Whether someone is looking for a change or has had the industry at heart for years, a career in real estate can be fruitful, rewarding and fun for people from all walks of life. We spoke to Lori McCarthy, chief broker of Latter & Blum Acadiana, about how to prepare for a career in real estate and what to expect in the job.
What type of training do real estate agents have?
Just like you need a driver’s license to drive a vehicle, you need a real estate license to work as a professional. To become an agent, you must complete a pre-licensing course. Several Louisiana schools offer this 90-hour course in in-person and virtual format. A standard course lasts from two to nine weeks. After someone completes the course, they must take and pass an exit exam. After the exit exam, they must take and pass their state licensing test.
What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate agent?
A real estate agent has completed their pre-licensing course and is licensed to sell real estate. A real estate agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors and must follow a strict code of ethics in conducting their business. Estate agents are held to a higher standard of dealing honestly with all parties. Realtors belong to a local or regional association and have high expectations for doing business professionally and ethically.
What skills or characteristics do successful agents share?
There is no one type of person who makes a good real estate agent. Both outgoing and more introverted people can thrive in the industry. The characteristics they have in common are honesty, integrity, a problem-solving mentality, self-motivation, great attention to detail, and an engaging personality. It is even better if they are interested in houses, architecture or interior design.
What are some of the daily duties of an agent?
Every day is a little different. The average agent spends their day in active, income-generating work and administrative duties. A typical day might include time in the office meeting with clients, staging or showing homes, talking to mortgage lenders and title attorneys, and scheduling inspections or appraisals. Other duties include lead generation, research, marketing, and keeping up to date with the latest facts and trends in the real estate market.
Can anyone make the transition to real estate after another career? If so, how can they succeed?
Real estate is often a second career for people. Many people get their real estate license because they are retired, can’t find a job in their chosen profession, or are interested in the industry.
The biggest challenges are for people who get their real estate license when they already have a full-time job. Real estate is not an 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. job, so agents must be available according to their clients’ schedules. If an agent has another job, it limits the number of people they can work with and can cause problems for other agents. Much of an agent’s job is time-sensitive, so they should be accessible as much as possible.
What type of ongoing training does Latter & Blum provide to its agents?
Latter & Blum is the leader in agent training. While a newly licensed agent has taken their course and passed their test, they need to learn more about the day-to-day side of the business. We have the “Latter To Success” program, which is a series of courses that covers working with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), understanding and writing contracts, mortgage and title services, new construction and more .
Latter & Blum also specializes in creating professional estate agents. We teach best practices and provide an environment where agents can ask questions. Our managers are also available at all times to help agents in situation and answer questions in order to help them make the best decisions.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in working in real estate?
It is important to be very well informed about our changing market. It is imperative that they receive ongoing training and keep abreast of the latest market trends so that they can serve their clients in the most professional manner possible.
Agents also need to realize that they are facilitators, not decision makers. Our buyers and sellers are 100% responsible for making all decisions. However, by working with a competent, ethical and professional real estate agent, he will receive the appropriate information and tools to make the best decisions.
Latter & Blum has local offices at 2000 Kaliste Saloom Road in Lafayette, 209 West Main Street in New Iberia and 220 Prescott Boulevard in Youngsville. For more information or to speak to an agent, visit www.latter-blum.com.