Second. I think that the Fall is the best time to start your career. The market is a little slower, you have time to ask questions and your broker and others have time to answer. You can network at all the holiday parties and talk to folks thinking about listing in the Spring. You can preview the market and really learn it while there’s less action and you are knowledgeable when the action comes in the Spring. The business I have now was planted long ago and I’m just beginning to harvest it.

For those only moderately interested in being a real estate agent right now, i would have to discourage them from joining the market in such turbulent times. Real estate has very low barriers to entry which is why during the most recent boom we saw such a huge growth in the number of licensed agents. Now that the market is in a serious downturn we are seeing a huge attrition rate among agents.

This is very good news for tough agents who are established in the market and for new agents who are determined to enter it. Fewer agents practicing in the market allows for participating agents to have extraordinary gains in market share. Also, in a downturn like we are currently in having less competition means that it is cheaper to operate and advertise your services.

So for agents participating in the real estate arena, now is the time to advertise and expand your footprint as an agent.

Excellent points. Thanks so much for sharing your own experiences as a real estate rookie. That is what I was looking for. As you know, I am a huge proponent of real estate education. So I agree with you that an agent should be a sponge and absorb everything they can. Again, I am all for a hybrid agent - old school and new school. Study what has and has not worked for others and then find what works for you.

I’m not sure where the place is but this is a good place to start - http://is.gd/8Hl

I’d be happy to get together w/ you if you have the time and have a toast celebrating your win in the Active Rain Video Contest. Maybe we can even do a video interview Cool? Have fun meeting Seth Godin!

Learn! Subscribe to all the top real estate blogs you can find (including this one - shameless plug), get on Trulia Voices (shameless plug v2.0) and get on Twitter (@RealtorLefebvre) and follow real estate pros who know the game. I’m trying to be a sponge and absorb anything and everything I can. Good and bad. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than yourself. In the beginning, that’s most everyone.

Web 2.0 tools are awesome! They’ve changed the business. Learn them. Use them. BUT (and this is a very big but, keep the jokes to yourself, Rudy) do not ignore the old-school methods of calling, pressing the flesh, direct mail (yes, old school with actual stamps), etc…a proper mix of old-school and new-school is the way to go (in the humble opinion of a self-proclaimed rookie yet to make a fortune in this business).

PS- Rudy where is the best Guinness in the Chelsea neighborhood? I will be looking for about 10-12 of them next week.

Hi Black Tie Todd! - Financial reserves are super important indeed. Basic tools are necessary, however, you still have to know how to use them efficiently. I’m always amazed at how many people didn’t really research the brokerages they work for. So I agree, please take the time to interview them. It’s a two way street you know

Hi Matt - Word! Online communication can only get you so far. Face time can really make things happen. It has for me….

Hi Ricardo! - Having a mentor is priceless. Two or three are even better

Hi Gainesville! - Slow markets teach you how to become a superstar. No order taking….I think the saying is, no pain, no gain. If you can weather the storm and make things happen, then chances are you will succeed. Either way. It takes a lot of work. No half steppin…….

The important thing in my opinion is “mentor-ship.” Todd Waller raises this point in saying that it’s a great idea to research the company you ultimately decide to work for. How does the office interact with one another? Yes I know each Agent is independent of the other and they all work for their own account so naturally it’s a competitive environment but…are you going to be awarded the opportunity to learn and grow? Remember, education is key! Though there’s competition in the office, I think you should be able to learn from your colleagues.