Andi Grant's Blog - Everyday Real Estate with a Twist

REAL ESTATE AGENTS: Newer vs. Veteran 

There has been talk recently about the generational gaps between the Generation X and Y real estate agents. I'm not necessarily a fan of the class separation so I will write about this in terms of "newer" versus "veteran" agents. This will be somewhat of a generalization of the two which doesn't include those on both sides that exhibit a desire to try new things or those that stubbornly refuse. This is directed more towards those that are creating the schisms between the two instead of attempting to unite them. 

NEWER AGENTS  

PROS: This group brings fresh excitement and new innovative ideas to the table. What they offer are a pair of fresh eyes! ANY agent who has been in this business for a while needs that! Have you ever had an out-of-town guest visit you only to have them gain more value out of the city in one week's time than what you've been able to in years? Why? It's because they are looking at it with expectancy and with a pair of fresh eyes. The same applies for newer gun-ho agents.

CONS: What some of the newer agents may not be aware of, is that technology will never replace the human relationships that are the foundation of building your real estate career long term. Veteran agents know this and have been able to survive many economic downturns and booms because of it. You automatically assume they are scared or jealous of you, when in some instances, they may be scared for you. You've heard it a million times that our business is built upon relationships. Even here in this blog community, it's when you get to meet or actually talk to the person behind the online personas, that you TRULY feel connected. Do not be fooled! There is much more than numbers involved on both sides of the transaction! The client will need to feel at some point that they can trust their emotions and their family's well-being to you and of those of their referrals. Technology will help you to get the lead, but its "old skool" basics that will help you to keep them.

VETERAN AGENTS:

PROS: This group brings economically challenged, time-tested strategies to the table. They've seen generations, N.A.R. regimes, social platforms, new real estate trends crash and burn or flourish and have wisely taken something from each situation. How many newer agents faced a major obstacle and were completely lost once the boom bombed and they actually had to go back to the basics to get the listings, buyers and leads? Veteran agents experienced a mild speed bump. They were able to keep their client base for the most part because they were still connecting with them on a more personal level, the good old fashion way of phone calls, person-to-person, handwritten letters asking about the kids on a first name basis, etc. 

CONS: The area where flexibility might be lacking for some veteran agents, is in the how they are currently getting their new leads. Your sphere of influence can only buy so many homes a year... in five years...ten. It's their referrals that will keep you in the game...at least that's how it used to be. You need the internet and other modern technology. Statistics show that over 80% of home buyers and sellers (a.k.a your friend-of-a friend referrals) are going online for their initial real estate related inquiries and information. Why be the backup plan when the other agent screws up? IF they screw up? Your advantage is that you can easily learn the technology, whereas experience takes a whole lot of time, not to mention many bumps and bruises.  You've faced much harder challenges than posting insights on Facebook, Twitter and blogging for SEO.

There are obviously misconceptions on both sides.  I say we forget schisms about the "newer" or "veteran" way. How about simply being a saavy real estate professional working with other real estate professionals? Newer agents need to learn where they came from in order to know where they are going. If not, they will find themselves sprinting in the wrong direction because they were following everyone else, only to find out that specific course wasn't designed to take advantage of their particular strengths. Veteran agents who know exactly where they want to go, but see a fork in the road ahead, will need to find the most expedient and efficient route in which to reach their planned destination or they will find themselves winded on the sidelines while others pass them by. Outside of either of those strategies is a waste of time, energy and money.

Speaking of newer and veteran, here is a very entertaining 3 minute lesson and video on why you can't beat the experience of a veteran in tough situations. This may be initially hard to watch for those who see themselves in the older veteran character, but watch up until the 3:00 minute mark and you'll get the point, the rest you can skip because it's a montage of several scenes:

The Clip Setup: Two bounty hunters have come into town in pursuit of the same bounty. There is only one reward. The younger one is portrayed by Clint Eastwood, the older and more experienced portrayed by Lee Van Cleef. The following scene takes place after Clint's character has sent in a frightened bellhop into the older bounty hunter's room to pack his bags as he watches. Kind of similar to how some newer agents are indirectly attempting to push older ones out before they are ready to go. This is what happens when the two face each other: 

Watch the first 3:00 minutes: