Today we have a very very special guest: Amanda Yates! We’re going to talk about what it’s like to be a new agent.

Amanda is doing so well, she has 8 sales down now, in less than a year; which is an amazing job! Though Amanda was recommended to get into real estate before, it was only when she and her husband bought their first home and saw what a killer job their agent did, that she decided to take the big jump. She wanted to help people with real estate.

She worked 9-5 in a bank as an accountant before. She felt drained and wanted a change!

There are 4 personalities in real estate: expressive, driver, amiable, and analytical. What’s nice about real estate is that there is a type for everyone.

How were the first few months like? She first thought it was going to be a service job and hadn’t realized how many practicalities she would have to deal with everyday and how many people are actually involved with it.

Did she ever have second thoughts about being into real estate? The first few months were very exciting, though felt very ‘ADD’; You are trying to take it all in but it’s not until you get to practice all the theory you’ve been absorbing that things start to make sense. And she had her first transaction within 30 days!

What emotional challenges were caused from these second thoughts? They talk about the ‘real estate roller coaster’. It’s super exciting to close the first deal but, unless you treat it like a business, you’re going to go up and down the first couple months.

Was there ever a ‘ah-ha’ moment, when things ‘clicked’? Yes! They recently went to club wealth and she got to network with a ton of successful people; Seeing how people talked about Mike with so much respect, hearing it from other people too, was such an eye opener! Also sitting down with people that are like-minded and really getting to talk to them and realizing how well Mike’s training had prepared her was an important moment for her; She realized she had to treat real estate like a business. For example, when she now walks into a room, she’s picking up personalities!

Now that she has her feet really wet, based on her personality style, if she had to pick three things that she will be doing for the next year, what will it be?  Because of her bubbly personality, she loves open houses. She also loves door knocking and will be picking up farming.

Does she wish she had done more/less training or was it just right to see the world of real estate, fast in 8 months?

She looks back and doesn’t regret the training. She has to remind herself to go back and re-absorb some of what she learned in the past.

How does she feel about the online leads? She has closed around 4-5 deals through online leads. So her call reluctance is down and she has come to realize that, as long as she keeps the mindset that she is here to help, so business will come!

If Mike gave her a time machine and brought her back 10 months: What does she think she would have done differently? She would have been to the office with more consistency.

Going from a full time job and a steady paycheck to fully commision based is terrifying! What made her jump the lead? She had an awesome broker that told her she could do it and the support of her husband!  

Family. She’s been with her husband for 8 years. Her lifestyle and ever her own self has changed so much ever since she entered the business. Especially in the first months, it doesn’t take much for a relationship to get on the fence. The words: “maybe you should get a real job” can come up very fast. So you have to be strong when you get into real estate and keep a health balance between your personal and business life. And know your relationship and your partner. Real estate agents have the biggest divorce rate from each industry!

Some relationship advice? Remember to be fully ‘there’ and give your attention to your partner, when you decide to spend time together; Put your phone away and focus on what they say! You also have to learn to keep the stress of the day at the office. Use your team to keep you in your lane and when you are home, be home!

Mike recommends to only share success with spouses. Cry in the shower only. And then your spouse will be more supportive.

How’s her scheduling improved over time? In the corporate world, schedules are planned out to the minute while, in real estate, there is no schedule! Mike’s perfect daily schedule has helped Amanda discipline herself, though she is not going to micromanage herself neither.

Another skillset she has developed is the one of cultivating relationships and network; Wherever she goes, she takes the time to positively connect with the people around her and culture a connection with them. Talking to people 25/ day is simple, even if you’re typing back and forth through social media, this is still a contact you’re talking to!

Being on a team. Amanda was first reluctant to join a team, and was even first thinking of joining someone else’s team. Eventually, Mike convinced her to join his. Amanda’s advice is, if you think of joining a team, have upfront, in writing, how much your splits are going to be, so that you don’t get blindsided later on, once you get your check. However, understanding how much work and people are involved to make each transaction happen, the access that a team gives, and how much more business comes through, made Amanda realize what an amazing asset a team can be to further her career.

If you think you can spend thousands and thousands of dollars, a month, on overhead, that’s fine, but here’s what you have to ask yourself: I can go buy Mike’s market plan and what he wants to spend money on or I can do what I want to spend money on. And this is where the decision making is coming on.

So Amanda is now part of a team; What are some of the real feelings she’s gone through? She has learned to pay attention to the general energy and attitude of people when she says she is part of Mike Bjorkman’s team. How do the people of the community feel about it? What’s their body language and personality? If the personalities don’t match, it’s not going to work out. Accountability is also another huge element to look for and develop with your team members.

Would she rather join someone’s team because they will produce tons of leads, or would she rather be with someone who can teach her? It’s hard for her to say because she gets both from Mike’s team! Training is however huge as well as networking. If people don’t know your name, they’re not going to take your offer.

Final thoughts? The first year is going to be overwhelming and you’ll have to learn the business as quickly as possible or have a support team to help you. Having support is really big. Amanda is also a strong believer of Mike’s ‘law of attraction’; This whole year she had this mentality of trying to break even, which was a very low goal. She has now re-evaluated her goals and has even written them all over the place to visualize them! Her goal now is 40 transactions. It’s making sure that you are a well rounded individual.

Amanda can be reached at: amanda@santaclaritarealestate.com  (805) 794-8328