need advice on sales

[fia214]

Hello I just received my RE License about two moths ago, I reside in CA (bay area.)

I have been a little hesitant to interview with a broker due to some of he issues going on with our economy and all,so I guess my question would be are things getting better with sales?

What kind of questions should I ask when interviewing and what kind of commissions are acceptable for new agents?

And if anyone is familiar with the Bay area where is a good place to start?
I pretty much know this area like the back of my hand so I'm flexible, I would love to work in Berkeley.

Oh one more question what would be a reputible company to start with, any references would be awsome.

[JJohnson1985]

I am not licensed so I have no clue on CA's laws. In Ohio though, you need to have a broker sponsor you before you can take the licensing exam. I guess it is different in CA.

It looks to me like you have tried to skip some steps in the process. I would suggest before spending money on your license, create a business plan and goals to achieve with that license. You need to know what you want to do and how you want to do it. This will help shape your questions to ask brokers, guided by what you need in a broker. If you don't know what you need, then asking questions may turn out to be a waste of time, for both parties.

Ask yourself this question. If you were listing a house tomorrow, do you know what to do? Some things you must learn by doing, but you need to have a good base to jump from. This base comes from knowledge, learning, and planing. Markets are local, so you need to know your market.

I would suggest starting here before jumping in. Just my opinion though.

[fia214]

California is different, we do not need a broker sponser before state testing. So my question really boils down o other experiences and what questions anyone might reccomend.

I have a plan of course, just looking for insight from other sales agents experiences.

Thanks

[JJohnson1985]

Search the site, here are a couple links..

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=3844&highlight=questions+brokers

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=3218&highlight=questions+brokers

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=1704&highlight=questions+brokers

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=7298&highlight=questions+brokers

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=2544&highlight=questions+brokers

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=6373&highlight=questions+brokers

http://www.realestateforum.com/showthread.php?t=4823&highlight=questions+brokers

Just a few to start with. Use the search function on the toolbar. You will find more valuable information than what I can provide.

[RobM]

California is different, we do not need a broker sponser before state testing. So my question really boils down o other experiences and what questions anyone might reccomend.

I have a plan of course, just looking for insight from other sales agents experiences.

Thanks

Same in Florida as well as MA (sell/sold in both states). The advice I would give you is find a broker that offers loads of training and the ability to join a team. This will give you the biggest benefit as a new agent

[carlam]

Training is very key when looking for an agency to hang your hat. It isn't all about commission (it will be there once you have the skills to obtain it). A good realestate company will offer great training programs that equip agents with the tools and skills to be the "agent of choice." Ask other agents in the office if they like the company and why.

[Mbeach]

I have to agree...

[ericbadgley]

Make sure that you ask about training. When you are new to the industry in a soft mark, its really important that you have great training recourses. Remax has great training options, you should interview with one you your area.

[portland real estate]

It's also really important that you relate well to your broker. If you can find someone willing to mentor you, then I've heard positive things about that as a way to get started. Other options for getting started include joining a team as a buyers agent, or working for a builder doing new home sales, though new home builders aren't as busy as they used to be, but nor is anyone for that matter.

[Dallas Broker]

this is a tough market to start up new real estate business, aside from current down market, it is difficult regardless of market conditions. As long as your are motivated to succeed and reach goals you set for yourself, you shouldn't have any problems.

it might be easier locating a smaller independent brokerage to start with that will provide you with a steady stream of leads. Find broker who is authority in your market and get started. If you find a broker who is able and willing to work with you, all you have to worry about is selling real estate and learning how to manage your new business which is much easier than spending 90% of your time trying to figure out how to generate leads. Once you get some experience under your belt and learn the ropes, you can consider other options.

[nancyarora2020]

Is it the right price for the property? Perhaps this is the question that keeps on creeping in people's mind ever since they make up their mind to buy or sell a property. It is quite necessary to spot the right price for making a successful real estate transaction but it is some how difficult . Neither any rule of thumb nor a scientific technique is there to help! So, how to get a good deal? People are advised to believe their own instinct but cautiously. Some things which one should keep in mind to reach the decent levels of property-valuation and deal are:


Good quality roads around and within the society add value to the property.
Value depends on the profile of the location where the property is situated.
Connectivity with bus depot, railway station and airport is equally important from buyer's point of view. In fact, property in vicinity to these facilities makes sound investment proposition.
People avoid locations that are closer or are known as riot prone area or communally polarized.
Not to mention, green surroundings, civic amenities like safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply and systematic drainage system are the first preferences of the buyer.
As valuation of property is a process, all the above discussed factors go hand in hand with perception of quality. For more view- realtydigest.blogspot.com

[RE Consulting Services]

Realtors across the country are all screaming about this terrible market but I gotta say that if you look around people are still buying homes and agents are still getting listings. The market is different than what it used to be... all things change and fluctuate but saying that the market is bad only puts a negative block in front of you that does nothing but assure yourself at a subconscious level that you will sell nothing. Spreading the word to others does the same thing... spreads the blockages. Let's all agree that the market is different and we need to approach it in a different way. I would not let anything stop you from getting into home sales if you want to do it. Especially not the market. When I got started, there was no internet, the MLS was in DOS and in code and we printed our listings out on dot matrix printers (you know where the pages are all attached and you have to pull the tabs off of the sides of the paper afterwards). Also interest rates were like 10%. Guess what? I sold three houses in my first three months and none of them to friends or family members or anyone else I knew beforehand. The key to success in our current market conditions is creativity. Thinking outside of the box and coming up with creative marketing strategies to get yourself out to the sellers and to get your listings out to the buyers and agents.

Training and support are paramount when looking for a new broker. Stay away from the big franchied companies with canned taining programs. They won't work in today's world and the companies have not changed their training to match current conditions. Go for the smaller guy that will spend one-on-one time with you and train you in the basics and allow room for creativity. Setting yourself apart will do wonders and really help you to be very successful regardless of market conditions. Hope I've answered some of your questions...

-Angela