Your first year in real estate can get overwhelming quickly if you try to do everything at once. In this lesson, Cindy shares six common first-year mistakes to avoid, from putting off continuing education and worrying about every transaction to overloading your schedule, overspending on business tools, and falling behind on bookkeeping.
Watch the 8-minute video for practical advice that can help you build better habits now and set yourself up for a stronger second year.
Resources Mentioned in This Lesson
Field Guide
Cindy mentions the Real Estate With Cindy Field Guide as an additional resource for new and growing real estate agents.
Quick Summary
Your first year as a real estate agent is about more than closing transactions. It's also the time to establish habits and systems that will make your business easier to manage as you grow.
Pay attention to your continuing education requirements early instead of waiting until the deadline. When transactions become stressful, focus on doing your part, staying in communication, and asking your broker, team leader, or an experienced agent for help when you need it.
Protect your time, too. Real estate often means working when other people are off, so choose another day or time to step away and recharge. Be careful about taking on more buyers than you can serve well, because good follow-up and strong relationships matter more than simply staying busy.
Your first year is also a good time to review what you're spending on your business. Make sure the CRMs, tools, events, marketing items, and other expenses you're paying for are actually helping you work effectively.
Finally, keep your bookkeeping organized. Separate business finances, save receipts, track expenses and mileage, and work with your CPA on what applies to your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Start working on your required continuing education early instead of trying to complete it at the last minute.
- Don't let worry control your business. Follow the process, communicate, and ask experienced people for help when needed.
- Schedule time away from real estate so you can rest and stay effective.
- Don't take on more buyers than you can serve well and follow up with consistently.
- Review your business expenses and systems to make sure you're paying for tools you actually need.
- Keep business finances, receipts, mileage, and other records organized so you're prepared for bookkeeping and tax time.
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