As a kid who went to a university that primarily focused on science and engineering, that didn’t even have a business program at the time, I have no idea why I went there to study marketing.  As it turns out, it was one of the best decisions of my life.  It was in college that I met some of my closest friends and found out that I wanted to become a Realtor.

I graduated college with my B.A. in Communications, but didn’t really know what to do with it.  So…I started working in the pharmacology department of a local biotech company (that makes sense right?).  As obscure as it was, I’m glad I took the opportunity, as I got to do and learn a lot of things that I never would have seen myself doing.  At the same time, I began working as a personal trainer while I tried to figure out the “real world.”

To make a long story short, my college girlfriend’s father introduced me to real estate and is ultimately responsible for getting me into the industry.

Anxious to get my career on the way, I studied (took the exam) for my real estate salesperson license and interviewed with several brokers.  I chose to go with Prudential California Realty, because they seemed to offer the most training for a new agent and they were (and still are) the biggest name in real estate, here in San Diego. 

New to the business, I took part in Prudential’s mentoring program.  The office I joined required new agents to attend “class” four days a week, one hour per class.  As newbies, our mentors (the assistant manager and another well established agent) taught us everything.  We went over the Residential Purchase Agreement and how to fill it out, we role played, practiced scripts…you name it, we did it.

We were required to stay in the mentoring program until we completed our first three transactions.  The nice thing about this, was that there was a cross section of agents learning together – brand new ones, agents who were on their final deal and of course our experienced mentors.

By the time I “graduated,” I could fill out a contract upside down, identify what type of personality you had and make sure you signed in at my open house. 

In addition to the office mentoring program, Prudential requires new agents to complete a series of training classes that covers a wide variety of topics – how to hold an open house, why to use a buyer–broker agreement, how to overcome objections, how to farm a neighborhood, etc.  This was nice because we were exposed to several agents, even our CEO, with different styles and techniques. 

After completing all my training, I was about six months into my real estate career and was off and running.  Ironically, I was amazed at how little many of the agents I came across knew (then again, it was 2004 and everyone was a Realtor in San Diego).  Apparently they didn’t get the same training as I did. 

At the age of 24, single and now making way more than I ever had, I found being your own boss to be a bit difficult at times.  Since Realtors are independent contractors, we don’t have to work if we don’t want to.  There’s no supervisor checking in with you and you don’t have to worry about saving your sick days – you only get paid when you close a deal!

I found out that this was both great and scary.  Wanting to learn more about the industry and be exposed to more people, events and opportunities, I joined the Scott~Finn & Associates team and became part of the Downtown San Diego market.

Being a part of one of San Diego’s top teams, I was quickly exposed to what I often imagine my future to be like – high end properties, tons of listing appointments, client appreciation events, customized marketing campaigns…it was a lot to take in.  I quickly learned our inventory and tried to give the impression that I knew what I was doing.

I was taught how to use Top Producer and how to manage my database, how to make a business plan and how to manage my time (but I’m still working on all of this).  I think what I value most about being on this team, are the lessons I’ve learned, simply from watching and listening to the lead agents, Raye Scott and Francine Finn.  Hearing what they say to their clients, seeing what they do to prepare for appointments and learning how they’ve dealt with specific issues has been a huge advantage.  I guess you could relate it to a Minor Leaguer practicing with the Pros – if you’re around and practice with the big boys long enough, you get better and eventually, just maybe, you can get better than them. 

For me, being part of a great team and a professional company has been an integral part of my career.  And while I tend to wing it by nature, I do believe in having a strong foundation.   I have attended Tom Ferry and Brian Buffini events, among others, but I’ll save that for another post.  Now I have to make sure my 4 year renewal is taken care of.