All Forum Posts by: David Minishian

 My goal was to take the practice tests until I was scoring consistently 85-90% which is what I did.  If you can do that after 10-15 you will be fine, if it takes a few more then keep working at them.

Also, on the test I went through the first time and answered only the questions I knew for sure.  I then went through a 2nd time and picked up another 5-10 that I knew for sure after getting a 2nd read.  At that point I had already passed.  There was never a question that I didn't have narrowed down to 2 answers with a strong leaning towards one of the 2 (75%).

I also knew if I didn't pass I could retake in 18 days so there was no stress, the only downside of that is it's a 4 hour round trip drive for me to all the testing centers.

Be really clear on the brokers escrow account rules and types of deeds and estates.  A big focus was about being honest, don't hide anything, disclose etc.  They don't expect you to memorize every law/rule in those books, that's what books are for, to look up stuff you can't possibly remember!

I recently took the California test and passed.  I've posted this before, It's hard to tell another person exactly how to study for the test.  I did everything through Kaplan.  I started with the home courses then bought the practice tests for $50.  I did 10-15 practice tests, 500-700 questions then took the test.  IMO the real test was as easy or easier than the practice tests and some of the questions were almost exactly the same.  My best guess is I scored ~85% which means I over studied by 15%!.

I was never one to sit in class in college.  I preferred to read the notes a few minutes before the test and use my analytical skills to get er done.  If you were one that needed to study for hours on end for everything then ignore my post! The test really isn't difficult, don't stress over it.

Hi @Sarah Schlueter

Welcome to BP! You're in a great field where your ability to be successful and make a great living is limited only by your own desire to continue to push through obstacles and build upon your previous success.

There is about 1 agent for every 200 people in the L.A. area. Your competition is fierce so you need to figure out in time what your core value proposition is and where you can add value to the market where others just aren't cutting it.

Build Relationships, Build Business
My advice to all newcomers in the L.A. market is to focus first and foremost on networking and developing relationships. Success in this industry comes down to your ability to build a name for yourself by delivering great customer service and adding real value in specific niche.

Spend Wisely
Be smart about where you spend your marketing dollars, especially in the beginning. You won't be able to out-market or out-spend the professionals who have spent years branding themselves as the "expert" in their sub-market.

If you spend money, spent it on "active" marketing which gets your face, voice, and presence directly in front of people you may do business with.

Think Outside of the Box
Do the things that most people won't do. This means you should consider door-knocking and become comfortable with the rejection.

Be open to assistant positions and working on a team. Find ways to show the community that you truly care about delivering great value first and foremost before your own paycheck.

Most people see right through gimmicks and high-pressure sales tactics. Don't just be an agent; make yourself an essential element of your clients future success.

Earn More by Giving Back
Find ways to contribute give back to the community and be authentic about it. Not only will getting involved in the community open up pathways to developing relationships with homeowners and investors, it's a great to tap into the nuances of your micro-market that will give you a competitive advantage to other agents who try to do business in your area.

Don't Give Up Too Soon
Don't give up after a two years of grinding and spending thousands of dollars. MOST agents get a false sense of success in the beginning when they close their first couple of deals only to flounder for a year or two after and eventually give up when they realize that it's going to be much harder to actually create a sustaining and growing business.

Like any startup, there will be really high high's and really low low's. Keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Be humble. Learn from the pros.
Be humble and be willing to forgo your own ego in order to show the veterans that you are in this for the right reasons and that you're here for the long-run. This is going to lead to open house opportunities, co-listing opportunities and possibly, a buyer lead here and there to keep food on the table. Consider all of these opportunities blessings and seedlings you need to water in order to grow your own business.

Never. Stop. Learning.
Real estate is a broad and dynamic field that is constantly changing. You need to embrace the mentality of a student and continue invest in your education, both formal and hands-on, real-world (my preferred method) learning. This never ends.

If you aren't learning, you are stagnant and will quickly become irrelevant. Joining BP is a great sign you are on the right track.

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I hope this helps. I've made several new agent posts in the past if you look through my history - some of them offering more specific advice on marketing tactics. Feel free to reach out if you ever want to bounce off any ideas or concerns.