As I reflect on my first 10 days as a Realtor, I could give you a long story about the events that occurred in that short span of time. Or, I could simply give you a selection of random thoughts from those 10 days and let you make of them what you will. Think back to your first 10 days as a Realtor.
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
“I need gas.”
“The active key works for quite a while on one charge.”
“The active key doesn’t work at all if you don’t remember to bring it.”
“I need gas again.”
“I knew this was the house for them.”
“Until I saw this one.”
“Their top two was also my top two. Thank the Lord we click.”
“Is this the third house with same floor plan?”
“Oh Snap! There’s someone asleep in there!”
“The German Shepherd in the backyard is nice? I’ll take your word for it.”
“Ok, He does look kind of puppyish, although he’s big enough to stand up and look in the kitchen window.”
“You’re interested in talking to me about listing your house for 3%? At least the buyer’s agent will get paid.”
“Who came up with that number anyway?”
“Most listings say they’ll leave the oven, microwave, and dishwasher… but there’s just something about that refrigerator. Wouldn’t it be the hardest one to take with you?”
“Sometimes a GPS just needs a re-do.”
Within those first 10 days, I’ve been blessed to be backed by an awesome broker, meet some really great buyers, and submit an offer in a short time. That’s not to say everyday has gone by without small trials – most of which I’ve brought upon myself. I find myself forgetting this, forgetting that, and learning every day that I’m obviously the type who needs to write things down because mental reminders just aren’t getting the job done.
Were your first 10 days a breeze or did you drop the ball a time or two? Did things always go as planned or did you have to improvise? What did you do to fix your blunders?
Now fast forward to today. How have things changed? When did you have the processes and tasks nailed down to a point where you didn’t have to think about it, but just do it?
I’m sure I’ll make mistakes as I go, but I’ll learn from them and keep it moving! For now, I’ll learn from you as you tell me if you can identify with my first 10 days in the comments. Go!
Ruthmarie Hicks
April 22, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I’m amazed you found clients to work with. I came into the business in late 2005. Did not have any sphere to speak of (well – not quite true -they were all scientists like me – POOR, out-sourced – and not buying anything.) In any case – at least where I was every new agent was shell-shocked at the total dearth of leads. Everyone I bumped into either had an agent or had a specific agent in mind.
As for those early experiences once I got out with people. I can definitely relate. Particularly to needing gas…I was amazed at how much gas working with buyers guzzled. For a while I only had ONE client. Until I added up my miles and did my taxes, I did not realize that I had driven 760 miles in an effort to find this one couple a home. Unfortunately, they bought from a FSBO and left me out of the transaction. I realized when I saw the mileage that something had to change. Since that time, I’ve tried to develop a sense of who is a time-waster and abuser. I miss some, but I spot the vast majority before it gets out of control.
BawldGuy
April 22, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Being ‘belly-to-belly’ with as many folks who can tell ya to go to hell as possible, is how you’re gonna make it. Sounds like you’re doin’ just that. Good job, Michael.
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Thanks! As long as I keep at it and you keep checking in we’ll get things done! haha I appreciate your support BawldGuy.
Lisa Sanderson
April 22, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I was pregnant my first 10 days in the business, but my lessons might still be relevant to you: carry snacks in the car, leave plenty of time for naps, and never refuse business from people because you think they may just feel sorry for you! What more do you need to know? 🙂
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Man, that snacks tip is a good idea! haha. My wife is currently pregnant and if I compare my first 10 days to yours, I’m afraid I could get in trouble…
Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you around.
Lea
April 22, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I am a real estate journalist and wish there were more articles like this doing the rounds. People seem to have a perception that selling property is childs play. Little do they know! Well done for surviving the first ten days. Good luck for the next ten years.
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Thanks Lea! It’s an experience but I’m blessed to say it could have been worse!
Benn Rosales
April 22, 2010 at 5:58 pm
#1 rule of fight club: learn to text msg yourself reminders
#2 rule of fight club: put a sticky note on your car visor to check text reminders
#3 rule of fight club: check text reminders
🙂 Great job, you’re busy being busy with real busy…
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Haha. That’s awesome. I honestly sometimes feel like texting myself. I even thought about texting a reminder for myself to my wife. She’d be confused but at least I’d have a reminder and it’d be kind of funny.
Nah, If I do that I’ll just text myself. Thanks for stopping by AG!
