this is one of my favorite broker-agent books! this is isn't a whole bunch of laws, but real practical advice like marketing tips. also, some just remain agents or brokers, but i also suggest reading The Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Tax Lien and Tax Deed Auctions if you want to be an investor. you have something to gain by knowing your options.

This book is very practical and a must read for all people considering a career as a real estate professional. Specifly describes the expectations of new agents and what is needed to survive the first year in the profession.

Happy investing

This book was named the No. 1 classic "Must Read" by National Association of Realtors publication readers in June 2006. Working agents and longtime educators know how valuable this book is for new agents because of its honest, straightforward look at what they need to know to succeed. You will, too.

I have probably read a dozen or more books on being successful in sales and most have been a waste of time. These people that write these books and hold seminars rarely give you any worthwhile information. Remember, the way they actually GET successful is by selling everyone else their books and tapes on HOW to be successful. I have yet to find anyone who is truly successful at their business and has passed their secrets on to anyone else. Why would they? Then you would be their competition.

The best way to learn is to 1) go to additional real estate classes at your local real estate association or accredited real estate school (or take them online even if you are licensed) and/or 2) shadow a successful agent that is willing to become your mentor; and/or 3) sign on with a broker that holds training in the office (firms best known for their extensive training classes are Gary Greene, Coldwell Banker and Keller Williams (I am not employed with any of them)). Even if you don't plan to stay with that broker forever, at least stay on for a year to get as much training as possible. Forget wasting money on all of these ridiculous books.

This book is probably the most negative of all the business books I have read. It's very "glass is half empty" mentality. This guy that wrote this was obviously NEVER a salesperson, not a type-A personality and has very low self-esteem. If you ask me the guy is not the sharpest pencil in the box either. Here's a couple of lines from the book.....

1. I wish I had realized that the real estate business found me, I only thought I found it.
Comment: Gag! YES this is really the first item on the list. Why would my broker be telling me this and how does this help me again?

9. I wish I had been more realistic about the kind of strain my spouse and children would be under if I did the things I felt it would take to become successful...that I needed to take time out for them.
Comment: This obviously from someone who has NEVER been in sales. Real estate or any commission only sales position is for someone who is NOT the main breadwinner in the family as it takes a while to build a client base. Duh.

12. I wish I had realized sooner that the general public had such a low estimation of me and my profession...
Comment: Once again, someone who has never been a salesperson. Also, not at all always true. Some people may have a low opinion of real estate agents as a whole, but why would they have a low opinion of me personally? I have more self-esteem than the author. That's a statement from someone who has no confidence in themselves.

18. I wish I had a better perspective on what technology could do for me...
Comment: Okay, clue #1, when you are an independent contractor, you should own a home computer or lap top and a PDA, duh #2!


If you are in your first year of real estate:
1) Sign on with a broker that holds training classes (most do) and go to ALL of them.
2) Join your local area real estate association and attend all the free classes you possibly can attend. Example: Houston Association of Realtors has numerous free classes and the ones you pay for are maybe $25-$30.
3) Find a successful agent that you can "shadow" or one that will "mentor" you.
4) Take additional real estate classes at an accredited real estate school. Many instructors who are agents pass on lots of good real life real estate information. Get to know them and pick their brains.

Many of these things in this book are not things that your broker would discuss with you anyway. When entering any business, it's not even possible to tell someone EVERY single situation that might arise...you just have to learn some things by experience.

Reminds agents that they are self employed and need to promote themselves more than their agency.