21 Things I Wish My Broker had Told Me. How Come Nobody Likes Me?

[James Park]

After the unpopular and controversial thread  "Who is more unethical Realtors or used car salesmen?" I wanted to pull out an old book I had read the year before deciding to go into this business full time. I have scanned two pages from Chapter 12 in this book. Overall for any new real estate agents, I think this is a good book to read.

I am going to highlight several sentences from the book.

Page 91. "Long has spent years researching how agents got such dismal reputations. Invariably, she says, it starts with education, or lack thereof. " The bar of entry into real estate is low. The time it takes to get a license is linked directly to public perception that real estate agents are poorly educated," she believes.

In most states it takes 45-60 hours of prelicense school to get a license, and most states require only a handful of additional courses every few years to keep your license intact. Compare that with the years it takes to become a lawyer or doctor, or even an accountant, and you'll begin to see why people tend to look down their noses on real estate agents.

Either you'll be among those who will work to change the image of the industry or you'll shrug it off with a simple, "Why bother". I believe the agent/brokers on Bigger Pockets are among those who will work to change the image of the industry.

Being in this business full time, I realize that although your specialized knowledge and expertise is extremely important, what if even more important is your integrity if you want to last in this business. What I also realize is that an you will draw clients who are similar minded as yourself and who value you expertise and knowledge. If integrity is a strong value that you uphold, you will hope that your best clients will do the same. 

I believe that we as brokers/agents need to treat our profession with respect and grace. I believe that those of us in the real estate world who have done well should help others get started and improve their business lives.