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Young Agents: Your Industry Needs You!

Young people are often attracted by the lure of the real estate profession but soon leave, citing a career mis-match or feeling disillusioned. As Braden Walters discovered, what you get out of the industry is related to what youโ€™re prepared to put in.

Career
After a few years in the real estate game, I always looked at the Real Estate Institute as being a bit of an โ€œold boys clubโ€. I never thought that I would have any need to use their services or their help โ€“ call me an arrogant Gen Y! My opinion has since changed. Real Estate Institutes across Australia offer a wide range of services to their members. I will run you through a few of the services that I can personally say have helped me with my business.

Training
Real Estate Institutes are seen to set the standard of training and education for all real estate professionals. One of the best things that I found about REINSW training courses is that you learn the most up to date legislation and are taught by some of the best trainers in the industry. Youโ€™re also taught specialist skills such as prospecting, lead generation, and how to grow your rent roll, to name a few. Another important factor when thinking about joining a Real Estate Institute is that you will have access to a jam-packed training schedule covering a wide range of specialties.

Industry Support
Because Real Estate Institutes are there to support their members, there are many different events and forums that you can take part in. A recent event that I was involved in opened my eyes to the different markets across NSW. It was great to be able to speak with rural members and holiday and short-term rental agents to gain some knowledge on other areas of the industry.

All Real Estate Institutes have dedicated staff members that are great advisors to the members. If I ever have a question about a legal or compliance issue, they are only a phone call away and know what they are talking about.

The buying power of being involved with your Real Estate Institute is fantastic. As a member I get discounts on real estate listing portals, advertising companies, superannuation companies, and business insurance. Real Estate Institutes also have some really great products that can help you become a better agent, or just continue achieving your best whether it be in property management or sales.

Networking
Networking is probably one of the favourite parts of real estate for any Gen Y agent. It was one of the first things that drew me to become an REINSW member. As a young agent, I found that socialising with other young agents was the best way to improve my skills and my experience. With many events run by young agents to benefit young agents, everything that is discussed and presented is relevant. I have met a lot of good friends and continue to build relationships. Whatever your age group or industry sector there will be a relevant chapter in your state or territory.

Another great networking opportunity at a Real Estate Institute is the awards night and gala dinner. During the year the Institutes call for submissions for the various Awards for Excellence programs. Even if you donโ€™t submit an awards entry, you are welcome to join the other members at the awards night. By attending the night you will be rubbing shoulders with some of the top performers in your state. Who better to share ideas with and take in as much as you can?

Public Assurance
With licensing in real estate becoming easier, it is important for Real Estate Institutes to continually lift the bar in terms of accredited and practising agencies. REINSW is about to launch a new accreditation scheme that we have been crying out for. It will be a great assurance for the public to know they are using a qualified, accredited agent.

In order for us, as agents, to lift the standard of service and practice being demonstrated today, we must continually improve the education of the agents joining the industry. REIs are leading the way in doing so. When a โ€œmum and dadโ€ seller is ready to use an agent, it is crucial that they are aware to use an accredited REI agent. That is the future.

Representation of your industry
By becoming involved with your Real Estate Institute, you get a chance to have your say. Because you are a practicing agent and working in the trenches, day in and day out, the respective Real Estate Institute Boards need your feedback about how they can help improve things for you. If you give back, it helps future development.

Young agents are needed to help bring a fresh outlook. More and more young agents each year are joining this great industry, and the Real Estate Institutes are offering great support to these agents so they can practice excellent service.

The great thing about Real Estate Institutes is that there are dedicated specialists in many different roles to offer support for all members. The Institutes are governed by their members and run by a board of real estate professionals. Therefore the information you receive is factual and only to benefit the industry as a whole.

In particular, as the Chairperson of the REINSW Young Agents Chapter, all the information and events we organise comes directly from our Chapter committee or members. We are a Chapter for young agents, run by young agents. By becoming a member and getting involved in your specific Chapter โ€“ such as Young Agents, Residential Sales, Property Management, Strata Management, Rural, Commercial, Industrial โ€“ you can apply and submit for awards that recognise outstanding achievement in your field. I believe it is great to be recognised by your peers along with public recognition. You can use the Awards for Excellence to help build your career.

By going along and getting involved with Chapter events for the REI, you will meet and socialise with other like minded real estate professionals. Agents from all areas and levels of experience will be happy to share knowledge with you.

Developing the Young Agents Chapter for the REINSW only 18 months ago, we have grown to over 1000 members and we continue to grow. We have direct links to our committee and we can help with specific issues that young agents face. By using social media, and in particular Facebook, our members can log on and ask a question.

Other Real Estate Institutes are now starting to develop chapters specifically for young agents. REIV started this idea and after speaking in their last Young Agent Development Day in March I understand how important it is to come along and share your opinions.

Why not surround yourself with the biggest players in the industry? If you want any help contact me via braden@trueproperty.com.auor www.twitter.com/bradenwalters

For more information visit:
New South Wales www.reinsw.com.au
Victoria www.reiv.com.au
Queensland www.reiq.com.au
Western Australia www.reiwa.com.au
Australian Capital Territory www.reiact.com.au
Northern Territory www.reint.com.au
South Australia www.reisa.com.au
Tasmania www.reit.com.au
National www.reia.com.au

Braden Walters represents the new breed of young guns taking the real estate industry by storm. Braden is a licensed agent, buyers agent, auctioneer, and is one of the youngest agency principals and real estate trainers in Sydney. Braden is also Chairman of the REINSW Inner West Divisional Committee and of the Young Agents Chapter.

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