Careers

Real Estate Careers: What is it?

It's a career in Real Estate.

This is not a job; you cannot think like an employee and succeed in this career. Employees think and act in terms of TIME. On their job, they know that if they show up, are somewhat productive, and put in their time they get to retire. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, think and act in terms of goals. Their success is not a function of time; it is a function of hitting their GOALS. They set their goals. They decide the income/outcome. And they are in charge of their life. For them, a Career is a Business. They own it. They manage it. They receive all the benefits. A Real Estate Career is not a job. It is a business. You become a licensed professional in control of your own business. At Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate, our product is the service and expertise we provide our clients, it is not the home they bought or sold.

You Must Have a Real Estate License

This business is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which requires that you pass the 75-hour salesperson course to qualify for your licensing exam. Once you complete that course, you can take the test and become a licensed real estate agent. If you do not have a license now, that is alright—we will show you how to get one.

What can you expect in your first year?

The first year is the most difficult in a real estate agent's career. You are starting both LEARNING and DOING the business. The challenge is to keep the vision and faith strong while working in the beginning stage with little to no income. This is a business based on commissions. And if you sold a house the first day you received your sales license, it would take approximately six weeks before receiving your FIRST commission check! Initially, you actually have two jobs: Your first job is to create the business, and your second job is to service the business you create. And in the beginning you are learning HOW to do both of these feats simultaneously. It takes skills and courage to start your own business. It also takes some time. That is why you need some residual income to back you up while working to get your business up and running. The turnover rate is about 80 percent mortality for real estate agents in the first 24 months. The reason for this high turnover is usually because the agent was undercapitalized and unprepared for what to expect in getting started. That is why you must have all the facts upfront to prepare yourself to get across the bumps in the road.

Real Estate Careers: Why Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate?

• A reputation for the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
• Management works with agents work as a  "team" to serve the needs of consumers.
• The power of an international network that has been built on a strong foundation of local management and a tradition of excellence.
• You can be proud to be part of the Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate team of outstanding real estate professionals.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING and continuing education help you achieve peak performance.

Coldwell Banker University features over 100 courses designed for new and experienced agents covering Financial Planning, CRBN and CRS Certification, GRA Credit, Marketing Skills, Legal Issues, Communications, Business Development, Relocation and Referrals, Presentation Skills and much more.

Outstanding promotional and prospecting TOOLS generate more leads, more sales.

• Professionally pre-designed brochures, mailing pieces, postcards, farming tools and other aids eliminate design costs.
• Personalized materials and videos for maximum sales impact.
• The Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate seller services we offer gives you a competitive edge with an integrated series of advanced marketing and listing tools.
• The Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate Buyer Service tools turn more prospects into satisfied buyers and loyal repeat customers and help ensure a successful transaction - before and after the sale.
• Broad internet exposure, plus listings on the Coldwell Banker websites attract buyers globally.
• Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate provides unparalleled tools and distinctive materials for upper-tier listings. Designed to reach the buyers and sellers of exceptional properties.

Coldwell Banker invests millions of dollars each year in ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.

• Recognized nationally among consumers as one of the best-known and respected names in real estate.
• A vast network of over 100,000 sales associates in 40 Countries worldwide.
• $234 BILLION in sales volume in 2023.
• #1 MOST VISITED real estate brand online according to the Comscore 2023 Media Trends.
• Named the #1 real estate advertising for 12 years running by ACE Metrix.
• Over 100 years of experience and stability.

Technology Tools

Technology is not going to put real estate professionals out of business. However, it will eventually put those agents without technology out of business! So what do you need? There is no excuse not to get on board with current technology.

Real Estate Careers: Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I know if this kind of work is for me?
Answer: That is a common question. In general, you should always find the kind of work in which you can get excited. Selling is a very emotional business. You have to believe in your product and its benefits for your clients. If you can get excited about it, usually you can sell it! Also you need a vision for where you want to go in life; and be able to see how this business vehicle is going to help take you there. You have lots of freedom and flexibility in this career. That can be either a blessing or a curse depending on how strong you are in being self-disciplined with your time in the face of a lot of competing demands placed on you by others. Go to the section: How Winners Think for a better idea of the ideal profile of a good real estate agent.

Question: How do I know if I qualify for this work?
Answer: The financial resources necessary to get started is estimated at around $1,400. In the financial staying power you also need some savings to meet expenses while you are in real estate school and learning and implementing your business. Thus, they need a capital reserve of around three months of living expenses. You also need to be willing to make a strong commitment to this career as a business to see you through the ups and downs that any new business will experience.

Question: How do I get paid?
Answer: This is a commission-driven business. When you sell a house, you/we get paid a commission. Our commissions are usually paid the same day the money arrives. There is no limit to the number of commissions you can generate a month!

Question: How do I choose a real estate company?
Answer: For new agents, you should use three main criteria in selecting a real estate company: First, you need lots of training. So select an office based on the training and support they offer. Next, you will need support systems to help you grow your business. So ensure the office manager does not sell and compete against his or her agents. Check out the extent of the administrative staff and what they will do for you to help you grow your business. And finally, choose a company that has a strong national image with the type of advertising to maintain the BRAND designed to maintain market share. You also want to be in an office environment where you are working with full-time professional agents with lots of sales taking place daily! We are proud to say Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate is on the top for all of these.

For More Information Contact

Mike Staton, Designated Managing Broker
(217) 317-0023 Cell
(217) 258-4663 Mattoon
(217) 348-0191 Charleston