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I am looking to start a career in real estate.. need advice.?

I have always been interested in working in sales, Ive done auto sales for a while and loved it, I am seriously considering being a real estate agent. I answered an add at century 21 and they replied with an invitation to a "career session" Is it legit, or are they pulling anyone off the street to suck the resources out of then drop em? Also, with the market the way it is right now.. is it a good idea as a begginer? I appreciate any input.

Public Comments

1. You're going to be in a very unpopular career because of the downturn in the real estate market. But if you want to be good at sales, and you like real estate, go for it. It's going to be tough to make a living, but if you make it, you're going to do well.
2. be prepared to make very little money your first year or two - it's all commissions and unless you know a lot of people ready to buy houses that will use you as a buyer's agent, you might not see your first commission check for many many months
3. Good career but be prepared for it is not a 100 yard dash but more like a marathon. You should have at least (a bare minimum) of 6 months financial reserve to cover your living expenses for very likely you will not see any income during that period of time. The reason a lot of real estate companies are now hiring is that a lot of seasoned agents are leaving for they can't make a living to support their families.
4. I agree with all of the above answers, but I have to add one more thing: REAL ESTATE SALES is very different from AUTO SALES. We have had several people in our Real Estate Office who have had a very difficult time making the transition. The difference seems to be that you will have precious few prospects walk in the door, and in recent years, fewer and fewer people call in answer to newspaper ads. They look on the internet for properties, and then select a sales agent. In Real Estate today, you have to reach out in some manner to get customers and generate business for yourself. They don't walk in the door. The larger your circle of contacts is, the better. Direct mail campaigns to areas that you target are also helpful. But you will find it to be a very different kind of selling than what you are used to. Suggestion; Take a Realtor that you know and who you know is successful to a long lunch and really talk about how to generate business on your own.
5. the national RE association stated 85% of RE agents do it pt/tm. suggest u keep ur full time job. the market will not support the RE it has now. sort of the Saving/loans melt down of the 80's. find a RE who was working then and apprentice under them.