Fingerprinting: Safety or Invasion?

There have been a number of Real Estate Commissions across the US that have added, or are adding fingerprinting as a requirement to getting/renewing your license. Once it's done, you don't have to do it again, they just want everyone on record for the public's safety.

But many real estate agents think it's not only just an added cost to getting/keeping a license, but also an invasion of privacy. It's just another way to keep "big brother" in the middle of our lives.

I've asked a few friends what they think, and it most of them seem to think what I do. It is another annoying cost (about $50 in Texas I think), but if you don't have anything to hide, why not? It can be used as a marketing tool for RE agents - adding trust back into those relationships.

I am all about keeping real estate licensing costs down, but I am also in favor of keeping the public safe. From a marketing standpoint at AgentCampus, how many of you would like to see us offer a voucher for a free fingerprinting after passing the classes you take with us?

I'm not saying this is possible, I'm just thinking out loud. I am just a simple marketer thinking about how I can make my student's lives easier. :)

Down Market Isn't Everywhere

With reports like California Licensees dropping for the first time in over 10 years, it's hard to imagine things being good in Real Estate anywhere. But there is hope. As with the price of a house, the market is different depending on where you are.

Just to the north, Washington Realtors are talking to their Legislature about their housing market, which seems to be on the up and up.

There are markets in Texas (I'm biased because that is where I am) that are still doing well (Austin) and some not (Dallas). Don't automatically assume that because the nation on average is down that your area is too. Remember those lemons.

What should it cost to become a Realtor?

I came across this posting from a prospective real estate agent in Texas. He is asking a pretty straight forward question, but is still hard to answer.

At AgentCampus, we offer real estate licensing courses in all states that will let us. But that is just the first step. I have been talking to many new agents in Texas recently, and they all say the same thing: it costs a lot of money to be a real estate agent in your first year. The training is the easy part.

The fees for local associations, exams, and that 60 hours in your first year is what really gets you. To be a real estate agent requires training and exams. To be a REALTOR and have access to the MLS, that's a more. But it is what is required to be a serious agent.

Just like I said about Home Inspection becoming more regulated, this is most likely a good thing. It keeps the people who are only "so so" about becoming an agent out. It's the barrier to entry. If you want to do this, you have to be serious. But when it is just ridiculous? Are other states the same way?

Don't get me wrong, I am not slamming the MLS, NAR, or anyone else. Truthfully I don't know enough about that subject to really do it justice. I am just posing that question. What should it cost to become a Realtor? Does anyone really tell you in the beginning what the investment really is? How important do you think it'd be to tell prospective agents this?

On a side note: We are developing Prospective Agent kits for people who want to become agents in the states we offer training. Keeps your eyes out for them. I might even post some of the knowledge I find on here and see what you all think. I'd love input on what you would have liked to know BEFORE becoming an agent.

The Maze of Marketing

Being in the internet marketing industry for the past 5 years has taught me one thing. Marketing is only effective when used in it's entirety. You cannot rely on one piece alone.

• Print advertisements are a necessity because it builds awareness, the beginning of relationships.


• Sponsorships are a necessity because it also begins Word of Mouth. Want people to know who you are, tell them.


• Calling prospects is a necessity - you are talking to people who are actively in the market!


• Networking is a definite necessity. If you need to know why, ummm ...


• Search Engine Marketing is a necessity because it builds your brand and reaches the next generation of buyers.

Online advertising leads are fresh, active, and hot. They are looking for you and WANT you to contact them. But they aren't the entire market. Having a blog, linking, website development - that's all a part of that one area of marketing. So many blogs out there spout to have the best tips and tricks for marketing on the internet. Some can be confusing, some can be full of great advice, most have both.

But in the end, it's only one part of your business. Build your business as a whole business. Use all the tools available to you, not just one. You wouldn't try to do your hair for a night out with only hairspray right?

Kickstarting the Real Estate Market

This week I heard something really funny. After all of this mortgage and foreclosure talk, the real estate market was not looking fun for anyone. Just because of some spending and lending gone bad.

To make up for it, every real estate agent has been pushing on the fact that its a buyers market. Short sales are happening, and on that day, the National Association of Realtors got into it. They launched a national ad campaign to boost the buying of homes and using certified Realtors to do so.

