Realtor Chronicles: Life After Licensing
I used to think the hardest part of becoming a realtor was going through the licensing process. The classes weren’t hard for me because I was very much interested in the content. The testing itself warranted many sleepless nights. It was by the grace of God that I passed both licensing exams on the first try. I’m also thankful for my friends in real estate that coached me every step of the way to becoming a licensed agent.
After becoming licensed, I thought I would have a second to breathe before really diving into the field. Reality set in and instantly decisions had to be made. From deciding which brokerage to hang my license with, which association to join, how I wanted to brand myself, and simply how I wanted to announce my new career, I had no time to waste. I had left my corporate job back in March in the middle of a pandemic, and by May I was working as a realtor.
My days went from eight hours punching a clock to at least twelve hours learning to manage my time and meet goals. If I was unproductive, I had no one to blame but myself. Learning to manage my time would either make me or break me. I’m grateful to have had a solid savings account at this time. In addition to my living expenses, I now had to factor in brokerage fees, association fees, MLS fees, and a marketing budget. Though all of this was so overwhelming, the peace of mind I have now in this line of work is priceless. I no longer had to feel bad for taking time off to care for myself mentally or physically. My success is no longer determined by someone else’s metrics, but by my own definition. I find satisfaction in knowing that I help others to my standards of care. This life after licensing has not been easy, but every stride has been worth it.
