After teaching career, new agent seeks work

Q: I am a retired teacher, and I got my real estate license eight months ago. If my memory is correct, you wrote about new agents being like a new broom; they sweep clean. I’d like to use that quote as a reason for why people should consider hiring me, even though I don’t have extensive experience.

I’m enjoying learning about real estate, but struggling to get leads. I’m taking as many classes as I can to enhance my knowledge base. — Bob

A:

Didn’t I say teachers often go into real estate? Over the years, I myself have taught everything from nursery school to college. I don’t remember specifically mentioning brooms. There’s no rule about whether a newbie or an experienced veteran is preferable as a real estate agent. It does come down to the individual. I see you’ve joined a large company, so you must be getting formal sales training there. In the days when I had a real estate license, I used to phone all for-sale-by-owner classified ads in my preferred areas every Monday evening and say: “Good luck, and if any questions come up while you’re trying, feel free to give me a ring. I’ll be glad to help, no obligation. I like talking real estate.” Which was true.

It did make friends for me and brought enough listings to keep me busy. I’m sure you will be soon. My husband, who was a Realtor, used to ask new agents if they understood it would probably be many months before they’d see a commission check. Hang in there.

Q: Your column was very helpful when I sold my mother’s house a few years back. As you have always suggested, I interviewed three agents.

There were pluses and minuses to each one, but one thing to look out for is the agent who comes in with a very low price. One particular agent suggested we set the price at $110,000, and he had many suggestions on things to fix in the house. We sold the house for $145,000 within a month.

The difference in commission would not matter much to him, but the difference in selling price made a great difference to my mother. — J. V.

A: Thanks for sharing. Agents are legally supposed to be fiduciaries, required to put the client’s interest ahead of their own. I assume the other two agents recommended more realistic listing prices. Those suggestions on things to fix up, though, may have been valuable.

Q: Two siblings and their spouses each inherited one quarter of a waterfront property with a present evaluation of $500,000.

Couple A has two children, while couple B has one. Upon the deaths of the primary owners, the property will be owned by their three children with couple B’s child owning a 50 percent share. This is a northeastern U.S. property, where ideal usage is June, July and August, and the next best months are May, September and October. The children are arguing over usage with one of couple A’s children, stating that he will be staying each year for the full June, July, August stretch. Should this situation be resolved in the wills of couples A and B? — X. X.

A:

I suggest pulling up the internet to find local trained mediators. One might well help your family reach a peaceful resolution about how to share use of that summer residence.