Comments on: Is Your Austin Realtor a Beta Test or a Production Version? http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/ Austin Real Estate Blog Fri, 11 May 2012 17:13:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Sam Chapman http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/#comment-5933 Sam Chapman Thu, 08 May 2008 13:52:34 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=446#comment-5933 Beta REALTOR vs cosmotology license requirements in Texas: In order to obtain a license in cosmetology or nail technology in the state of Texas, students must complete the requirements listed below. Please contact the Texas Cosmetology Commission for more information. Requirements COSMETOLOGY: 1500 hours ESTHETICS: 750 hours NAIL TECHNOLOGY: 600 hours HAIR BRAIDING: 35 hours HAIR WEAVING: 300 hours INSTRUCTOR: 750 hours Before applying for a real estate Salesperson License, an individual must first furnish the Commission satisfactory evidence of successfully completing the following education: Principles of Real Estate core real estate course [60 classroom hours] Law of Agency core real estate course (30 classroom hours) Law of Contracts core real estate course (30 classroom hours) An additional core real estate course (30 classroom hours) Another four semester (60 classroom) hours in core courses or in related courses acceptable to the Commission. Average price of a haircut - maybe $50. Average cost of a house in Austin in March, 2008 - $245,000. Now that is scary! Beta REALTOR vs cosmotology license requirements in Texas:

In order to obtain a license in cosmetology or nail technology in the state of Texas, students must complete the requirements listed below. Please contact the Texas Cosmetology Commission for more information.

Requirements
COSMETOLOGY: 1500 hours
ESTHETICS: 750 hours
NAIL TECHNOLOGY: 600 hours
HAIR BRAIDING: 35 hours
HAIR WEAVING: 300 hours
INSTRUCTOR: 750 hours

Before applying for a real estate Salesperson License, an individual must first furnish the Commission satisfactory evidence of successfully completing the following education:

Principles of Real Estate core real estate course [60 classroom hours]
Law of Agency core real estate course (30 classroom hours)
Law of Contracts core real estate course (30 classroom hours)
An additional core real estate course (30 classroom hours)
Another four semester (60 classroom) hours in core courses or in related courses acceptable to the Commission.

Average price of a haircut – maybe $50.
Average cost of a house in Austin in March, 2008 – $245,000.

Now that is scary!

]]> By: Steve Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/#comment-5154 Steve Crossland Mon, 05 May 2008 19:52:56 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=446#comment-5154 > Does it worry you a little bit that little Austin has the biggest real-estate office in the world? No, why would it worry me? We have no real estate "bubble". > this is why I like coming to your blog - you are very open to presenting the whole story Thanks, I appreciate your comment. The "mistake" I was referring to is more of a generic statement. If an agent can't be happy and succeed at the KW SW Market Center in Austin, I'm not sure where the greener grass lies. It's just my personal observation and opinion. Some agents blame the size of the office for them not doing well, when it's really other things more related to the effort they put worth. Steve > Does it worry you a little bit that little Austin has the biggest real-estate office in the world?

No, why would it worry me? We have no real estate “bubble”.

> this is why I like coming to your blog – you are very open to presenting the whole story

Thanks, I appreciate your comment.

The “mistake” I was referring to is more of a generic statement. If an agent can’t be happy and succeed at the KW SW Market Center in Austin, I’m not sure where the greener grass lies. It’s just my personal observation and opinion. Some agents blame the size of the office for them not doing well, when it’s really other things more related to the effort they put worth.

Steve

]]> By: Michael @ The Stage Coach http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/#comment-5127 Michael @ The Stage Coach Mon, 05 May 2008 17:43:28 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=446#comment-5127 Steve: this is why I like coming to your blog - you are very open to presenting the whole story, not just what benefits you. As the article started, I was anticipating a speech from a "company man". I am glad you pointed out that some people may fair better at a smaller Mom & Pop shop. Additionally, I would like to add that the definition of Successful should be measured in the eyes of the individual. I may have been extremely profitable as an IT reseller and made great money. But the stress and burden it put on our family would hardly qualify my tenure as Successful. Now that I am a self employed Stager, my pay checks are considerably smaller, but the hours are more flexible, the stress on our family is less, and every one is happier. My point is: Kudos to those who leave large shops to seek a smaller work enviroment - pursuing what will make your career Successful [to the individual] is a task many people never do. Lastly, Should it be considered a "mistake", as you put it, to follow a new path in your career? I don't think so - It's just Different Stroke for Different Folks. Steve:
this is why I like coming to your blog – you are very open to presenting the whole story, not just what benefits you. As the article started, I was anticipating a speech from a “company man”. I am glad you pointed out that some people may fair better at a smaller Mom & Pop shop.
Additionally, I would like to add that the definition of Successful should be measured in the eyes of the individual. I may have been extremely profitable as an IT reseller and made great money. But the stress and burden it put on our family would hardly qualify my tenure as Successful. Now that I am a self employed Stager, my pay checks are considerably smaller, but the hours are more flexible, the stress on our family is less, and every one is happier.
My point is: Kudos to those who leave large shops to seek a smaller work enviroment – pursuing what will make your career Successful [to the individual] is a task many people never do.
Lastly, Should it be considered a “mistake”, as you put it, to follow a new path in your career? I don’t think so – It’s just Different Stroke for Different Folks.

