Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting many new agents as they started their career in real estate.  Sadly, statistics tell us that most new real estate agents don't make it.  Usually, the new agent shows up at the office fresh from everything they've learned at real estate school and spends the first few days getting their workspace organized.  Usually, somewhere in the afternoon on their second day the coins drop -- you can almost hear the question they are asking themselves -- Where is my Business Going to Come From? 

Real estate school doesn't really teach you how to obtain business in real estate, it simply prepares you for what you need to do when you land the client and are writing the contract.  Some brokers have training, but it usually just brushes the surface and gets you pumped up.  Rarely, you find a training course that gets to the meat of the issue, but you've really hit the jackpot when you can watch and learn from someone who is an expert in the practice of real estate. 

I am simply offering you the opportunity to learn from someone who does this -- and has made a career of the business of real estate.  I want to teach you that this is a business and that you should treat it as such.  I want you to understand why some people earn an extraordinary income and others fail.  Wouldn't you be more successful if you knew exactly what you needed to do at the beginning of your career and could avoid the pitfalls?

I am constantly asked by other agents and individuals considering becoming agents to share my insight and make specific recommendations on licensing, training, accreditations and other issues newer agents face.  So, I have decided to make an effort to bring these individuals together for consultation.  It gives me the efficiency of scheduling everyone at the same time and it gives you the ability to learn and network from other newer agents. 

What's in it for me?  Well, I do believe that we all have an obligation to help bring through the next generation of real estate agents.  I am also constantly looking for new talent for my own real estate team, Tonia Mann and Associates.  I would love the opportunity to sponsor new agents all over the United States and grow my Keller Williams Family.  Our interaction will be a huge Win/Win for both of us. 

Come back frequently as we will keep posting the next Meetup on this page.  You can also look at "Learn About a Career in Real Estate" at www.Meetup.com. Meanwhile, the first question I usually get is about licensing so read below and start exploring your options for licensing.

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First, you will need to obtain your Georgia Real Estate License.  See the Useful Links Section and talk to several different schools.  Find out which has the schedule that is the best fit for your needs.  All the schools offer the ability to take the real estate course online should you desire to do so.

Next, you'll need to think about a broker.  You do not have to know which broker you want to hold your license with when you begin real estate school, but I would recommend interviewing with several while you are completing your coursework.  This way, you will know who you want to place your license with when you go to take your state licensing exam. 

I have worked with Northside Realty which was acquired by Coldwell Banker NRT.  Both companies were a great fit for me at the time, but ultimately, I outgrew them.  After interviewing with Remax and Keller Williams, I found my real estate home with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners.  While Keller Williams was a great fit financially, the training and culture were very appealing aspects that I did not see with the other real estate companies I talked with.  I am now truly running my own business and building my own brand. 

You should consider how you want to organize your real estate business.  Do you want to be an independent agent -- a one agent show?  Would you like to be a buyers' agent working for a large team?  Tonia Mann and Associates is a good example of a large agent team.  We offer buyer associates -- many times these are new agents -- the opportunity to work for us, learn from us, and receive leads from us.  Essentially, you are mentored by an entire group of people with more experience who are already successful in the business.  Tonia Mann and Associates is always looking for new talent -- if becoming a buyer associate interests you please call our office at 678-268-3300 to learn how to submit a resume and schedule an interview.

If being your own boss is appealing, you don't have to give up the opportunity for mentorship.  If you decide to join Keller Williams Realty and name Tonia Mann as your sponsor, I will meet with you once a month to help you develop a business plan for success and provide accountability.  This is one advantage that Keller Williams offers, through sponsorship each of us takes a special interest in those that come after us -- in making them the best agents they can be.  Contact our office at 678-268-3300 to learn how Tonia Mann can sponsor you.  We work with agents all over the United States you need not be located in the Atlanta area for our sponsorship.

If you have a specific question, we want to help!  The best way to reach Tonia is through email at tonia_mann@mindspring.com or through her office at 678-268-3300.  You can also browse our website at www.AtlantaAtHome.com.