The Real Estate Agent

Profession: Real Estate Sales Rep and manager of my own brokerage firm.

Please explain what you do in your job?
I sell homes and condos in the Greater Toronto Area and manage my company.

List of accomplishments: I have been a full-time agent for the last 20 years.

How do you measure success in your chosen career?
By the smiles on the faces of my clients and the referrals they send me.

When did you decide this is what you want to do for a living and what was the 'moment'?
I was 30 when I decided to sell real estate. It was when my son was born and I was determined to give him a good upbringing.

What did you have to do in order to get involved with this profession?
I went to Seneca College and got my licence.

Pros and cons of this job?
Late hours and weekend work, but very rewarding when it all works out.

Skills required for this job?
You have to be a people's person and be very tenacious. Patience is also important.

What can people expect if they want to pursue this job?
In the beginning you have to work and not expect a quick reward, it takes about a year to start seeing results and it can be very frustrating, but if you persist, it will turn around for you.

Percentage of people who actually succeed in this field: I would say 20 per cent of agents do well, 80 per cent aren't as successful and eventually drop out.

Salary range: $100,000 and up for the top 20 per cent of sellers and the remainder make between $10,000 and $30,000 per year.

Advice to people who are thinking about pursuing this field: If you are good with people and have good organizational skills, along with patience and persistence and you really want to show and sell houses then go for it, otherwise, it's not for you.

Anything else you would like to say?
I am now running my own company and getting referrals from many past clients. Things are better, but it was a long road. I find working for my own company more beneficial to me and my clients. It saves them money because there is less overhead and I can pass the savings on to them.