• Support
  • Advertise
  • Locations
  • Contact
Friday, February 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTERS
Dana Point Times
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide
    • Money Matters
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide
    • Money Matters
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who
No Result
View All Result
Dana Point Times
No Result
View All Result

The Real Estate Guru: Answering Housing Market Questions

by Dana Point Times
January 6, 2023 3:00AM
in Opinion Columns, SOAPBOX
The Real Estate Guru: Answering Housing Market Questions

Phil Immel

0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Phil Immel

By Phil Immel

Question: I am thinking about a career change. I’ve always been fascinated by real estate. I’m seriously considering becoming a real estate agent. What should I know?

Answer: You should always pursue your dreams and passions. During my more than 40 years of residential real estate, I’ve been fortunate to have numerous friends and family seek my career advice.

If you haven’t taken a career assessment online test lately, I would. Myers & Briggs does it for $50.

Selling homes looks easy and glamorous, especially if you watch TV shows. Sadly, I must report that reality TV is an oxymoron. Reality is different. Some people want to know more about the industry, even if they never sell real estate.

Some just want the education and financial knowledge for buying and selling their own homes or investing in real estate.

As with any career, there will be pros and cons. You should ask yourself the following questions to see if it’s the right career for you.

  1. Do you like people?
  2. Are you outgoing and social?
  3. Do you know a lot of people and how to create lead generation?
  4. Do you plan on working full-time or part-time?
  5. Are you entrepreneurial or prefer a normal structured job (9-5)?
  6. Do you have a strong work ethic?
  7. Do you have great tenacity?
  8. Are you a self-starter?
  9. Are you organized?
  10. Are you a quick study, and do you like to learn?
  11. Are you a good multi-tasker?
  12. Are you proficient at designing business plans and financial management?
  13. Do you have at least one year of savings in place to switch careers?
  14. Do you understand general business and global/national financial markets?
  15. Do you have a well-maintained car?
  16. Is your personal image and wardrobe professional looking?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you would be a good candidate for the industry. Real estate is a cyclical business with fluctuating income throughout amazing markets and slow markets. Income is inconsistent, and you must be a good saver to survive.

To pursue your career, the State of California requires that you be at least 18 years old. You must also complete courses on real estate practices, principals and one elective, such as real estate law. You must also pass the state exam of 150 questions and score 70% or more.

Studying for the exam can be done online or perhaps in a classroom. There are final exam prep books with a myriad of question answers to self-test. Additionally, there are weekend immersion classes presented by expert trainers. This process can take anywhere from three to six months.

Once you pass your exam, you must work for a real estate broker or brokerage company, licensed by the State of California.

In California, like most states, there are two levels of licenses. A salesperson license, which means you must work for a broker, and the highest-level license is a broker. A broker has much more experience and education and is responsible for supervising your activities.

You should also decide if you want to be a solo agent or work on a real estate team. In this market and the foreseeable years ahead, I would recommend joining a team.

Additionally, you need to join the local Board of Realtors and the MLS service. Total annual fees are approximately $2,000 a year.

The benefit of a team is lead generation, experience from a senior partner, and observing how other agents work and how transactions unfold.

Most of the successful team leaders will be retiring in the next decade. You may want to consider buying a practice that is already established and well-branded in town.

Have a real estate question? Email Phil Immel at phil@realestateguru.com. Visit realestateguru.com. The Guru has more than four decades of experience listing and selling homes in South Orange County. As a licensed real estate broker, Phil majored in Real Estate at San Diego State University and is also an expert in mortgage, title, escrow, appraisal and negotiations.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
Tags: Brokerbrokerage firmcareercareer changeDana PointhousingHousing MarkingOrange CountyReal Estatereal estate examReal Estate GururealtorssalespersonSan ClementeSan Juan Capistrano
ShareTweetPin

Dana Point Times

Related Posts

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Gray Whale Cow-Calf Pair Sighting Continue to Increase

Dana Wharf Whale Report: Gray Whale Cow-Calf Pair Sighting Continue to Increase

February 3, 2023
Dana Hills Students Get Unique Educational Experience with Dana Wharf Trip

Dana Hills Students Get Unique Educational Experience with Dana Wharf Trip

February 3, 2023
Capo Unified Trustees Take No Action on Controversial Charter School Proposal

OC Board of Education Approves New Capo Unified Charter School

February 3, 2023
Saying Goodbye to Pat Curren

Saying Goodbye to Pat Curren

February 3, 2023
Next Post
8th Annual AquaFest Promotes Boating Safety in DP Harbor

Editor's Pick: Stand Up to Trash Beach Cleanup and Lunch & Learn

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

DP Times Daily
Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

Subscriptions
Don’t get the DP Times delivered to your home? Subscribe today.

Advertising
Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Advertise with us.

Support Local Journalism
For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an “Insider” member and continue to get “Local News You Can Use” from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County.

Contribute today.

Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network.

  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Dana Point Times
  • San Clemente Times
  • The Capistrano Dispatch
  • DP Chamber Directory

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Sections
    • Eye On DP
    • Soapbox
      • Submit A Letter
    • Getting Out
    • DP Living
    • Sports & Outdoors
    • DP Surf
    • San Clemente Times
    • Capistrano Dispatch
  • Digital Edition
  • Best of DP
  • Legals & Classifieds
    • Locals Only Business Directory
    • Classified
    • Submit a Classified
    • Obituaries
    • Announcements
    • Legal & Public Notice Advertising
    • Legal Notices
  • Special Publications
    • A New You
    • Aging Well
    • Best of Dana Point
    • Crib to College
    • Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map
    • Dolphin Football Preview
    • Festival of Whales Event Guide
    • Go See Do
    • Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
    • Home Improvement Guide
    • Money Matters
    • Summer Camp Guide
    • The Green Issue
    • Turkey Trot Event Guide
  • DP Guide
  • Real Estate
    • South County Real Estate Guide
    • Real Estate – Who’s Who

© 2023 Picket Fence Media

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.