Test day!

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Today was the big day! "What?" you ask.. Let me explain. Today was the day I had to face my hardest challenge yet in my journey to become a real estate agent.

As I described in a previous post, in order for anyone to become a Realtor you must complete a 40 hour class, and pass the Michigan state exam. I had successfully completed the class, so the only thing left was taking the Michigan state exam.

I had heard that this exam was quite difficult, and it did not disappoint! Having finished the class I felt pretty confident, and completing a few practice exams helped immensely, but I knew this test was going to be tough.

The first 20 questions or so really made me sweat. Growing up, I always thought tests were out to get you, but this one actually was! Questions were purposely worded confusingly, but I was on top of it and I owned this test!
Of course I had to fill out a survey and sit around waiting before I found out whether I had wasted my time and money or if I had conquered this mountain. I was feeling good about the test, but at the same time my heart was pumping so hard waiting for my results. Then a giant screen flashed a big "YOU PASSED" and the stress was gone!

Whew! What a relief to know all my studying and hard work had paid off. I also have a pocket license to show for it, and of course they took my picture to put on the license and the big, cheesy grin proves how satisfied I was. Now I can officially work as a Michigan Real Estate agent.

Now it is time for more work. I have MORE training, and time to actually get my name out there and start helping people realize their dreams of home ownership.

Jimmy Gilley, Realtor
Cressy & Everett Real Estate

Pick Your Niche

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More Research

The more I research, the more I have to consider. One thing I have found, is that most Realtors are specialized in a specific area of real estate. Just selling homes isn't enough in my personal opinion, I want to pick a specific area and be the best in that area.

Pick Your Niche

Most Realtors focus their time and energy towards creating a niche for themselves, and becoming a master within that area of the field. The purpose of this is to create a competitive advantage against other local Realtors in the area. The biggest thing that has drawn my attention, and what actually brought me into the field is house flipping.

House Flipping

House flipping is the process of buying homes that are in disrepair, and turning them into nice, livable homes through repair and minor construction. Poor condition homes are bought under market value because of the bad state of the house, and with proper care can be sold for a profit.

This process has caught my eye. It sounds like it is an absolute blast to do, not to mention being rewarding to watch a house go from a disaster to a functional home.

My father in law and I have talked about doing this well before I even started looking at a career in real estate, but now that I will be in the market everyday I think this is a perfect time to get started.

What does It Mean?

More research! Plain and simple it will require many more hours of research. There are many pitfalls out there that can to eat up all our profits on the home.

Jimmy Gilley
Niles, Michigan

Michigan Realtor State Exam

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Study, study study


Since I have made the decision to join the ranks of the real estate agents in Michigan, I had to take a pre-licensing class.

This is normally a 40 hour class, but having taken it online, it took me closer to 60 hours to complete. Have you ever taken a law class? If not, then let me tell you what this is all about. You must absolutely love definitions, Latin terms, and funny word structures such as avulsion, qualified fee simple estate, and ad valorum tax.

It isn't too terribly difficult if you put your mind to it, and I just have the mindset that despite not being interesting, it is a necessary obligation.

What this means for you


I know I am sort of complaining about it, but understand that this is all for you. As a prospective agent, the state has me go through this to ensure that once licensed, I will know everything that I need to, in order to better serve your needs as a home buyer or seller.

Next step


Since I have completed the course and received a passing grade, it is now time to take my state exam. This is the next big challenge, being the only thing between me and my first big goal of becoming a full time real estate agent.

Making The Jump Into Real Estate

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Making a successful career change.

Despite the obvious risks involved, I have decided to make a giant career change. Not only is it a scary thing on its own, but I will also now be earning my wages based solely on commission!

I'm not sure what motivated me to make this career decision. It could very well be the lack of interest in my IT job, or maybe just the need to be challenged and grow more as an individual. The possibility for something new and exciting is always attractive, so maybe the latter.

Telling Your Friends


The first thing I get from my friends when I tell them I am going into real estate full time is "The Look". You know which look I am talking about. The look that usually gets reserved for "that guy" who always has to have the best story, and tries to sound cool. That's the look I get, but I'm discovering who my true friends are, as they have immediately stepped up to the plate and given me those couple of leads to help me get started.

As with any career or job change, you must, I repeat MUST absorb as much information as you possibly can. Learning doesn't stop in the class room either; if you want to be successful, you must learn as much as you possibly can. If you ever feel that you have "developed your system" then you have crested, and are already on your way back down. Refining your techniques and communication skills is an ongoing process, and a necessary principle if you desire to better serve customers that will ultimately return the favor by buying a home from you.

Current Stage


Right now I am merely trying to take-in all the details of this giant change. When I First became interested in real estate, I started asking questions of Realtor friends of mine, and then a local broker, just to see if I would want to do this, and what it would take. I went right to the top and spoke with the Realtor of the year and her employing broker! -Both top producers and holders of high honors for the state

Closing


This is the beginning of a very long journey that I hope to bring you along with. I desire that through my struggles and successes, you will see how amazing God is, and how he can turn an average guy like me into something great.

So strap in, and lets go for a ride! Many new adventures await as well as many lessons to be learned.

I will continue to update you and let you in on those lessons and secrets.

Jimmy Gilley
Niles Michigan


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