Start Your Real Estate Career

by Mintzer, Rich

• ISBN13: 9781599180014
• ISBN10: 1599180014
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-07
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

Your Dream Job Awaits Real estate professionals are: MATCHMAKERS, finding people's dream homes and bringing a fresh start to their lives SALESPEOPLE, highlighting the best qualities of a house and helping people visualize themselves in a brand-new home EXPLORERS, scouring neighborhoods to scout out perfect properties DETECTIVES, examining the nooks and crannies of a house to determine its strengths and weaknesses ENTREPRENEURS, working for themselves, earning a lucrative living and connecting with customers If you dream of the high-stakes, high-energy world of real estate, you've come to the right place. Learn how to get started in a career as an agent, broker, property manager, appraiser or related profession. Insider secrets from industry professionals give you a competitive edge on finding job openings, writing your resume, landing the job and getting promoted.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Preface	xiii
Chapter 1 All About Real Estate	1	(18)
Profile: Susan Berman	1	(4)
History	5	(7)
Profile: RE/MAX	12	(2)
The Real Estate Market	14	(1)
The Industry Today	15	(4)
Chapter 2 Is Real Estate the Right Career for You?	19	(18)
Profile: John Galletta	19	(4)
How Do You Like to Spend Your Day?	23	(1)
Are You a People Person?	24	(1)
Is Research Your Thing?	25	(1)
Can You Sell?	26	(3)
How Do You Feel about Flexible Hours?	29	(1)
Are You Proactive?	30	(1)
What Skills and Abilities Do You Need?	31	(2)
Do You Have the "Real Estate" Personality?	33	(4)
Chapter 3 Training, Education, and Background	37	(22)
Profile: James Taylor Lott	37	(2)
Real Estate Courses: What to Expect	39	(1)
Your Licensing Exam	40	(3)
Ongoing Training	43	(1)
Finding the Right Real Estate Firm for You	43	(5)
Spending Money to Make Money	48	(2)
On-the-Job Training	50	(1)
Additional Training and Special Skills to Enhance Your Career	51	(8)
Chapter 4 Beyond an Agent: Other Real Estate Career Options	59	(18)
Profile: Jo Falcone	59	(2)
Real Estate Broker	61	(1)
Commercial Agents and Brokers	62	(3)
Real Estate Office Manager	65	(1)
Property Manager	66	(2)
Land Broker and Developer	68	(1)
Real Estate Appraiser	68	(2)
Urban Planner	70	(2)
Mortgage Broker	72	(1)
Researcher	73	(1)
Salaries	74	(3)
Chapter 5 What You Need to Know	77	(24)
Profile: Sandra Lippman	77	(2)
Selling Homes, Not Just Houses	79	(7)
Selling Businesses, Not Just Office or Retail Space	86	(2)
Know Your Neighborhood	88	(1)
Appraisals	89	(1)
Deeds, Titles, Permits, and other Documents	90	(1)
Real Estate Taxes	91	(1)
Down Payments and Mortgages	92	(3)
Closing Costs	95	(1)
The Future of Your Real Estate Market	96	(1)
Commissions	97	(1)
A Walk-Through of the Process of Selling a Property	98	(3)
Chapter 6 The Work Environment and Your Responsibilities	101	(22)
Profile: Nancy Ferri	101	(2)
Setting Up Your Office	103	(3)
Generating Leads	106	(5)
Floor Duty	111	(1)
Are You a Team Player?	111	(1)
Handling the Competition	112	(2)
Fiduciary Responsibility	114	(1)
Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance	115	(1)
Discrimination and Fair Housing Laws	115	(1)
Multiple Listing Service	116	(1)
Disclosures and Waivers	116	(1)
Virtual Tours	117	(1)
The Industry Open House	118	(1)
The Public Open House	118	(2)
Research	120	(3)
Chapter 7 Try Before You Buy	123	(14)
Profile: David Fischer	123	(2)
Internships and Part-Time Jobs	125	(4)
Mentors and Learning from Professionals	129	(5)
Professional Wisdom	134	(3)
Chapter 8 Getting Hired	137	(12)
Profile: Janet Brand	137	(1)
Evaluating Your Appropriate Experience and Skills	138	(1)
Hone Your Pre-Interview Skills	139	(1)
Study Real Estate Listings	140	(1)
Finding Your Niche	141	(1)
Finding Real Estate Job Openings	142	(1)
Acing the Interview	143	(6)
Chapter 9 Getting Ahead	149	(22)
Profile: Jean Warkala	149	(2)
How to Excel in Real Estate and Move to the Next Level	151	(17)
Using Timelines and Benchmarks to Keep Your Career on Track	168	(3)
Chapter 10 Opening Your Own Real Estate Office	171	(20)
Profile: Beverly Fairchild	171	(4)
Starting with a Business Plan	175	(1)
The Business Plan	176	(8)
Staffing	184	(2)
Franchises	186	(2)
Franchise Start-Up Costs	188	(1)
Buying an Established Real Estate Firm	189	(2)
Resources	191	(12)
Glossary	203	(10)
Index	213