All Forum Posts by: Chris Isaacson

@Austin Mudd

Deric Lipski, Colton Lindsay and Kevin Ward are really good, I just watched several live calls and you can see how to overcome objections.

I started in real estate cold calling or calling "warm leads" (FSBO's, Expireds, Etc.). It works great I just studied and watched people make these calls on youtube and replicated what they did with my own twist.

The key is follow up and building a relationship, the call is just to get you in the door and gives you the opportunity to build on that. Every appointment I had or listing I took there were at least 10+ agents and investors you are competing with. Listen to their problems and find a solution.

A side note: have thick skin, people will not be looking forward to your call. However, at the end of the year you can look back and out of all the clients I closed that year I didn't know any of them and now most I consider friends/acquaintances and they have added to my sphere of influence.

The calls I made were for listings but investors were calling the same people and just used a different script.

I don't see this, a lot of buyers don't understand the process of purchasing a house or what to look for/what to avoid. When I first started I didn't realize how little people understand but you really have to break it down sometimes. If finding a house was the only role of a buyers agent then your point could be made but that is not the case.

I work with seller's primarily but I am still biased being an agent.

I pay $400 to have every listing professionally photographed, they come out phenomenal. My sellers are happy, buyers always compliment. It even drives in business through more buyer leads. An added perk is I can track how many people click through to the virtual tour.

Agents or sellers who don't pay for professional photography are stepping over dollars to pick up dimes IMO.

@Eugene Y. forgot to tag you to the post

Notice of your "supplemental" property tax bill, CAR form SPT

@Jerry Smith Like others have said to your last question, you do not save the seller anything. The full commission is paid to the listing agent if they bring the buyer, you "representing" yourself is considered the same. 

As far as getting access to the commission amount, you could become an agent or possibly ask your family/friend or whoever you know in the business but as I said above it is pointless. 

In my opinion usaa is terrible for mortgages and I never hear anything good about their loan process. Great insurance though. 

@Austin Davis Most brokers do not require office time, in fact we had a brokerage here get fined for having mandatory meetings which you can't do for independent contractors I guess. As far as classroom vs online classes it is really your preference as they don't pertain much to actually doing the job.

I would just say if your clients and other agents in the deal can't tell your part time then you are good. I have been in deals where the other agents are part time and never pick up their phone until they get off work or worst only on the weekends. It is terribly annoying to carry all the weight of a transaction to the closing table because the other agent won't do their job.

On the other hand I have worked with an agent a few times who does very well and is a pleasure to work with and I didn't realize until he told me one day that he is an accountant. Even full time agents are in appointments and meetings and can't respond every second so if your clients and other agents can't tell you have another job no harm, no foul.

@Matt H. I appreciate your input and respect your years of experience. That is exactly why I started this thread to hear from those with CA experience as well as out of state experience to hear their advice, opinions and regrets. 

Happy investing in your next 15 years!