While I watched the Titans whoop on the Colts tonight, they had a quick segment on Kerry Collins. Although Kerry has always been a quarterback, the segment was about all of the teams he had played on since 1995 (or so). Within that time, he had played quarterback for several teams before coming to the titans, where he appears to be doing very well (6 & 0).
That got me thinking about the different jobs I have worked prior to becoming a Loan Officer.
I started at the age of 15 working at a fast food restaurant. Actually I worked several. My first real job was a Division Manager at 'The Enterprise" newspaper in Simi Valley, CA. I was 20. Actually, at that time I was working 2 jobs. The title 'Division Manager' sounds bigger than it was. At that time, we had kids still doing the routes, not adults in automobiles. My job was simple. I would oversee about 45 kids between the ages of 10 and 16. I'd be sure they were trained on which houses to deliver the paper to and make sure they realized the importance on getting it on the doorstep.
Do you remember when it was typical for the kids to deliver the paper? They would come to your door and collect your money. In return you would get your paper on the doorstep and receive a little blue receipt stub when you paid them. Now you are lucky if the paper makes it across your sidewalk towards your house. Its very irritating when my paper is wet from my grass. Anyway, that's not the point of this blog.
About a year later, I began working for Countrywide Home Loans. An experience I will never forget and will always be thankful for. I didn't rush to become a loan officer. When I started at Countrywide, I worked Insurance Claims. It was quite busy, mainly because of a little hurricane called "Andrew", back in August 1992. During my time with Countrywide, I worked within many servicing areas and took several training classes. I've learned PLENTY within the mortgage industry.
It took me several years before I realized that being a Mortgage Professional is what I wanted to do. I get to work with people and numbers. Both are fantastic!
When did you realize you wanted to be involved with Real Estate and what did you do prior?
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Way to go Titans!
And before I started selling Real Estate...I was a waitress/bartender and a darn good one too! Starting waiting tables at 14 in a small cafe in Portland Oregon called the 'Biscuit Cafe' ... after the first day my Boss told me I was going to be a natural at it...and I worked for many years doingjust that...serving people and making a GREAT living of it...Almost buying my own Restaurant/Supper Club at the age of 26...but instead my Father was selling Real Estate in Kennewick WA and he told me I should get into it...so I took the tests...and left my license inactive...until deciding to try it at 30...and here I am 22 years later! Selling the Valley!
I have been in banking all my life. Particularly Mortgage. My husbands a builder so getting my license was just natural to me. I felt I always was a Realtor!
I got my license because my husband traveled for weeks on end...I had a full time job but too much free time...it looked like a good part time effort...tee hee...weekends at opens....a little floor time here and there....and then I got to an office with lots of activity....had some success....and first the job positions reversed...real estate became full time and then my husband wuit his "real job" and joined me....and so far, we are living happily ever after !
Patty - That sounds like quite a ride which took you to a road to success. Contrats!
Laura - It certainly makes it easier if you have a connection. Its best to make the most of it.
Sally - I think its great that the two of you are in Real Estate.
John, I was director of operations for a large private company. The owner passed away and I was let go by the new company that acquired us. I had no job but had a year severance package and a non-compete clause. My wife said I was driving her crazy, so I decided to get my RE license and only occasionally looked back at 70 hour work weeks for 40 hour pay and no overtime. With this business if I work 70 hours, it's for me...
I was a Science teacher. My husband (a plumbing contractor) got his RE license and got me interested. I REALLY like being my own boss.
You are right Paul. If you put in those hours, those are very well spent hours and not wasted.
Leslie - Being your own boss is great. I actually did not start being my own boss until about 2 years ago. I love being able to be home when my kids get home, and can still be flexible to call my customers at 8 pm if needed. I certainly work a full work week, but they are all well spent hours.
I raced bicycles as a job- great view- poor pay......
John - that was one helluva game! The Titans showed they can finally beat a good team.
John - Thanks for meeting me this morning. It was an honor to meet you.
