Real Truth Real Estate

  The real estate market over the past few years has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. Let’s take a trip back to the pandemic era—2020. At the start, everything froze. Contracts were withdrawn by buyers, sellers refused to let anyone into their houses, and everyone believed the market was going to collapse. Then the opposite happened. One of the craziest seller's markets ever witnessed occurred! Properties were selling for thousands more than the listed price, often with ten or more offers, and people were ignoring inspections as though that was a reasonable course of action! Then 2021 arrived, bringing with it more of the same craze mixed with supply chain problems that made fresh builds an aggravating process. Rising costs and first-time buyers? Yeah, best of luck. People who had been saving for years suddenly found they couldn’t compete with the all-cash offers from out-of-state buyers looking to escape major cities. Fast forward to 2022, and guess what? Interest rates sho...

  The debate between working in a team versus operating as an independent broker is a longstanding one in real estate. Although each strategy has advantages, there is more and more evidence to support the advantages of being an independent broker. One of the greatest advantages of independence is autonomy. As an independent broker, you control your own schedule, choose your own clients, and have the freedom to execute your business strategies without the pressure of team consensus. This flexibility is essential for agents who are self-driven and want to build their brand on their own terms. As an independent broker, internal disputes, which frequently occur in team contexts, about leads, commission shares, or the course of the company are absent. Rather, you are free to choose if you want to reinvest every dollar you make as an independent agent into expanding your company. In terms of finances, independent brokers have much greater earning potential. Independent brokers can negoti...

 This past year has been a large step for myself and my career. At this time last year, I was a junior in college taking 4 classes each semester. Because I transferred, it was my first year at a 4-year university so there were a lot of new changes. I had an apartment and new roommates, I was back in person for classes, and I was far away from my family and hometown friends. Throughout the year, I adapted and did my best to succeed. I really enjoyed all of my classes and the material I was learning really clicked for me. Once I finished my second semester last year, I finally got to move home for the summer. During a hair appointment, funny enough, I was put in touch with a designated managing broker. This is when my career in real estate really started to develop. I met with the broker and asked for an internship opportunity with her brokerage and to my surprise, she took me up on it. At first, I began working on helping agents with their marketing aspects. I created posts, along w...

 After getting your license and when starting your career, there are many steps you have to take. This article gives a great outline of key steps for newly licensed Illinois real estate agents. After passing the exam, agents must find a brokerage with a managing broker who acts as a mentor and business coach. This step is very important for guidance and mentorship in the craziness of the real estate world. Finding someone you feel comfortable learning from is going to take you further than you would imagine. Building and nurturing a network is also crucial for long-term success, as well as taking advantage of training and professional development opportunities. Whether this is building relationships with coworkers, clients, or local business owners, this will lead to success in the long run for your career as well. Furthermore, a strong marketing strategy is essential, particularly early in a real estate career, and working with a brokerage that offers support in these areas can si...

Ryan Serhant, one of the most recognized names in real estate, has become a benchmark of success for many aspiring agents. Best known for his role in Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York , Serhant has built an empire that goes beyond just selling houmes. He's built a brand that is synonymous with luxury and hustle. Serhant entered the industry in 2008, during one of the most challenging periods for the housing market. Despite the market's collapse, he managed to carve out a niche for himself, using his people skills and relentless work ethic to build a name from scratch. One of the key characteristics that sets Ryan Serhant apart is his resilience. He didn't shy away from challenges but embraced them. Starting in real estate during a market downturn taught him how to adapt, strategize, and constantly learn from every deal, whether successful or not. He is also known for his hustle mentality--he emphasizes the importance of showing up, doing the work, and going above ...

 1. Creating a personal brand for myself - Your personal brand means a lot. It is the way people perceive you, the things they hear about you, and it will ultimately affect your clientele. Soon enough, it will be time for me to think about how I would like to market myself and my real estate services. Right now, I would like my brand to be professional, detail-oriented, and welcoming. I want to give clients the help they need in a stress free, efficient manner. I want them to feel comfortable with the process through every step. Good communication also plays a big factor into this as well. I hope to listen and understand my client's goals while also effectively delivering info in a timely manner. This will build your client's trust and make them feel more at ease.  2. Study the market - I know I will need to keep a close eye on the market so that I can stay as updated as possible. This will help me stay in the know as well as my clients getting the most effective information....

 Currently, I am a senior in college. This is my first semester of senior year and second semester is approaching quickly. Soon into second semester, the big graduation will be looming. I will be graduating school for the last time, and moving into the real world. At this very point next year, I will not be going back to college like some of my friends will. It really is scary and exciting at the same time. Taking a look at this year ahead of me, I am very hopeful that I will achieve some big things. Right now, I am working on my 75-hour pre-license real estate courses. Before graduation in May, I plan on completing these courses as well as preparing for my state and national exams. Either before graduation or soon after, I want to take my exams to secure my Illinois Real Estate License. However, I predict that I may have to take the test a few times. Most agents that I have met have had to take the test a few times before they passed. The first time or two gives you a feel for the...