Sound Off: How do experienced Realtors mentor young agents?

Q: “How do experienced Realtors mentor young agents?”

A: Having a mentor can make or break a new agent’s foray into the industry. New agents need to glean glean glean.

Firstly, there is the paperwork: study the listing & purchase contracts, understand disclosures, review homeowners’ association documents, inspection reports, tax records and appraisals.

Secondly, study the neighborhoods until you know them like the back of your hand.

Thirdly, go on tour, meet other agents, get your name out there so that when you’re competing on a purchase, the listing agent will recognize you as a player.

Let every single person in your sphere know that you’re now a Realtor available to list, sell, guide, provide market info/stats/data.

Watch your mentor support his/her clients and makes each one feel like they are the only one. See how they foster relationships and stay in touch after the transaction.

Lastly, my mentor’s words of wisdom: “Know the inventory.”

Paul Ybarbo, Sotheby’s International Realty, 415-640-7281, paul.ybarbo@sothebyshomes.com.

A: The two most important skills for a mentor to impart upon a new agent revolve around time management—setting up a schedule and consistently sticking to it. New agents, when not busy, can easily get distracted by the free time and lack of schedule.

A mentor must emphasize the importance of structure and routine at the beginning. Just because you don’t have meetings at 9 a.m., doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be up and at work first thing in the morning. There’s always something to do and successful agents are the first in the office and the last to leave.

Getting a new agent in a structured routine is the...