As you already know my story, I'd never thought I'd serve as a real estate agent. I was just in it for myself as a real estate investor. Then when I figured I could do this better than the rest, oh boy was I in it for a surprise. Building this business definitely has it challenges and top producers make it look better than it seems. It's worth while though.
John... I kind of wrote about this two different times... I actually did a life of Jeff Belonger blog about a year ago... but I fell into mortgages, because of a friend from college. He said he was swamped and that I should jump into it. I started 8/17/92. My first real job was delivering papers when I was 12... well, I did that by myself. i did deliver previously, but it was a trial period when I was 10....
My husband went to Iraq and I wanted something to do, but I didnt want to work for someone
else so I chose real estate. I was a 21 dealer in Las Vegas before and knew I could relate to
people.
Mr. Davis - A racer? Very cool. How long did you do that?
Nino - It was especially great when Lendale White ran in two TDs. I needed him to do something for my fantasy football team. Other than that, it was good to see Titans play well. Colts are a good team, but really only as good as Manning.
Loreena - The pleasure was mine. I like that you got into this business because you felt no one could do it better. Having a recent listing which was only on the market for 14 days shows (not a short sale and not under market) shows that you have a knack for this business.
Jeff - I'll have to locate the post and check it out. I think all young boys start off throwing papers, at least when I was a kid. It was an easy way to make a few bucks and only took about 45 minutes to complete. Ultimately, it sounds like you made the right decision to become a mortgage professional.
Sandy - I'm sure you dealt with MANY different characters as a dealer. Hows business in Idaho? Is your husband home now?
John, business in Idaho is slower, we are still hanging in though. Yes my husband is home
safe and sound, Thank you so much for caring.
Prior to real estate, I was a high end furniture maker and finisher. Prior to that I ran my own computer business doing repairs and networking. I wanted to try something new, and I have been a Realtor ever since. My wife was already in real estate, and she had been attempting to get me in the business for a while, and I finally listened.
John, I got my BA in Social Work and my MA in Audiology and then went oops, oops. I actually got in to sales when my daughter was 4 months old selling Discovery Toys. I was with them until she was 9 and that is really where I got my sales experience. From there I went to being a Manufacturers rep but selling metal stampings wasn't all that exciting. My husband was transferred from Colorado to North Carloina and we were only there 2 years. I sold my house as a FSBO found I loved it and when we moved here almost 13 years ago I got in to real estate. That's the condensed version.
Sandy - I think this goes without saying, although I'll say it anyway... we TRULY appreciate your husband and we are glad he is home!
JL - Making furniture? What started you in that line of work?
Marchel - I have to say that Metal Stampings do not sound interesting, but maybe you have to be a collector. LOL (that probably only made me laugh, but I make myself laugh a lot). I do recall in another comment and/or post that you were interested in Real Estate ever since you did the FSBO.
10 years as a bike racer- good life if you like living on the road. My folks would always joke that I kept my address book by State and not last name............. Last race was in 1996 and the the cycling club I am getting going, the guys are pushing me to get going again, 2nd chapter like Lance?
I think thats awesome Geoffrey. Everyone should have a chance to do something they really want to do, even if just for a short period of time. Do you still ride a lot for fun?
Hi John, good question and it's a topic I'm going to be covering with a group of middle schoolers this month at their "career day". I figured rather than talk all about what it is that I do as a home stager I'd give them some background on how I became one and really as I look back from when I was a small child, this "knack" for real estate merchandising has always been there from re-arranging the Barbie house furniture (not really playing with the dolls) , organizing my side of the room I shared with my sister and keeping her out to changing up the furniture in my parent's house as a teen when I got bored then pursuing a degree in Marketing in college - it all just fit eventually into this job I love called home staging.
I want those middle schoolers to understand that inside each of us are gifts and when we're doing what we love, it's never work. Finding it is something it takes a long time for many to discover and it's OK! Just follow your heart and dreams.
I was going to actually call you about that Karen. I remember when you posted about the middle school event and I thought you had covered it already. Im interested in hearing how things turn out.
Hey John, it's on Nov. 13th and I'll be sure to post about it after I recouperate ;-)