One year following the launch of Inman’s The Basics newsletter, our weekly dispatch of must-reads for new agents, we’ll spend the month of August digging deeper into what it takes to survive against the odds as a new agent in a tough market.
Being the new kid — whether you’re in the classroom or at the office — is rarely fun. There’s so much to learn, from names to processes and procedures. While you want to put your best foot forward, it’s almost inevitable that at some point you’ll say or do the wrong thing and end up feeling totally embarassed.
Listen, there’s nothing to feel bad about. We’ve all done it. So we wanted to know: What was your biggest rookie mistake ever? Did you over-promise or under-deliver (or both)? Did you screw up a contract or lose a valued client? Were you carried away by your enthusiasm or did you fail to act boldly enough? Most importantly, what did you learn in the process?
- My rookie year, I took a listing. Seller lived across the street from the property that was being sold. Visited seller repeatedly and would cross the street to go check on the home with her. Foundation work needed to be done; got three companies’ bids. Reviewed the bids with her and decided on which to go with. Standing in the middle of the street, I handed her the contract to sign with pen on a clipboard. She had an arthritic hand attack and asked me to initial the contract for her because writing hurt so bad. I signed for her (I KNOW) and then allowed the company to do all repairs and use her water/electricity. At closing, she refused to pay the $6,000 bill from proceeds because “She didn’t sign the contract.” Got sued by the foundation company, and it was decided agent/seller split the bill. That was a $2500 (E/O portion) lesson that no one’s hand hurts that bad. Scribble here.
- Twenty-two years ago, when I was a rookie, I left my local office at the end of the day without relaying my office calls to my cell phone. A potential client I was talking to earlier in the week called and left a voicemail on the office phone that they wanted to write an offer right away for a two-flat property and since they couldn’t reach me, had another Realtor take care of it. I will never forget that I lost out because I forgot to set up that call transfer. Of course, today that will not happen but always get back to your contacts right away if they’re looking for you.
- I worked very, very hard to get my first listing. Was up against multiple competitors. So when I won it, I wanted to impress. The owner left the key under a rock for me to go and take pictures for the listing. He had moved already to a town about 35 minutes away. In the process of taking pictures, I inadvertently locked myself and the photographer out of the house! I had to swallow my pride and call him to drive up and let me in. Lucky for me he found it all entertaining, but it was not the way I wanted to start with my very first listing.
Now it’s your turn! Tell us about your rookie mistakes in the comments.
