Brick House

I have been reading blogs on owning your own office. My comment is it can work if everyone is on the same page and always willing to try new strategies. What I find is if your managers or partners are aloof or non progressive, unwilling to communicate then the office is doomed.
My advice is to hire and compensate a well rounded manager who wants to grow with your office. The big word is incentive-incentive to recruit,incentive to upgrade the office, to increase production.
To be an owner or manager in the wrong company is the most thankless and non productive job in the world. Your days will be filled with non productive activities that usually involve time wasting events.
The upside is you get to have some pleasure in seeing agents succeed and an office grow.
Remember one thing-do not stop producing and investing in real estate-count on no one to assist in your success.
Hire the right support cast and always have a business plan. Get on the same page on a daily basis and you have a chance to succeed and grow

High School Graduations

This week I had the opportunity to attend 2 local High School graduations. As I reflected on my own graduation in 1972 , I realized how things have changed. As the graduates quest for success moves forward it seems that times were more serious and focused than our time. I remember having no real goals at that time other than we knew we had to get jobs. Some went to college but the norm was work. It so seemed like a plentiful time for jobs, unlike today. College is an absolute necessity and the parents financial future continues. Tuition, books, living expenses, travel and spending money-soooo it brings me to a career in real estate. Why aren't we starting the recruiting process from High School. There is a lot to learn, easy to get an education and boundless opportunities to grow. In a few years, the graduates sphere of influence will be in the housing market and they are way more tech savvy than I am :) I wish them the best of luck in the world and for the ones that enlisted in the military - be safe.

Brick House

My start in the real estate business,as I think back, is still a reflection of my personality disorder to this day. At a ginger age of 18 I made a life changing decision to get married to my high school sweetheart. I clearly remember the salesperson to this day and I believe Dennis is still somewhere in the business. My new experience with a search for a house was getting frustrating to me. The agent showed us many homes and none on blocks I wanted. Hey I was from the neighborhood, hung on a corner and displayed my colors proudly. I just can't buy on someone else's turf. Geez all we did was fight one another so I had to be careful. The dude just didn't get it. Sooo I called off the search and decided I better learn what's up and enrolled in Community College. Hell, they wanted me to go to college anyway and I always had my hustle on so whats the big deal.
That's when it all started, my teacher was awesome and encouraged me to further my real estate education, what a great recruiter he was, as I think back. I worked almost 20 years for Charlie and still admire him.
Again the fight was on. I learned, I sold, I quit my 3 jobs and bought my own home and saved the commission. The Real Estate Warrior emerged. Thanks Dennis, never would have thought of it without you

The Real Estate Warrior

Since this is my first blog, I thought to myself, maybe I should relay some experiences in my world and business that would help identify me. I have found my aquarian character to be true to form. I believe that the experiences will assist in helping blog readers cope with everyday real estate life which translates into life's experiences. I decided that I am a true warrior as I put my armour on and prepare for battle everyday. This includes not only my real estate life but my spiritual one also. As I decide which direction a challenge will come I raise my hands like a street fight and start listening. Back in the day, I started swinging first then when they rose from the ground I listened but now I just listen first, that comes with age and no one can prepare you for what the real estate business brings on.They ask and teach-do you have a business plan? To that I respond-how the heck can you plan a real estate day-you start that drive to the office all up and positive then wham-the first street fight-where did this traffic come from, finally make it to the office-bam- I best pick up the beer bottles and food bags left by the door so clients don't think my office is a drive thru stop and go, great I made it in the door-sluggo-someone left the copier not working so I spend 20 minutes fixing that and and the last roll of toilet paper, have to run for that, God forbid. Bling-the phone , possibly a lead maybe Ill get a chance here-whoops-agent can't make it in running late-ok I'll watch the phones- now I can get my day started-blammo--mortgage guy called remember that great buyer whose committment is due today--we can't do that loan--ok an hour later thats resolved-- ok lunch time aww faggetaboutit- Ill just keep going--have a listing appointment - starting ducking-you owe how much and bought it when and the neighborhood got bad in 2 years awww finally another challenge sure I can solve your emotional and financial problems and in 6 months Ill get paid but glad to help (my aquarian side)Well I didn't get a black eye and still have to head to closing--my dear sweet seller 80 years old-if you try to hurt her-I am pulling out my big guns-no in an hour we hugged got her check-buyer elated-I got my commission and I finally drove home and there was no traffic-one last thing them 3 damn ducks in driveway move quickly outta my way-this time> hence The Real Estate Warrior