Is it worth being in Real Estate sales?

Question

I've talked to a lot of people who found real estate too frustrating and decided to get out of the business. Others got tired of not having enough money for their regular needs. I have always wanted to have my own business and I even major in Entrepreneurship to learn more. I thought that I could start in real estate sales as my first business that isn't home based. Now, I am starting to wonder if I should just start a business on my own. I am driven but it just seems like a battle that I can't win. There are so many competing agents and I have no one in my sphere of influence. (Really NO ONE). I am just wondering if it would be in my best interest to start my own business while in school or would it benefit me to stay in real estate sales. I have a family ( husband and 6 year old son) My husband works but he is getting frustrated with me not making any sales. I've been in real estate only about a month. He just isn't as patient as I am or as he said he would be.

Answer 1

A month isn't long enough to judge. Six months to a year really is necessary.

I'm uncomfortable with the whole "sphere of influence" thing. I read so many postings from unhappy clients who are using an agent because the agent is their friend, relative, neighbor, or coworker. It's a great way to ruin a friendship.

Cultivate your own "sphere of influence" by farming and networking. That, too, takes time. But in that case you're selling yourself based on your being a real estate agent, not because you're someone's sister-in-law. And since you say you don't have a built-in sphere of influence, that's fine. Focus on farming and networking. And do other things agents do to get clients. Work the duty desk at your agency. Hold open houses for other agents. Check with your broker to see if you can advertise in-house listings from other agents. Maybe (though I hate it) cold-call expired listings. And I'm sure your broker will have other suggestions.

Hope that helps.