Customer Reviews

Your First Year in Real Estate: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I'm not really sure why this book got such high marks from the other reviewers. The book is page-numbered to 281, plus the introduction and table of contents, but it really should have been only 100 pages, and can be summarized with "Set a goal, be persistent, find a mentor." In other words, there isn't a lot of substance to be found.

Probably the best chapter of the book is Chapter 1, "Selecting the Right Company". In it, the book gives you a decent list of things to think about when you're looking for a broker to work under. There is also a helpful list of questions that you need to ask your potential brokers when you are interviewing with them. On the other hand, the chapter falls flat when talking about the questions that the broker is likely to ask you. While the book gives you a list of questions, it doesn't counsel you in any way regarding what you might want to say or avoid saying in your answers.

The first sign that this book is going to be high on fluff and low on useful real estate sales help is the book's wide margins and line spacing, and large fonts. This makes for a low info-per-page ratio.

Next you'll notice that there is too much of vague generalities about real estate, too much meandering talk of discipline and persistence and goal setting and self-affirmation. Illustrative of this point is the fact that the book makes no mention whatsoever about open houses. Nothing. If open houses aren't worthwhile then why wouldn't you at least spend a couple of pages explaining why and presenting some scripts for convincing your sellers (and perhaps brokers?) not to do them?

Speaking of scripts, on pages 35 through 37 Mr. Zeller uses a lot of words to convince you of the importance and utility of scripts. In a sidebar he even lists 25 separate occassions in which one could, and presumably should, put scripts to use. Will you find any actual scripts in this book? Sadly, no, you won't.

Another frustrating example is the small, two-paragraph section with the heading "How do I get more listings?" The answer given is basically, "Learn the fundamentals of prospecting," with absolutely no explanation of what those fundamentals might be, just the unhelpful assertion that you should "[b]ecome a person of action." Thanks. I didn't realize that.

So, this book boils down to not much more than another book full of platitudes on general salesmanship and self-improvement. If that were what I was after I would have picked up something by Zig Ziglar or Anthony Robbins. To be fair, the chapters on "Mastering Your Sales Skills" are pretty good, but they don't start until page 143, and I found their contents to be so meandering and disorganized that I would often lose my patience as I read them. On top of that, I found everything in those two chapters in Mike Ferry's "How to Develop a Six-Figure Income in Real Estate"--in a more organized and, for me, far more motivational fashion, too.

I suspect that this book is intentionally vague for a very specific reason. Call it bait and switch. In the back of the book you'll find an ad for Dirk Zeller's other tape sets and manuals, all of which are substantially more expensive, of course.

I highly recommend you give a pass on "Your First Year..." and instead pick up a copy of Ferry's book--or, for a different perspective, Danielle Kennedy's "How to List and Sell Real Estate in the 21st Century". Both of those books are well organized and contain tons of helpful ideas (some presumably more lucrative than others). Best wishes.

I am a new real estate agent. Like most new agent I was VERY lost (i'm sher you know the feeling). I had no one telling me the "how to's", the "when to's", and most importantly the "why to's" of the business. Is that what I signed up for, i asked!? I was overwhelmed and nervous. I invested in books and tapes of the highest level in relation to real estate (they where very good) BUT they never gave me the BOTTOM LINE (starting for the moment you recieve |THE CERTIFICATE|to actualy thinking of making 100 000+/year)!The best investment I made was the book "YOUR FIRST YEAR IN REAL ESTATE". If you are new in the business and are looking for a mentor !? read the book. You dont know where to start !? Read the book. You want to build a solid foundation for your carreer !? Read the book. Dont be fooled by it's simingly "basic" cover, this is the book you want. Dirk Zeller's philosophy is fantastic. It is possible to work 4 days a week and still make alot of $ and have time for your family...

Your 1st Year in Real Estate is a comprehensive and exciting plan for success in Real Estate and life. In the tradition of Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy and Zig Ziglar, Dirk Zeller challenges you to not only achieve your wildest dreams through a lucrative career in Real Estate but also maintain balance, for a life worth living. This is the business plan that I was looking for when I started my career as an agent... Dirk doesn't leave any questions about what you should do or how to do it. Dirk has put a tremendous amount of information into this book and I commend him for his honest and sincerity. Experience is the greatest teacher and Dirk has put all of his into the book!

Your 1st Year in Real Estate should be called The Fundamentals of a Successful Real Estate Career. Dirk tells you exactly how to create a business that is predictable and can be duplicated. One of the biggest worries for all agents is when and where the next closing (check) will come from. Dirk illustrates how to make your business proactive instead of reactive. He shows you exactly how to predict the amount of business you will generate based on activity, this information is priceless! Dirk even gives you the activities that pay! The book goes well beyond your 1st year in detailing the importance of time management and cost control. Dirk goes into extensive detail about these often-misunderstood elements of really high performers. It's in these chapters that Dirk details how to become the best of the best and achieve a high net income not just a high gross.

In my estimation this is a must read for every agent who wants to achieve any measure of success in Real Estate and have a life. Dirk's career in Real Estate was one of massive success while enjoying a life away from work. An often-stated accolade of Dirk's career was that he did it all while working a 4-Day workweek, but I believe even more important, with a moral compass and ethics. Dirk will show you exactly what to do every day to be successful and then he challenges you to maintain focus and balance, something I plan to emulate.