]]> By: anonymous http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/#comment-5108 anonymous Mon, 05 May 2008 14:40:59 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=446#comment-5108 Steve, Does it worry you a little bit that little Austin has the biggest real-estate office in the world? Sounds like the nonexistent Austin housing bubble is fully on in Austin. -Anon Steve,
Does it worry you a little bit that little Austin has the biggest real-estate office in the world? Sounds like the nonexistent Austin housing bubble is fully on in Austin.

-Anon

]]> By: Steve Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/#comment-4892 Steve Crossland Sun, 04 May 2008 18:53:52 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=446#comment-4892 Hi Jim, You asked: > So what’s a new agent supposed to do? I think there is more than one "right" way to break into the real estate business, but when a Newbie asks me, I tell them to come work for Keller Williams. The reasons are as follows: 1) Training, and lots of it. Six weeks out of the gate. Any new agent who goes through the basics is at least going to have a solid foundation to build on. 2) Help, and lots of it. Even the most experienced agents run into strange situations for the first time. It's nice having other agents, Corp Attorneys and Managers on staff who've "been there, done that" and can provide a quick answer to the question. 3) Listings, and lots of them. The fastest way to get started for a newbie is to get actual face time with buyers or sellers. Since KW in Austin dominates the market, there are plenty of well staged, vacant listings at which a Newbie can hold open house and start having real, actual conversations with prospective buyers. There is no faster way to get up and running that open houses. 4) Synergy, Energy - and lots of it. More nuanced, and less easy to measure, but one of the reasons Sylvia and I are at KW instead of on our own like we were for 11 years, is the "rubbing elbows" effect of being around and with other successful agents every day, hearing how they're doing, hearing their take on the market, trading stories, etc. A Newbie can capitalize on that as easy as a veteran. Anyway, that's how I see it. Starting with a Mom and Pop might work better for some though. We do have Newbies at our office (the largest real estate office in the WORLD by the way, with 750 agents at present) who feel lost in the shuffle and leave for a smaller company. I think they made a mistake in doing so, but the big busy office scene isn't a perfect fit for every individual. Steve Hi Jim,

You asked: > So what’s a new agent supposed to do?

I think there is more than one “right” way to break into the real estate business, but when a Newbie asks me, I tell them to come work for Keller Williams. The reasons are as follows:

1) Training, and lots of it.
Six weeks out of the gate. Any new agent who goes through the basics is at least going to have a solid foundation to build on.

2) Help, and lots of it.
Even the most experienced agents run into strange situations for the first time. It’s nice having other agents, Corp Attorneys and Managers on staff who’ve “been there, done that” and can provide a quick answer to the question.

3) Listings, and lots of them. The fastest way to get started for a newbie is to get actual face time with buyers or sellers. Since KW in Austin dominates the market, there are plenty of well staged, vacant listings at which a Newbie can hold open house and start having real, actual conversations with prospective buyers. There is no faster way to get up and running that open houses.

4) Synergy, Energy – and lots of it.
More nuanced, and less easy to measure, but one of the reasons Sylvia and I are at KW instead of on our own like we were for 11 years, is the “rubbing elbows” effect of being around and with other successful agents every day, hearing how they’re doing, hearing their take on the market, trading stories, etc. A Newbie can capitalize on that as easy as a veteran.

Anyway, that’s how I see it. Starting with a Mom and Pop might work better for some though. We do have Newbies at our office (the largest real estate office in the WORLD by the way, with 750 agents at present) who feel lost in the shuffle and leave for a smaller company. I think they made a mistake in doing so, but the big busy office scene isn’t a perfect fit for every individual.

Steve

]]> By: jim http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2008/05/03/is-you-austin-realtor-a-beta-test-or-a-production-version/#comment-4886 jim Sun, 04 May 2008 18:13:53 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=446#comment-4886 So what's a new agent supposed to do? You can gain experience without working a few deals, but no-one wants to work with you because you don't have experience. Maybe we should have mandatory apprentice period of a year or so. Just about every other trade like plumbing, electricians, AC, inspectors, etc.. seems to have that, but real estate doesn't. It would also weed out dumb part-time agents who are only in it to collect a commission for their friends. So what’s a new agent supposed to do? You can gain experience without working a few deals, but no-one wants to work with you because you don’t have experience.

Maybe we should have mandatory apprentice period of a year or so. Just about every other trade like plumbing, electricians, AC, inspectors, etc.. seems to have that, but real estate doesn’t. It would also weed out dumb part-time agents who are only in it to collect a commission for their friends.

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