Getting into it: How much time do you need?

[Jemini]

I was just curious to know, for new RE agents (and I know that everybody was 'new' at one time), how long would it usually take to see good results for your work? In terms as making your first sale and getting your frist comission, how long would one expect to wait for this to happen?

Now, I know that its different for each person, each, situation, each area, etc., so Im not looking for exact times. But just a general timeframe and maybe some testimonials from people when they first started. Thanks.

[Duncan Pollock]

The fast answer is probably "too long"!
But in reality it's going -- as you suggest -- to depend a great deal on what you bring to the job. Do you, for instance, come with a long list of people who've just been waiting for you to get your licence? Or are you starting out with, in effect, zero names and, worse still, merely represent one more agent in an already crowded market?
However, the key, beyond all question, is how hard you work, how many calls (by whatever means and in whatever direction), you are determined to make, and how patient, persistent, and persevering you are and intend to be.
Despite all the mumbo jumbo about the real estate business, it's a case of numbers, just as any selling activity is. Thus, the answer to success lies in simply doing three things:
1. See the people.
2. See the people.
3. See the people.

Duncan

[tammi]

Hi, I am a new agent in Chicago. I have been an agent for 2 months. I have 2 contracts already, set to close both in the week of June 20th. I am writing up an offer tomorrow. Sounds too good to be true I know but trust me it is. I work with a very progressive company with a very strong web presence. Going into real estate I spoke with brokers from Coldwell and Prudential, I did not like the "corporate" atmosphere so I went with a boutique agency. The broker is amazing and the agency is progressive. I have very high expectations and have been pleasantly surprised. I have 9 active clients, ready, willing and able buyers, we just need to find the right home. It is a lot of work but I enjoy it immensly. I realize these results are not typical because my agency just throws you in there and you learn as you go along. I had a contract in 3 weeks of starting. Be open and you never know! Good luck!

[ginasands]

Get you a farm list from the title company. Pick an zip code and start branding yourself with either a newsletter or postcards. Within a month send as many mail pieces as you can afford to this list of from 100 - 4,000 residence.

do something different like sending a bag of popcorn.. just popping by to see if you need someone like me to help you sell your home or are you popping to buy a new one (smile).

Send a pencil and tell them. Use this pencil to write my name on your list of people to call if you need to buy or sell..... You might only want to start with 100 names but you get results pretty quickly. Within a month you can reach your clientbase x number of times.

[ResaleBroker]

Duncan once again has hit the nail square on the head.