Did you know that on average an Australian will change their career ten times? TEN TIMES! I found that figure quite staggering I have to admit, and I wondered if I was just old school and dedicated for sticking out my role in real estate for the best part of my life, or if I'm just not trendy enough to be part of that ten career trend. I tend towards the first option. But seriously, I have to admit that I love real estate, and that's why I've been in the game for so long. However, coming across that statistic did get me thinking about careers, and why I got into this industry in the first place.
Many people say there are certain types of people that are better at certain types of jobs, and for the most part I have to say I agree. After all, stereotypes aren't created in a vacuum. People who end up as nurses tend to be caring, people who end up as lawyers aren't afraid of a fight and so on. I can also admit that as far as stereotypes go, we in the real estate industry definitely have our own, although when I look at the Century 21 Australia network I strongly dispute them of course!
When it comes to looking at personality types and career choices, I do take real estate as a pretty good example. If someone who isn't driven, passionate and very much a people-person enters this industry, chances are they aren't going to last that long. I can admit that when the real estate market was booming, which it was until the end of 2008, real estate did become somewhat flooded with agents and salespeople who weren't necessarily of the required breed. When everyone has money to buy and there is plenty on the market to sell, it's not necessarily your level of skill that makes you successful. However, the economic downturn we are experiencing globally has definitely resulted in a bit of a weeding process in the real estate industry, and it's certainly separating the true professionals from the rest in this industry.There are several factors compounding what I suppose is a natural selection process. Lenders have tightened their requirements and money isn't being loaned out on such a free-flowing basis as it has been previously, plus those buyers that can afford to be in the market are looking for bigger and better deals, but not everyone selling their home is prepared to accept the new, often lower pricing that they need to consider. Then, as if that isn't enough, some of the agents who have seen a drop in business are taking on other jobs and are working in real estate part time, not really what you want when you are trying to sell your home!
But with these less than ideal members of the industry beginning to feel the strain, you will be able to spot the true professionals. The type of people you want helping you with your real estate decisions will be the ones who are still keeping their cool, playing by the rules and getting the job done.