40+ Years - WOW!
- Nov 09, 2013 ArchiveLast month, at a banquet, the National Association of Realtors® through the local association of Realtors®, awarded a group of about 40-50 Realtors® the status of REALTOR® EMERITUS for a cumulative of 40 years of membership in the National Association of Realtors®. As I look at that certificate while in my office today, it makes me ask a question, what does it take for one to stay in the business with all the highs, lows, and hurdles of running a real estate business.
When I decide to go into the real estate business, I did not go into the business with the thought of, let's see if I like this or not, I went into the business with the thought of, this was the business I was going to be in for the rest of my life.
One needs to have a strong desire to succeed and the willingness to put in whatever effort one can to make the business work. One needs to enjoy going to work each day, with excitement and enthusiasm. Another area of necessity is to understand and realize that you cant make your business successful on your own; one needs a dedicated, loyal staff that are excited about making the business successful too.
Over the years, I found that real estate offers an enormous amount of opportunities. Most think going into real estate is just selling real estate, but it offers so much more. For me, I have been involved in property management, sales and, of course, a real estate school. All three areas can give one the opportunity to reach their individual goals.
BUT what many people entering the real estate profession miss is the important aspect of investing themselves in real estate, as one should not just think about receiving a commission. As we all know, real estate has its ups and downs. Over my 40+ years in the business, we started purchasing real estate homes years ago. One thing I learned early is to not get upset if a tenant doesnt keep the property in the way one would want the property kept, real estate is just brick and mortar, but as your tenant helps pay down the loan and property appreciation comes into play, you are in the long haul building net worth.
So in summary, over 40 years there are certainly highs and lows, challenges, and personal disappointments, but if one loves the challenges and opportunities that real estate provides, one can find this business a very rewarding field.
Thank you all, who have worked for our company and the many customers and students who have been so kind to be a part of our success. I thank you!!
Frank Cooke