Matt Stigliano
April 22, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Michael – Don’t know if you’re a coffee drinker, but I remember “white shirt in a rush – leave the coffee down while driving.”
Didn’t help it was boiling hot and very humid…it was also my first showing. I was late because I had to drive back a few blocks and change.
Gas? Oh yeah – I think that way too often.
Love this post man, this “brings me back.” One day, you’ll be moved from the new agent perspective to other writing and if Benn and Lani decide to continue the tradition, you will die laughing when you read the new guy’s posts. It all sounds so familiar.
Congratulations on the offer as well!
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Haha. I’ve been fortunate not to spill anything yet.
I’m glad you can relate to my posts. It’s nice to know you guys aren’t too experienced to remember when you were there! The craziest moment might have been showing a house and opening a bedroom door to finding a sleeping person. Haha. A heads up would have been cool on that one.
Erica Ramus
April 22, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Congratulations on surviving. Many members of the public think our jobs are just opening doors and showing houses. It’s easy, right? Just pick one! Sold!
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
April 22, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Michael, I know I”ll sound like a “proud mother” bragging about her child, but since you ARE my “rookie”, let me tell you how very proud I am of the way you handled your first 10 days as a Realtor.
What you did right: Everything. I said “go” and you “went”. No questions asked, smile on your face and off into the wild you wandered. So you forgot your key…lesson learned and you won’t do that again, lol. THAT is exactly how you will learn. Getting a few bumps and bruises along the way. Loved the comment above about getting “belly to belly” with folks. You have done just that.
Some could call it luck that you did sell a home your first week. I call it pure talent on your end. You were very transparent with your buyers and knew when to cry for help. They are thrilled with the way you handled yourself and couldn’t be any happier! You listened and delivered. THAT is what makes it happen 🙂
You knocked on more FSBO’s doors than all the agents combined did all year in our office. And to think they are shocked that these sellers are calling YOU.
You have “it” and are on your way to a successful career in Real Estate. I”m so proud of you!
Now…did I mention what you must do your next 10 days? LOL..see you tomorrow for more boot camp instructions! Drop and give me 50 🙂
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Coop! What would I do without being able to say “Hmm, Let me ask Elizabeth.” Haha. Everyone in that office is luck to have you and this is just the beginning dog!
Stephanie Villani
April 22, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Great article and congratulations on writing a contract so soon! It took me months to write the first one. And I love Benn’s #1 rule; I will definitely be texting myself reminders.
Michael Bertoldi
April 22, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Thanks Stephanie! Benn’s comments was awesome indeed.
Ken Brand
April 24, 2010 at 7:03 am
Yeah, that’s the way – Contact > Conversation > Connection > Discovery > Share/Serve > Get Chosen/Recommended. The right actions and activities + your obviously attractive approach and perspective = Boo-Yah.
Congrats, rock on!
Jeremy
April 24, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Congrats Mike……selling is a numbers game. You will get better and sell more homes as time progresses.
Karen Goodman
May 2, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I’ve got a tip for you. I used to work with an agent who kept forgetting his Supra key on the recharger at work. He solved the problem by always leaving his car keys with the supra when it was charging. And yes, there were a few times that he made it all the way to his car before he realized he didn’t have his keys. But he never forgot the lockbox key again!
Good luck as you get started. It’s the little things that trip you up the most, but in a few months, it will all seem so much easier.
Heather
May 14, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hey Michael, Just caught this article and wow, I feel special to be the buyers in this article! lol I’m sure we are just breaking you in, before you know it you may keep kid snacks in your car or even get a dvd player to keep them quiet! That, or build up a tolerance to the shrieks of a 2 year old… 🙂 And as far as the “Sleeping Child”, you couldn’t go to that many houses without SOMETHING happening! It’s good to work with you!!!
Michael Bertoldi
May 14, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Wow. How cool of a client are you Heather? Coming over to AG and dropping a line. You guys are awesome and I’m blessed that my first deal was with such a great family!
Heather
May 14, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Hey, no problem! I’ll help market you as a great Realtor out there! 🙂 I’ll have to add you on Facebook and talk you up there too. And maybe every house you show won’t have a friendly “puppy doggy” lol.
Joan Lorberbaum Moore
May 14, 2010 at 11:23 pm
A contract? In 10 days? Wow!!! As I recall it took me months. Nice blog post and I look forward to reading more from you.