By: Steve Simon

Oct 19, 2008

 

Given the current market conditions, one might ask "Why would anyone want to go into real estate now?"

 

The answer might surprise you. I have been teaching real estate license law for well over twenty years; suffice to say I have seen a few cycles...

The bad parts are obvious: business is slow, and sellers are unhappy with the prices they are being offered. Credit has finally tightened up; getting a mortgage loan is not as easy as it was a few years back.

 

However there is always an upside to a down market. So if you have been thinking about starting a career in real estate, but the market has you in a holding pattern, remember these points:

 

Whenever there is a down market, the numbers of sales folk dwindle. If you are someone just starting out, this is a very good thing.

 

The competition will be much less than it was a few years ago. Sellers are also much more realistic about their property's value these days.

 

When you are in a prolonged downturn you don't get as many "Prima Donna" sellers.

 

When you start in a down market all the initial things you need to do, like taking classes and getting business cards and joining a local Board of Realtors, etc. etc.

 

All of these things will be easier to get done, and you won't be losing super valuable market time. You can start to take advantage of the slow market to build your farm and learn about marketing, and the internet. It takes months to really develop a good website and coming in at a slow time can be a blessing for all of the above reasons. You will learn how to put a deal together because all of the institutions are going to be scrutinizing everything, that's not bad it’s good! If you are just starting out, your broker is probably going to have more time for you in a slow market, and recruits are hard to come by, you will be appreciated.

 

Lastly think about this. If you come in at the bottom you can only rise from there!

 

 

A former two term Pasco County Commissioner.

 

Past Chairman of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

 

Former Board Member of the Tampa Bay Regional Water Authority.

 

Over twenty years in the real estate license classroom; teaching Real Estate Sales Associate, Real Estate Broker, Pre-license and Post-license classes.

 

An instructor's instructor, Steve has authored and taught the elective portions of the required continuing education classes for Florida real estate instructors.

 

He has been a key speaker and offered seminars to many professional organizations; speaking on subjects as varied as: negotiation, real estate, learning techniques, time management and more.

 

First licensed as a Florida Real Estate instructor in 1986, Steve Simon has interacted in a positive manner with thousands of students.

 

You can learn more about Steve by visiting his web site www.stevesimon.us/aboutsteve.html