Customer Reviews

Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Real Estate Agent (The Complete Idiot's Guide)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been contemplating a change of career and on the top of my list has been becoming a real estate agent. I felt it was a field that I would really enjoy and that I had the people skills to do well. There was one thing holding me back from taking the plunge. The real estate agents that I had dealt with and any of my friends or business associates had worked with seemed to have such a pushy, hard sell attitude, with not very much respect for the client. I was afraid that this was a requirement to making it in this profession. Ms. Sullivan's book not only dispelled this erroneous assumption, but emphasizes why and how being ethical, acting out of integrity and putting your clients' wants and needs first will pay off on all levels and build a long standing, trustful reputation. I was so encouraged by her chapter on "The New Deal" which dealt with this issue. In fact there is a level of spiritual integrity that I haven't encountered in other books that I've read on this subject that really resonates with me. Because of this wonderfully organized and informative book, I have made my decision to enter this profession. I had a dream of finding a mentor in this field and now I have. I felt Ms. Sullivan wrote this book just for me and that I can't miss if I follow her advice. The FYI, Inside Scoop and Real Estate Lingo insertions scattered at strategic places throughout the book are so rich with interesting and helpful information. I really felt the depth of her wisdom from years of experience in practicing what she is sharing in this book. I am full of enthusiasm and appreciation.

There is some great advice for the novice agent in this book. But I think the author/agent speaks from two sides of her mouth. She promotes good ethics and attention to detail in terms of contracts and client-care. BUT, her own business is based on facilitating For Sale By Owners and an a la carte approach to representation. Both of these approaches to Agency undercut our business and our income. We spend a lot of money in this business, and are at great risk of frivilous lawsuits, burn out, and even our personal safety. Undercutting the traditional 6% (or even 5%) commission by offering limited services for a reduced rate undermines our whole industry. Any author/agent who supports cut rate real estate services should be read with skepticism.

This book is what I have been searching for. It covers the basics about how you get into real estate sales and whether the field is right for you. It details the very detailed information about the real estate exam and the best way to prepare for the exam. Then, it takes off into sophisticated and entrepreneurial ways of making real estate sales a professional, high dollar business. This author doesn't miss a thing while she takes you from the very beginning to the very end of the career of what she calls a Top Dog. Ms. Sullivan has entrepreneurship in her blood and she mentors you to become one too.

I was surprised to see that she also incorporates spiritual principles into her professional business model, making soul an important ingredient in a successful business. Maybe that's what we are all missing in our work. I have been a realtor for 12 years but now I know how to do it in a whole new way. This book is my new bible. Thank you, Ms. Sullivan.

I am a real estate agent in Washington, DC and found this book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Real Estate Agent, to be such an inspiration. I have been a licensed agent for five years and have always believed that the industry needed to change its way of doing business.

The traditional "sell,sell, sell approach" has put a dark cloud over a very good and esteemed profession. Real estate agents are facilitators not salespeople, and the New Ideal approach expressed in your book empahizes this truism. Operating as an independent contractor, I always felt as though I was a business person, but did not know how to establish my real estate practice and run it as a business - until I read your book - five years later!

It is very true that real estate brokers treat their "salespeople" as employees even though they are really ICs. Agents are not taught how to think or act like business owners which has contributed to the bad image real estate agents have in the minds of many consumers. I hope that many more agents and brokers will read this book and adopt the New Ideal philosophy. I feel that it will give a much needed boost to our real estate profession.

The New Ideal philosophy and the advice given in this book has truly changed my life around and breathed new life into my business practices. Thank you, Ms. Sullivan, for sharing your knowledge and experience.

I'll make this short and sweet. . .if you've been in the real estate biz for any amount of time go ahead and read this book purely for the laughs you'll get. I must agree with another reviewer about Ms. Sullivan's "utopian view." It's quite obvious upon reading this piece of rubbish that she never sold real estate full time.

If you are new to the business please RUN from this book. Again, it bears very little resemblance to the daily life of a truly successful real estate sales person. Even her terminology is messed up. There are PLENTY of truly knowledgeable real estate gurus with wonderful, informative books. Don't waste your money on this one.

This book has loads of useful information and advice both for people considering a career as a real estate agent and for those already in the business. The author is extremely positive in her style throughout the book, and makes the reader believe he/she can't help but succeed with the right approach, hard work, and perserverence. I recommend this book to anyone thinking of becoming or already a real estate agent.

This book is absolutely wonderful!! As a struggling agent with very little training, I have broken out through Marilyn's innovation and vision. I don't know where I'd be without this helpful tool. Whether you are a new agent, looking for helpful guidance or a "Top Dog" looking for innovation in the Tech Savvy world of Real Estate, this guide will help you for many years to come. I continue to use the book as a resource guide numerous times a week. THANK YOU MARILYN!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely - Theresa Taylor Ann Arbor, MI

As many of the other reviewers have noted. The author is more focused on being a discount agent in her private practice. She is also is very focus on the technical aspects of real estate and real estate law. It is like taking the real estate exam all over again. I was not looking for hours of useless information like in liscensing school. I was hoping she was going to share really solid techniques to make more money but alas they where limited.
I would recommend Success as a Real Estate Agent for Dummies by Dirk Zeller. It is well constructed and packed with how to's and systems to increase your income. His insights into prospecting, lead follow up, time management and sales presentations is outstanding. A truly must read for any agent. Save you money on this book and invest it into the "original" guide the Dummies book.

I have recently become licesed and atained both a sales person and a brokers license. I thought the advice on how to pass the state exam was rubbish... here is the best advice ...study till you know the material and then take the test.
The rest of the book was amaturish at best and I will just donate it to our local vets on the next charity drive

Only 20% of this book is somewhat useful, the rest should be called "what not to do as a new real estate agent". Some advice is outdated to say the least. For example, equity sharing-nobody really does it, or better yet "floor time"-which is complete waste of time because all you are doing is sitting in your company's office and waiting for client to walk in which hardly ever happens. That's not how you learn the business, trust me.
I also thought that some statements made by author is downright silly. For example, "make your work your passion". Well, okay. Here is how you should do it(in her opinion)-"if you love cars and think you should have been a race car driver-get into your car and take long way, just drive. Or if you love gardening, spend more time in clients gardens" Now, is that deep or what?
Also, author advocates to sending out cards informing everyone that you are now a real estate agent. I can tell you what everyone will do with those-use it as toilet paper. Don't waste your money on such baloney-I've been in business few years(not in sales but I had plenty of opportunity of interacting with other agents and brokers) and I can personally attest that it doesn't work. And this is just a few pieces of "advice" that you will see here. Buy this book to learn what not to do, or better yet save your money.