If you build homes for a living, would you be renting/living in an apartment? So how is this different from realtors who help people buy homes, while they themselves are renting an apartment?
I know buying a home is no easy task, especially in some geographic areas. To top it off, the real estate market is slow, which means less money for realtors.
You have to learn, understand and sometimes get creative. The more difficult it is to buy a home or investment property, the more creative you have to get. I'm on my third home in Westchester County and the only time I used my own money for a down payment is when I bought my first one back in 1991, which I put down $10,000.
I'm not going to bore you with the details of how I did this, but what's important to know is that I had to get creative in order to do this. For anyone who wants the details, please email me. I've since bought and sold many properties ranging from single unit condo's to a 28 unit multi-family property. Yes, there was quite a bit of creativeness going on with these properties as well.
The end result is that I have extensive experience in buying and selling properties, not just from a realtor's perspective but from a personal perspective. Now for the past year, I am an independent licensed real estate broker in New York State. Do you think I can help people buy homes and investment properties? Buyers that I work with know my experience and history, how do you think it makes them feel?
How do you want your clients to see you?
Peter,
Great post, and I agree. I am emailing you right now to chat!
Ray
Peter - great post.
You asked "How do you want your clients to see you?"
I think it is a fair assumption that most of the folks posting on AR generate an important percentage of their prospects and leads from the Internet. Does your business website and internet marketing plan reflect your specialty/niche, expertise and personal brand? If not, than many opportunities may not be realized. It is important that marketing does as good as a job as you would do representing yourself especially since in most cases it is a first impression.
Best wishes!
Peter - good observations.
It's amazing how many people will preach about real estate being a good investment and not have any actual investments to show for it. Your point that you know how a buyer purchases better is a valid point. Often enough realtors will not step in the shoes of buyers or sellers and not understand the issues they have finding the buy or sale.
Robert
Ray, thanks. I'll be happy to discuss further details with you.
IMNJ, thanks for your support and your added (and important input), great point.
Robert, you can definitely learn a lot by just being a realtor, but personal experiences are invaluable.