Practical Experience for Real Estate Career Growth

I spend 15+ hours monthly on professional development that most agents skip. Most real estate agents think their license renewal education is enough. It's NOT. My continuous learning approach: 1️⃣ Mandatory + strategic education Beyond California's required 45 hours every four years, I complete additional certifications in buyer representation, fair housing, and risk management. The Bay Area market changes too rapidly for minimum compliance. 2️⃣ Technology mastery I test new platforms monthly - from AI-powered market analysis tools to blockchain transaction systems. 3️⃣ Market intelligence sources Daily consumption of specialized publications, MLS trend reports, and local market data. Recent example: Spotted the East Bay price correction trend three months before it became obvious, helping clients time their moves strategically. 4️⃣ Active industry engagement Monthly Bay Area real estate investor meetings, quarterly networking events, and even meeting people personally. The insights from experienced agents and market professionals often prove more valuable than formal coursework. 👉 Why this investment matters? When MLS rules changed in August 2024 regarding cooperative compensation, I had already updated my processes. When AI valuation models started affecting appraisals, my clients weren't surprised by the impact. 👉 The Result: My clients receive market insights that help them avoid costly mistakes and capitalize on opportunities others miss. Professional development isn't about collecting certificates - it's about delivering expertise that protects my clients' biggest investments in an ever-evolving market. How do you stay ahead of industry changes in your field? #bayarea #realestateagent #realtor #learning

Experience can be a curse. And how I turned my industry ignorance into an advantage: In 2017, I jumped from tech into real estate development with zero experience. During my first construction meeting for a beachfront hotel renovation, I asked: "What's a soffit?" The contractors exchanged looks. My face burned red. I'd built and sold two software companies. Made major investments. Yet here I was, not knowing basic construction terminology. But instead of hiding my ignorance, I weaponized it into three big "Beginner’s Advantages". 1) Zero Industry Baggage When you're new, you haven't learned what's "impossible" yet. • No existing ideas about "how things are done" • Spot problems veterans have normalized • Question practices others accept blindly 2) Cross-Industry Innovation My tech background turned out to be a secret weapon. By importing proven solutions from software, we: • Applied tech project management to construction bottlenecks • Introduced data-driven decision making to material ordering • Brought software efficiency principles to real estate operations 3) Permission to Ask "Dumb" Questions The biggest breakthroughs often come from questioning basic assumptions. • Uncovered hidden inefficiencies veterans accepted as routine • Challenged limitations that were just bad habits • Approached old problems with fresh eyes This approach transformed results: → Cut build time through contractor dependency mapping → Saved $10,000s with data-driven material ordering → Smoother operations with digital scheduling systems → Scaled from one property to a $20M hospitality portfolio 3 Steps to Leverage Your Beginner's Advantage: • Document Everything Create personal "field guides" Map every process Build terminology databases • Shadow the Experts Follow specialists on-site Record conversations (with permission) Ask questions without fear of embarrasment • Own Your Outsider Status Admit what you don't know Turn questions into conversations Learn from everyone, especially front-line workers Sometimes, not knowing 'how it's done' is exactly how it gets done better. P.S. Have you ever turned your "inexperience" into an advantage? ____________________________ Hi, I’m Richard, a 3x Entrepreneur, and Venture Capital Investor I help early-stage tech founders turn their startups into VC magnets Send me a DM to see if you qualify for hands-on guidance to nail your niche and wow investors.

2025 marks 20 years in real estate for me. Here are 20 lessons I’ve learned: 1. My best deals were deals with relatively low projected returns and low risk. My worst were deals with relatively high projected returns and high risk. 2. Get to your spot. If you want to get into real estate as a principal, don't take a job as a lender (even if it pays a little more). Take the job at the firm investing as a principal. 3. Stay disciplined in negotiations. Don’t put yourself in a position where you need a miracle to happen because you overpaid. 4. Always think about the next buyer. Don’t do things that will limit the future buyer pool. 5. People can miss good opportunities. Don’t assume something is “too good to be true.” Get your offer in. 6. If you do right by somebody, they’ll call you on the next one. (True for investors, brokers, sellers, buyers.) 7. Don't try to time the market. The biggest benefits come from uninterrupted compounding. 8. Stagger everything, including lease expirations and loan maturities. 9. Being meticulous, skeptical, and diligent are positive traits. 10. Match up your loan with your business plan. 11. Only buy deals you’d be happy to own forever. 12. Pay more attention to the details than anyone else. 13. Focus on properties that have deep buyer pools. 14. Build a reputation as a closer, not a retrader. 15. When you're doing due diligence, walk every unit. 16. If you're just starting in real estate, start before you quit your 9-5. 17. The best long-term career 'hack' is to treat people well. 18. Only invest in deals that align with your goals. 19. Always shop the comps. 20. Be likable. If you found this useful, feel free to give it a repost ♻️

Breaking Into Real Estate? The #1 Career Tip Every New Professional Should Know Breaking into real estate can feel overwhelming. I remember the early days vividly—the industry is dynamic, competitive, and you quickly realize how much there is to learn. I started my real estate career in 2010 and moved into brokerage in 2015, specializing in Retail and Restaurants. Over the years, I’ve learned that the difference between those who build a sustainable career and those who burn out often comes down to two things: who you’re learning from and your relationships. Conversations Are Your Secret Weapon The fastest way to accelerate your growth isn’t just reading books or scrolling online—it’s talking directly with people who’ve done it successfully. Seasoned professionals carry a wealth of wisdom about what works, what doesn’t, and how to stay resilient in commercial real estate. When you sit down with someone who has decades of experience, you gain access to two powerful insights: 1. What they would repeat – the strategies, disciplines, and mindsets that built their careers. 2. What they would do differently – the pitfalls they’d avoid if they could start over again. That dual perspective can save you years of trial and error. Where to Meet the Right People The good news? Opportunities to connect are everywhere—if you’re willing to put yourself out there. Growth requires us to shed old habits and get comfortable being uncomfortable. Start here: -Networking events: Chamber, Business Improvement District meetings, and local CRE meetups. -Trade conferences: ICSC, NAIOP, and CCIM are filled with industry veterans eager to pay it forward. -Community groups: Rotary and civic organizations where many leaders give back locally. -Online CRE Groups and LinkedIn Some of my best deals, mentorships, and opportunities started from a conversation at an event where I didn't feel like going but kept my commitment to myself. How to Approach These Conversations Show genuine curiosity. Don’t lead with, “Can you hire me?” Instead, ask: -“Looking back, what would you repeat if you were starting out again?” -“What’s one thing you’d do differently?” -“What trends should someone entering real estate focus on today?” Most professionals will be generous with advice if you show up with respect and gratitude. They're happy to pay it forward. My Advice for You Your first role in real estate may not be your dream job—but it can be your launchpad. The relationships you build early will shape your reputation, deal flow, and ability to adapt in a career that never stops evolving. Every successful real estate career is built not just on transactions, but on relationships. And the best time to start building yours is today. 👉 Are you just starting your real estate career? What’s the #1 question you’d ask a seasoned broker? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear it. #RealEstateCareers #JobSearchTips #CareerGrowth