Rookie mistakes: Mistakes newbies should avoid (2024)

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Rookie real estate agents often make mistakes that can hinder their success in the industry. Some common mistakes include not having a clear marketing strategy, not staying organized, not effectively communicating with clients and not continuing their education to stay current on industry trends and regulations.

Additionally, some new agents may not realize the need to build a strong network of industry contacts, such as mortgage brokers and inspectors, which can be crucial in closing deals.

By avoiding these mistakes, new real estate agents can set themselves up for success and establish a positive reputation in the industry.

Inman asked its community of experienced real estate professionals on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share the biggest mistakes rookies make so that hopefully new agents can avoid repeating them.

From not embracing the right technology, to not being confident or having the right mindset, the responses were plentiful and covered many areas of the job. Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.

The question: What’s the biggest rookie mistake agents make?

Money Mistakes

  • Spending the money “ they made” before actually getting to closing and seeing the transaction fall through. – Liety Rodriguez, Realtor
  • Not preparing for taxes and buying into the shiny next thing. – Jolene Sutton, Realtor, @nbhomegirl

Time management mistakes

  • Not using a CRM. – Chance Brown, @chanceabrown
  • Catering to potential clients without qualifying them as real buyers thus wasting their time and energy while simultaneously training a consumer to misunderstand the proper steps of home buying from start to finish. – Ryan Belen, Realtor
  • Trying to be all things to all people. – Gerhard Ade, Seattle Area Real Estate
  • Too much talking. Not enough listening. – Bobby J, 30A Local Realtor

Mindset mistakes

  • [Not] learning mental strength and managing the highs and lows. – Greg Hamre, @greghamre_realtor
  • Not doing enough research into the brokerages they’re looking at joining before doing so. – Ryan Mallett, @ryan_mallett_official
  • Thinking they can learn it themselves and not building systems from day one. – Matt van Winkle, Realtor @mattleverage

Sales and marketing mistakes

  • Getting “busy” with a deal or two and they stop prospecting. – Wayne Weaver, Real Estate Sales, Coaching and Consulting @wayneweaverrealtor
  • Lack of follow-up! – Lucy Ryan, Realtor, Amaral and Associates
  • Not using the phone enough. – Thomas Kane, @TKaneRealtor
  • Thinking that there is a better lead generation system than being a thorough, moral, hard-working agent for current clients. – Matt McBeath, real estate agent/broker

Having systems and being consistent was a common theme throughout the responses, with the mismanagement of money being a top mistake seasoned agents see rookies making. You can read all of the responses on Inman’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and even add the biggest mistakes you see rookies make that they should avoid.

Are you looking for resources for new real estate agents? Check out Inman’s The Basics to find everything a new agent needs to succeed in the real estate industry.

Jessi Healey is a freelance writer and social media manager specializing in real estate. Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

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Rookie mistakes: Mistakes newbies should avoid (2024)

FAQs

Rookie mistakes: Mistakes newbies should avoid? ›

a basic mistake, like one that a person with no experience of an activity would make: Although he's an experienced movie director, he made the rookie mistake of trying to cram too much material into a mere 100 minutes. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Faults and mistakes.

What is a typical rookie mistake? ›

These errors are so common because a bunch of other people have made them, too.
  • Rookie Mistake #1: Asking Too Many Questions. ...
  • Rookie Mistake #2: Knowing It All. ...
  • Rookie Mistake #3: Over-Explaining Everything You Do. ...
  • Rookie Mistake #4: Answering “Yes” or “No” Before Thinking.

What mistakes should be avoided? ›

  • 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Life Before It's Too Late. An important warning to your future self. ...
  • Not Saying “No” ...
  • Seeking Approval. ...
  • Being a Victim. ...
  • Too Many Mindless Distractions. ...
  • Not Being Selective Of Your Friends. ...
  • Listening to Everyone's Opinions. ...
  • Not Being Decisive.
Jan 10, 2022

What is a rookie error? ›

a basic mistake, like one that a person with no experience of an activity would make: Although he's an experienced movie director, he made the rookie mistake of trying to cram too much material into a mere 100 minutes. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Faults and mistakes.

Why is it called a rookie mistake? ›

In sports a rookie mistake is an error made by someone who has just started playing the game.

What is the meaning of classic rookie mistake? ›

A rookie is usually taken to mean an inexperienced person. A mistake is an act or judgement that is wrong. A rookie mistake is a basic mistake like one a person with no or little experience of an activity would make.

What is the rookie exception rule? ›

Rookie exception

The NBA allows teams to sign their first-round draft choices to rookie "scale" contracts even if their payroll exceeds the cap.

What are the three mistakes rule? ›

Common law has identified three different types of mistake in contract: the 'unilateral mistake', the 'mutual mistake', and the 'common mistake'.

What are innocent mistakes? ›

An innocent mistake is one made without intent.

What are the three main types of mistakes? ›

The three types of mistake recognised by the law are:
  • common mistake.
  • mutual mistake, and.
  • unilateral mistake.

Why is rookie called rookie? ›

Roy Mumme, etymologist, Florida Gulf Coast University: "Rookie" seems to be a corruption of "recruit," which derives from the Latin crescere: to grow. As in, "You gotta grow your own." It may also have been influenced by the Middle English word "rook": to cheat or swindle.

Is it rookie move or rookie mistake? ›

'a rookie mistake' is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to an error made by someone who is inexperienced or a beginner in a particular situation.

Does rookie mean beginner? ›

rookie. noun. rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē : beginner, recruit. especially : a first-year player in a professional sport.

What is the mindset of a rookie? ›

Rookies look to the outside, which often makes them more flexible and creative. It's more critical to be able to access what's in other people's heads than to keep everything in your own. In today's fast-paced world, we're constantly doing things that have no precedent.

What makes a rookie a rookie? ›

A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a rookie is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).

What is the standard rookie contract? ›

The final pick of the first round is expected to sign a deal worth $12.75 million. All first-round picks sign four-year deals, with the team having the option to extend to a fifth year.

How do you use rookie mistake in a sentence? ›

A rookie mistake, she thought: of course they were only for display. He made the rookie mistake of not undoing his seatbelt first. As expected, he made plenty of rookie mistakes. The episodes include rookie mistakes, training sessions by veteran officers, and final evaluations.

What does the NFL consider a rookie? ›

In the National Football League a rookie is any player who is in their first season playing professional football, having never signed a contract with a professional team before.

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