Hi everyone,

I currently live in Western New York where I have been for about 12 years or so. I am about to move to Arizona and after much research...have decided to become an agent. I am doing it for many of the reasons that makes it such an attractive profession. I am sure that I will be great at it (for so many other reasons).

In an effort to stay brief, here is my question: Does anyone have any experience that they would be willing to share about entering a completely foreign market? I am not afraid of hard work and this endevour will be hard.

TIA,
Suzy

Wow....it's going to be really tough. I would recommend signing on as an assistant or a buyer's agent w/ a producing team or agent. Your biggest challenge (which is everyone's biggest challenge) will be getting leads. Focus on where you will get leads & how you will get hands on training.

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Eric Bramlett

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Austin Real Estate | Austin Texas Real Estate | Austin Condos

Suzy, Eric's advice is good. It will be hard learning the real estate business and the market on top of getting settled in personally. Being a buyer's agent at least initially will help you greatly ... the team and/or team leader will help you as there will be a vested interest in your success. Once you are more comfortable, you can always break away from the team if that is what you want. But in the meantime, you'll need to make some money too...right?! Best of luck!!

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Susan Zanzonico
Morristown NJ Real Estate
Chatham NJ Real Estate
Summit NJ Real Estate
Weichert, Realtors
Morris, Union and Essex County NJ Real Estate

I guess before you can talk to people about selling them you have to get yourself noticed, make sure people know who you are. I guess you should look for a good office in Arizona and work there

I have to agree with Eric and Susan. The toughest part of getting started in real estate is building your sphere of influence. Without already knowing lot of people (or any people) in a community you are already facing an uphill battle. The second biggest challenge that you will face is getting to know the area. Prospective buyers are counting on you to be their local expert. If you don't know all of the ins and outs of the area, you will have a very tough time impressing clients with your local knowledge.

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Ryan A. Martin - Windermere Real Estate / Whatcom Inc.

Your Bellingham real estate professional specializing in the listing and sales of Bellingham condos. Also check out my Anacortes real estate website for information about Fidalgo Island and Anacortes, WA

Sounds good. I guess the way I am planning it, is that I have 3 brothers who own and operate a landscaping business in AZ. Our mom drives a school bus, so she can write down all the FSBO for me, and I will be enrolling two small children in elementary/middle school. I figure it would certainly start me off with a decent SOI. (And the beginnings of a power team).

I'm heading there again in March (to look for my own house) and attend a real estate seminar at one of the biggest agencies in town.

Thanks everyone for your insight...I'm off to buy and study some maps!

Your welcome and keep us posted on how it's going

To be honest I have yet to see a new agent make it longer then 6 months before they realize this market is very tough here in AZ. Not saying you can't/won't do well but AZ is much different then NY obviously. I would recommend going with a top producer to learn ropes/ learn the area. What area of AZ are you moving to? You may want to learn a lot about short sales out here as those seem to be the only homes that sell as well as REO's. Good luck.

In what area of Arizona you're working AZAgent2 ?

Tucson mainly, and have been working on expanding to Phoenix