they need to do. They would prefer to make money all the time, but sometimes that isn't going to happen. It's better that we tell them that then not.
Flexibility has been the secret of my success. I work my client's agenda, not mine. IN addition, I am hard of hearing, so I end up listening harder. Sounds funny, but when you have to communicate with more than one sense, you find you learn more. I have to pay very close attention to people. Hummm is that a secret weapon?
Another important trait is the fact I care and it shows.
Nothing earth shaking. Just basic good old common sense.
kk
Well, there's a trip down memory lane, with a few good laughs. Are you starting to write your memoirs? Could be a best seller!
Enjoyed this alot, Monika. But then I always enjoy your posts.
Jeff
Monika: I thought I was good until I read this! I love your resume :)
A lot of people don't realize just how much work and time this business requires.....its not as easy as one may think up front...not to be successful anyway!
You story reminded me on one my brother shared with me when I visited his office in Missouri a year ago. An agent in his office was in tears. She had no idea how hard this business would be. She thought you just drive people around and look at houses.
I think everyone in the office watches in wonderment when we see new agents come in and can tell their shelf life instantly. I always what inspired them to get their license if they're so surprised by the work load and how the job "really" is.
I've never had anyone hand me a disc of porn, yet. I have found some peculiar stuff on office computers, though!
You don't get in the Real Estate for money that is for sure! Great post Monika Thanks
Carole...Thanks so much :)...I have ton of of stories. Maybe I should dust them off!
Charles... Maybe thats it, having a passion for it. I can't imagine doing something else. Thank you for commenting.
Thanks Dena S...I might just follow yours advice.... thanks so much for stopping by!
Elaine...Thanks so much for reading and enjoying my post!
Thank you so much Jeff B...To this day the kids at that birthday party remember the cake with the big spoon baked into it! Jeff I think Jay posted his before pics on your post...I know I didn't. It was pretty hard looking at the ones I posted here...makes me realize just how much time has gone by! I'll dig for some more old photos and post them for you <gg>...you might be sorry :)
Mariana..Thanks so much for your kind words!!!!
Dena...Thanks for your comment. I hate it when people enter this business with no money to begin with and then spend what they don't have in start up costs. I always tell people you need at least 6 months in reserves at all times.
Thanks Pete... for reading my post.
George T...Thank you so much and I agree with you life does have many curves, hills and mountains and it is up to us how we handle them!
KK...Thanks for your comments! I want to hear about your time outside the country...was it when you went on the bike tour? My butt hurts thinking of that!!! Funny I'm hard of hearing too which like you said makes you listen all the harder...I listen to much more than what I can hear...if that make sense!
Jeff D...Wow Thanks so much for compliments! Hmm write my memoirs...LOL maybe I should :)
Thanks so much Renee I appreciate your comment!
Thanks Kaushik...I agree people simply don't realize the work involved...sometimes I blame some of it on pre licensing instructors. They make it sound so easy...once you pass the test your on easy street.
Randy...I once told an agent that maybe they should just become a professional tour guide...there is so much more to this business than driving buyers around. Thanks for commenting Randy.
Chris...LOL We had an up agent surf the prom sites while on floor time...he didn't think that anyone would ever find out! I love the Shelf Life comment!
Sonja...Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it!
Real estate practice is well suited for us folks who prefer entrepreneurship to working for others. It's also financially rewarding, if you plan, work hard and work smart.
It's also fun.
Thanks for this post it has given me motivation
Monika.. great post! haha.. :^D you lured me in with the floppy disks..i so techie! but you grabbed with your stories.. and i stayed till the very end! :) this was an enjoyable read.. and maybe your feeling nostalgic because of all the snow outside!! you're trapped. thanks for sharing those pictures.. you really
put yourself out there. :)
what sets me apart? me. :)
i ditto Ann's comments.
Lenn...Entrepreneurial is right on. I could simply not handle a 9-5 type job! Thanks for stopping by!
Dwayne...Thanks so much for reading my post and commenting I do appreciate it.
Hey Cool Dude Nick...Thanks for the visit! My title grabbed ya huh? I'll tell you I had a nightmare that miss typed one letter in the word "disk" and my honey Jay freaked out...LOL!!! Scary!!! Thanks for the comment Nick and congrats Jay told me you hit 50 big post today as well!!!
Monika- I also did training for many years.. I think the people who do well in this business have a basic sense of fair play and really care about their clients. You must be self motivated and both persistent and consistent in your daily routine. You also have to be willing to learn as you go along... no matter how long you are in the business there is always something new to delight or scare the pants off you..
Like that TREO KAYE. Shouldn't you be syning that phone right now? LOL
Kaye...I always say that you can never close the book on learning! So many people think they've passed test and that is all there is to it! Scare the pants off you...yup I've been there!
Chris...My TREO was a trip! LOL I'm still not at the point of mastering it but I love it NOW.
I'm sorry I'm late for this but first I have to tell you that I LOVE the photos! I think they say it all. You are a true class act, and I can't believe you were ever worried about finding your voice.....great post and would love to hear more stories. I do admit that I thought this business would be easier than it is. My biggest disappointment is other real estate agents and their lack of integrity, people who would do ANYTHING for money, it's pretty sad. And the other thing I can totally relate to is having to jump at anytime to do a showing or to answer an important call - my kids are not used to it and even my mom criticises how readily available we are for our customers.
Ines...Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you for your sweet comments! Funny I added those photos at the last minute..a little trip down memory lane.
My kids got used to it pretty fast...at the same time I was an EMT/Firefighter and often just dropped what I was doing to respond to an emergency call. So the interruptions really wasn't new for them. I'm with you as far as Unprofessional REALTORS are concerned. It aways amazes me the lack of common courtesy that people have! Thanks so much Ines.