Since 1991, when I first got licensed in Real Estate, I was taught that doing the right thing for your client was the sure path to future success as a real estate broker. And, the broker who taught me this was a short stocky former Gold Gloves boxer from Brooklyn, NY -- who happened to move to Southern California in the early 1950's and earned his California broker's license.
And, in the years that followed, I found him to be one of the hardest working real estate brokers I have ever met. And, I have since worked for a variety of real estate firms since first getting my license.
Anyway, after he past away, and I moved from Southern California to Las Vegas, I interviewed with a several real estate brokers and notably one very large national real estate firm. The managing partner at the time said that since I didn't have enough listings, I was unable to join them. (It has been revealed to me through the years that he was actually a pompous ass and not going to work for him was the best end result for me.)
So, he rejected me. I was denied joining this large national real estate firm because I didn't have 'enough listings. Oh, well.
I subsequently went to work for a former Century 21 franchisee. That led to working for another regional commercial real estate firm, who in the six years I spent there, I discovered first hand that partners stealing commissions from the Associates was the norm.
Unfortunately, the other partners were not very good business men. They decided to reward this arrogant nat a 100% contract without a desk cost. (Stupid? Of, course.)
And, since he was the #1 sales person for the firm, he was given all the up calls -- so he could decide whether or not they were worth his time to pursue. (I eventually was told, that, that also included sign calls.)
I was never so glad to vacate a firm as fast as I did. I now wish I had seen the rocks in the shallow water ahead that that ship was heading toward. (They have since gone out of business.)
So, after being denied a partner position at that firm, and because the arrogant ass didn't like me, I moved on -- for a short time -- to another national franchised firm, then a "supposed" real estate firm that "specialized in gaming properties;" to finally just hanging my broker's license all by myself.
Yet, for some reason, most -- if not all -- of my clients stayed with me.
So, through all this. one constant has remained and that is that this one particular National Real Estate firm doesn't like co-operating with other brokers.
Why? Well, I think it is because they work in teams. And, since there is very little commission left for the team to split after the national firm takes their share, splitting half with another broker, leaves the team less money.
Recently, I had a listing meeting with a local boutique hotel owner who was under the impression that listing with this national real estate firm would enable him to have 6,000+ agents worldwide trying to sell his property.
After several minutes of explaining how this firm truly works, the owner decided to NOT list.
(He did say he would pay me a 2% fee if I brought him a buyer.)
Anyway, the best thing I think that ever happened to me was when a client specifically flew to Las Vegas -- once I had my own company opened -- to have lunch with me.
During lunch, he said: "You are our guy here in Nevada!"
I said, "Thank You. But, what made you think that about me?"
He replied, "Because I think you are the baseball player who when he hits a grounder to short, you hustle your ass off trying to beat the throw to first base."
I know for a fact that this client has never regretted his assessment of me and my work ethic in his interpretation of success.
Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes
And, in the years that followed, I found him to be one of the hardest working real estate brokers I have ever met. And, I have since worked for a variety of real estate firms since first getting my license.
Anyway, after he past away, and I moved from Southern California to Las Vegas, I interviewed with a several real estate brokers and notably one very large national real estate firm. The managing partner at the time said that since I didn't have enough listings, I was unable to join them. (It has been revealed to me through the years that he was actually a pompous ass and not going to work for him was the best end result for me.)
So, he rejected me. I was denied joining this large national real estate firm because I didn't have 'enough listings. Oh, well.
I subsequently went to work for a former Century 21 franchisee. That led to working for another regional commercial real estate firm, who in the six years I spent there, I discovered first hand that partners stealing commissions from the Associates was the norm.
Unfortunately, the other partners were not very good business men. They decided to reward this arrogant nat a 100% contract without a desk cost. (Stupid? Of, course.)
And, since he was the #1 sales person for the firm, he was given all the up calls -- so he could decide whether or not they were worth his time to pursue. (I eventually was told, that, that also included sign calls.)
I was never so glad to vacate a firm as fast as I did. I now wish I had seen the rocks in the shallow water ahead that that ship was heading toward. (They have since gone out of business.)
So, after being denied a partner position at that firm, and because the arrogant ass didn't like me, I moved on -- for a short time -- to another national franchised firm, then a "supposed" real estate firm that "specialized in gaming properties;" to finally just hanging my broker's license all by myself.
Yet, for some reason, most -- if not all -- of my clients stayed with me.
So, through all this. one constant has remained and that is that this one particular National Real Estate firm doesn't like co-operating with other brokers.
Why? Well, I think it is because they work in teams. And, since there is very little commission left for the team to split after the national firm takes their share, splitting half with another broker, leaves the team less money.
Recently, I had a listing meeting with a local boutique hotel owner who was under the impression that listing with this national real estate firm would enable him to have 6,000+ agents worldwide trying to sell his property.
After several minutes of explaining how this firm truly works, the owner decided to NOT list.
(He did say he would pay me a 2% fee if I brought him a buyer.)
Anyway, the best thing I think that ever happened to me was when a client specifically flew to Las Vegas -- once I had my own company opened -- to have lunch with me.
During lunch, he said: "You are our guy here in Nevada!"
I said, "Thank You. But, what made you think that about me?"
He replied, "Because I think you are the baseball player who when he hits a grounder to short, you hustle your ass off trying to beat the throw to first base."
I know for a fact that this client has never regretted his assessment of me and my work ethic in his interpretation of success.
Contacting David Howes is easy -- either by: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR call him at: 70 25 01 93 88 AND Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes
