The Real Estate Agent of the Future

I read this on Wolkia a few days ago …

It sat in my browser for a few days, and then I went back to it and read it again. This paragraph in particular struck me:

Let’s face it, in some states it is easier to become a real estate agent than it is to become a hair dresser. Most real estate company’s hiring requirements only consist of a pulse and a real estate license. Continuing education requirements, while they mean well, do not provide the real education an agent should have. Electricians, plumbers….they are required to be a student of their trade for years before being permitted to venture out on their own. Where is the accountability in the real estate industry? Where is the education in the trade?

chalkboard This idea of a low barrier to entry in real estate has been thrown around for a long time. There are many that say it’s too easy to be a real estate agent, and that we lack the proper training. I happen to agree – I knew absolutely nothing of substance about real estate when I first got my license, and yet the Commonwealth of Virginia saw fit to grant me a license. It wasn’t until I got out into the field and started working with people, started seeing homes, started making some mistakes, that I really began to hone my craft. Getting the license was just like being accepted to college – each and every day since I’ve been in the classroom. Sometimes I pass, and sometimes I fail, but every day I should be learning.

Personally, I don’t think this idea of an evolving real estate industry is going to move so drastically in the direction of salary and benefits (although I’ve heard of some brokerages trying it); I believe in the idea of uncapped earnings because it seems to open up so much more creativity and determination, in my opinion. I do see things changing to be even less about the brokerage, or the agent, and more about the consumer. In the end, isn’t that what it’s all about anyway? What do you think?

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Tagged as: brokerage, future of real estate, Wolkia

Jeremy Hart
I read it all the time, Tina! Keep it up!

Tina in Virginia
Wow - thanks for reading the wolkia.com blog! what is frustrating for me is that there are agents with 20+ years in the business who have never been students of their trade - and then there are agents like you Jeremy, who take pride in their profession.

Matt
These past few years the market has become inundated with agents. Everyone saw an opportunity to make a quick buck...but, the idea was bigger than the ambition or perseverance. You can spot the agents that are ambitiously pursuing real estate as a passion, and you my friend are one of them - a rarity. Keep swimming against the tide brother.

Jeremy
Matt, I really appreciate that, I really do. I can get on my soapbox faster than some, that's for sure, but I take my profession very seriously because it's very important to my clients, and for that reason alone I need to be as sharp as I can be.

Seriously, I couldn't buy a better comment! Thank you!

Jeremy
Thanks An, for the comment. I'm sitting in a meeting right now, in fact, and we're talking about how quickly things can pass you buy if you're not wiling to educate yourself, by your own initiative. I might not like the process sometimes, but I need to always be looking for that opportunity.

An Bui, DocuSign Social Media
"Getting the license was just like being accepted to college - each and every day since I’ve been in the classroom. Sometimes I pass, and sometimes I fail, but every day I should be learning."

Wow. Learning leads to personal/professional growth. That willingness to learn is a characteristic that helps people adapt. Great points, Jeremy.

Jeremy
Thanks Ryan, I really appreciate that.

Ryan
"I do see things changing to be even less about the brokerage, or the agent, and more about the consumer. In the end, isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?"

And that, my friend, is why you will have longevity in an industry that many have speculated will go the way of the travel agent.