An EBA is an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent. Purists say to be an EBA you have to work for a company that only works with buyers and never sellers…as in the company will never take a listing. Tom Early is the head of NAEBA. National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents.

The only EBA I’ve seen commenting on RCG is Stefan Scholl. I like his blog.

As to new agents “blowing floor calls”, I do recall agents complaining in various offices over the years, when an Office Manager gave floor time to a newer agent who wasn’t able to capture the leads. Only difference I saw was when an experienced agent “blew it”, they blamed it on the “flakey” caller

Great post Ardell. I worked like Rudy when I first started. I was affectionately referred to as the “Floor Whore” in our office because I would take any and every shift I could get. I royally blew a lot of sales on that phone in the beginning, but I sure learned a lot….

I added you to my Blogroll so I can watch your blog unfold. Looks like you just got started, but I love the concept. Ohio, the home of Tom Early and EBAism… He’s in Columbus, I think. You appear to be in Akron. Have you seen a lot of EBA’s in your area?

Great post with some ideas on what a new agent should expect when coming into the business. As a Broker/Manager of one office in a 14 office independently owned brokerage firm that hires to business plans, I’m amazed at the number of “newbies” that are just starting out or with other brokerages that I’ve talked to that either have no clue on how to start off in the business or don’t have the will to do the things it will take to get their career started!

Let’s face it – unless a “newbie” is willing to spend the time, energy and effort to build their client base at the beginning of their career, they’re not going to make it.

Can you imagine this business if no one quit

I just read some pretty old, yet reliable statistics. “50% quit within the first 12 months. Another 25% by 18 months. Another 5% gone by the end of the 2nd year. That’s 80% gone and 20% staying.

Another study (says the entire industry)…always has 1/3 leaving, 1/3 thinking about leaving and 1/3 staying.”

Your travel stats are almost at par with mine. Tough on a real estate agent though. 43 years in “Philly” inclduding 6 in Cherry Hill, NJ, and 5 in Bucks County. 2 in Orlando, FL, 1 in Granite Bay (Sacramento) CA and 4 in Manhattan Beach, CA, 3 in Seattle Area.

Makes for a broader perspective and more well rounded person

I can also think of a dozen or so ‘Rudy-like’ sales people success stories. Unfortunately , I can also think of hundreds of others I’ve either worked with or observed, both ‘talented’ and not, who simply quit. My point was, and I was agreeing with you actually, that I’ve seen hundreds of people with a lot of potential, not make it in sales because they will not do what top producers do or at the very least, what less talented people like Rudy will do. Rudy was a success because he achieved his own goal and didnt quit.

Anyway, to answer your more recent question about blogs, I like Sellsius. I like the look, the Podcast idea and the fact that it has a lot of lifestyle content as well as being real estate-centric. Most real estate blogs are “101″ types with a low-end layout and design. Very boring and predictable.

I also like my blog. You should take a look if you have a few spare moments. We’re a boutique company in Chicago so following the philosophy of our broker, I personally try to stay right-sized but play ‘big’ in this market. (We left the biggest Remax office in the city to go independent 3 years ago) Its slowed a little lately so I’ve been blogging the past few weeks during this very welcomed and newly found ’spare time.’

I was “turned on to” the movie Rudy by my 19 year old daughter. From time to time I ask my girls what their favorite movie or book is. It gives me some insight into their outlook on life at any given time.

Unlike the movie, where there is a limited period of time and physical attributes required to really “make it”. Real estate as a career is a little more attainable, than being one of the very few selected for a team like Notre Dame.

Honestly, I don’t think “as you watch seemingly greater men and women around you drop out of the game” applies. I’ve seen the revolving door up and down both Coasts, and have known a few real Rudys. I worked like a Rudy, but honestly, I’d have to say I was not one of them.

I was the new agent who intimidated some of the other newbies in “the pit” at my first office. I remember in my first real estate class in NJ, the teacher asking on the last day, “So, What do you want to be now that you are armed with this new knowledge and a license?” One person stood up and said, I just want to sell two houses and buy a car Another one stood up and said, “I want to be Ardell”.

But I remember one guy at RE/MAX Properties in Newtown, PA named Matt. We used to “222″ him at first contact. He was truly a Rudy and he surprised us all. Another guy named “Dave” at Coldwell Banker, whom we all thought should just “Go and get a JOB already!” who just wouldn’t give up. Jay over in Seattle who dressed up in a suit and tie every day and plugged away, only to have his first walk in while he was on floor duty turn to the receptionist and say, “I want someone else. I don’t trust a guy with a tie.” LOL The girl who was working as a sales girl at Sears and real estate part time, who went on to be one of the top agents. The school teacher who only worked summers, nights and weekends, but had more contacts (parents of students) than anyone else, and worked day and night,  seven days a week.

Then there’s the guy who wanted to be a listing agent right off the bat. No buyers for him. I showed him how to do that, and he surprised us all by doing it. He left. He didn’t realize it was going to be “so much work” juggling a dozen listings at a time. Now THAT surprised us.

Two were sell/buy clients… the rest were buyers. Currently have two listings (have to sell before they buy). Also, just bought my own flip with my contractor/partner in the North Mayfair neighborhood of Chicago… takin’ it to the next level.

Also… Geno Petro of Chicago Home Estates was one of those veterans… if you can’t learn from him you’re just stupid