A great book that I continue to reread and find more value. This is an important part of my library.

Thank you Dirk

When you are new to Real estate as I am, there is so much to learn it is overwhelming. This book is very basic but it is all usefull information. I gave it 4 stars because most of it is common knowlege but many of us, including myself, can make things more complicated than they need to be especially when you are getting so much inforation from so many sources; broker, the board, the dept of Real Estate. This book simplifies many things that we encounter when we are getting started and takes alot of the complication out of the simple tasks that are necessary to become successful. I know I am reading everything that I can get my hands on and this one was worth the time to read. Just be careful because alot of his suggestions won't work in every market. Don't waste your time on prospecting that doesn't work in your area. Best of luck!

After one year in the real estate industry, I needed to clean my book shelf. This book was thrown into the box marked "useless".
Let me tell you why.

The first time I bought and read it, I had no real working experience and thought I got great information about industry. Thus I thought I was ahead of other newbies. I read this book so many times, underlined, and dog eared.
Looking back, the only thing this book was right is "average income is very low".
For the rest, unfortunately, I found this book actually mislead me too much and lead me to costly mistakes.

One example. The author suggested that office located in busy street is better for newbies. I found this was not true. I worked with 3 offices.

The other example is that the author suggested that bigger office is better for newbies. I found this is absolutely not true. The reality is it's much better to start with small office where you can easily find mentor. In reality, in large offices, competition among salespersons are high to the level that no one cares about helping newbies. Get the fact. Everyone is working on commission. They don't even wast time to go lunch with you!!! And here's the facts. This business of real estate sales is not really intellectual, not even to the level of professional. It's all about how much people you know and how much people know you. This is rather a business of convenience. Every other salesperson even in the same office is a potential enemy for your business!!! Why they help and teach you to suceed. It only reduces their chance of making listings and sales!!!

Once I realized this, after actually working in industry, I knew this book was useless and never refered to this book for anything.

One and a half year after I actaully got into the industry, I found the very useful book. If you are about to be a real estate salesperson, read "How to suceed in commercial real estate" by John L. Bowman. I know this is for commercial real estate. But this book is WAY BETTER than "Your First Year in Real Estate".

Don't make costly maistakes by reading "Your First Year in Real Estate". 80-90% newbies fail in first 3 months. Reading wrong books can be fatal for your career.

Sorry, but I don't understand how this book has gotten any good reviews. It is pure fluff. The writer seems to be more of a 'motivator' than someone who can actually accomplish anything on his own. He fails to address simple issues is a straightforward manner.

Simplistic writing and convoluted logic. Save your money and buy Gary Keller's Millionaire Agent book. It is far better at showing you how to leverage your time and resources into very large returns. This author talks about beating the average income of $17,000/year. Keller teaches you how to maximize your potential and become financially independent.

Mr. Zeller's book offers great insight and motivation for those new to the real estate profession. I read it cover to cover in a day and plan on reading it several times over. Only 2 months into my career, I felt like he was describing the very things I'm going through right now. I highly recommend this book!

This book is FULL of metaphors. If you cut out all the metaphors and all the repeating itself, it might have 10 pages of content worth reading. But, your money is probably better spent elsewhere. This is what I get for looking for a book on real estate in a brick and mortar store rather than coming online. It was the only book I could find at the time.

There is some good info there, but I'm sure that you can get a LOT more valuable info for your money by purchasing a different book.

This is the guide that new agents are looking for. I have been in the real estate for 20+ years and no one has compiled such a comprehensive resource for new agents. I can not thank you enough for writing this book "Your 1st Year in Real Estate." Every chapter explains to new agents exactly what to expect
and how to move forward in their new career.

Every new agent joining our company receives a copy of your book. If they have not received the book prior to our new agent training program, they receive a copy the first day of training. We encourage them to read it and use it as their
real estate reference guide.

The chapter on "Making Good Things Happen" is used for our goal setting class.
"Take 15 Minutes to Dream" really makes them think and "Your Step-by-Step Plan" with the nine steps is exactly what they need to hear and do to jump start their career. The goal setting plan is simple and helps the new agent understand goals do not have to be difficult to be achieved.

It is easy to tell your book was written from experience of one who lived it and made a successful career by following the same advice and exact steps that you are sharing with others.

Kathy Collings, CRB, CRS
Director of Training
F. C. Tucker Co., Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana

I bought the book before I passed my test early in April 04, started reading it and was told by "people in the know" NOT to read the book till I passed my state test.

Ok, so I put the book down and didn't read it till July when I signed on with a broker. Thank God I read this book among others. I started putting into practice the ideas and guidelines in this book.

Dirk Zeller, surely knows what he is talking about.. I have been working since July, I have had my first listing, which sold in two weeks, and I currently have 1.5 million in listings!!!

I just sold my second listing and have three more listing appointments next week. This book was a major role player in my getting these listings. I highly recommend this book to new and so called "seasoned" agents that forgot what to do to make money!!