Established.comfortable??

[hawwk11]

?... For you experienced realtors, when do you get to the point to where you know that you are comfortable enough to live off of being a real estste agent as a full time job like buying a home, car, supporting a family, etc? I have always wondered how does one feel comfotable enough to buy anything and not go nuts thinking if they will be able to pay for a mortgage payment every month.

When do you know you are established? How do you know that you will make nice steady money to have piece of mind?

Im not the least bit matierialistic but i always see real estste agents driving some really really nice expensive cars, so i cant help but think that they must make some pretty good money.

As long as i can make good money and be happy im sure i will love it because i really love people and i think that helping people get a home would make me feel great, but of course i want to be able to eat as well.

Thanks,

[kensmith]

The market can turn in a heart beat...actually it has 3500 less transaction in the first 5 moths compared to '05 at our board. I have seen agents that have 20+ years experience leave the business as things have gotten to tight for some agents.

With all of that said agents have to do what works for them and decide when they are comfortable as it's different for every agent.

BTW, many agents are broke as they live WAY above their means to have that flashy car, nice cloths, big house....kind of like 95% of America.

[hawwk11]

Gotcha Ken, I especially like the part about everyone living above their means. I really appreciate all of the feedback.The market can turn in a heart beat...actually it has 3500 less transaction in the first 5 moths compared to '05 at our board. I have seen agents that have 20+ years experience leave the business as things have gotten to tight for some agents.

With all of that said agents have to do what works for them and decide when they are comfortable as it's different for every agent.

BTW, many agents are broke as they live WAY above their means to have that flashy car, nice cloths, big house....kind of like 95% of America.

[HomeSurfer]

Not all agents make a living at real estate. Some do. You just know you can do it and are doing it, and that generally takes at least two years.

Even then, later on some of the good ones just "burn out" and have to find soemthing else to do.

[kensmith]

Even then, later on some of the good ones just "burn out" and have to find soemthing else to do.

or they refuse to change with the times...currently that would be not using e-mail, no web site, and not advertising their listings online.

Wonder what it will be 20 years from now that changes so drasticly that I either have to change or get out?

[teamgreene]

Perhaps the new wave of the future will be a return to the original values that made agents great to begin with....ie, skill at selling homes and caring about the customer. Seems some have departed with those basic principles.

[543LISTguy]

My broker told me up front that the first 2 years would be tough but that if i made it through that i would be ok. Just finished my second year and and i think she was right.