Then today happened. The Fed cut rates by 0.75%, the largest cut since the 1990s. Shailesh Ghimire of AgentGenius commented on the situation well. What are we missing? What is the government not telling us?

As a marketer to the real estate industry I am happy about these two developments. As a possible home buyer, I am highly ecstatic. I hope the jumpstart works to counter act what the media created in talking about some missed opportunities.

Let's go real estate agents. Time to make some lemonade!

Home Inspection of the Future

The Real Estate industry is highly regulated. Each state in the US has it's own set of rules and regulations, and each one is completely different from the other. Many are moving into fingerprinting and streneous background checks as well as.

On the other hand, the Home Inspection industry has been largely unregulated. Recently I've noticed that many states are picking up Home Inspection regulations; requiring licenses, continuing education, and registration with the state.

Specifically I've seen mention of Arkansas and Florida thinking about moving to a regulated home inspection model. Florida promises to put recently approved legislation into effect in early 2010.

With the home loan industry in trouble, and the mass of houses on the market due to foreclosures, we might see this industry regulation pushed even faster than previously thought.

While it'll be nice to have this part of Real Estate regulated, it brings up the question, how happy are the newly regulated home inspectors going to feel? This will definitely restrict entry into the market, but from my perspective, I can't see anything bad about it. What do you think?

The Truth About WOM

Word of Mouth Advertising. It's the glory of all marketing programs. Free advertising that is almost guaranteed to convert. In the real estate industry, it is the best way to find clients. Referrals are the stuff life is made of.

Seth Godin posted a new insight to word of mouth, and uses the Iowa caucuses as an example. The gist is that while WOM marketing is the highest converting it is rare. To get someone to refer friends to you just doesn't happen as much as searching the internet. But that is why it is so powerful.

Your regular advertising campaigns are still needed, but getting your current clients to speak out is the key. In another post he tells you how. Overdeliver.

Behind the Scenes

I came across a wonderfully entertaining blog today called TheBrickRanch. It's awesome to see such a well written piece about Real Estate and the work that really goes into it.

Teri makes a great point about how going to a performance is just like Real Estate. All people on the outside see are the houses, the showings, and the final papers. Few get to see the work behind selling a house.

How do you get to the closing table? It’s juggling, it’s acrobatics, it’s high-wire balancing and double-jointed flexibility. It’s work, it’s experience, and it’s training. It’s theatre, it’s a circus, and yeah, it’s definitely real estate.

The experience and training are what really set you apart from the rest. It's the relationships you've built and the things you know.

As we enter 2008, the team at AgentCampus wishes you all a productive and profitable year. Thank you for entrusting your training to us this year. We look forward to many other years of training with you.

Real Estate License? What?

I am on a weekly mailer from Google that let's me know what's going on in the Real Estate world. One thing I have noticed recently is an increase in blogs being posted with the title "How to Get Your Real Estate License"

If the posting isn't complete jibberish, then the instructions are specific to some state. One thing that we at AgentCampus.com are fully aware of is the fact that getting a real estate license is completely different dependent on your state. One state might require 210 hours for training to take their state test, another may not allow online training, and yet another may require specific courses to get your real estate license.

I am currently working on a guide for various states. A definitive "how to get your real estate license" that will cover your state. We are starting with the states we offer training in, but if you're nice and send me an email, I might be persuaded to do one in your state as well.

But always know, the best place to find out how to get your license is your state's real estate commission. Don't get duped into some fake program. Always remember each state is special. Look for something that is approved by your state before moving forward.

New York Still Going Strong

In the midst of all the hype about a declining market, New York is fighting back. The Times Union published a story about how the number of Realtors has increased over the past year.

Despite lowering sales and tougher entry regulations, the real estate business still seems like a good idea to New Yorkers. Especially the the chance to make something from the power of hard work. Not just time in an office.

I am just hoping that other states pick up this mentality as well. Foreclosures may be up, but the biggest power that can bring real estate back from the brink is the mindset of it's people. Get out there and talk up your profession. Tell them what you love about being a real estate agent.

Take the time this holiday season to do something special for others. People ultimately want to make a difference with their career. You can be the change in their life that they have been looking for.

Happy Holidays! And thanks New York for bringing back the joy of the season!