Real Estate Agent in

Todays Market

SOCCCD Collaborative 2009-2010

CTE Grant Funded Externship

By: Todd Hoffman

Multiple Subject Elementary Education Teacher

Capistrano Unified School District

This externship was with Capitis Realty in

Palm Springs, California
March 2010

The Real Estate Agent

Robert Parham

Robert Parham has been a licensed realtor for eight years. He

has seen technology become a major factor in becoming a
successful agent. Later in the presentation technology and its
role in real estate will be further examined.

Besides technology, people skills play a vital role. Patience, and

being an excellent listener along with collaboration skills all make
Mr. Parham a successful agent. He concentrates his business in
the Coachella Valley, but has experience and success in other
markets within the southern California area.

Robert Parham works with

Capitis Realty

Whether you are buying or selling, CAPITIS REAL ESTATE offers creative
marketing concepts and services to allow you to take full advantage of
todays Real Estate opportunities.

From finding revenue generating investment opportunities to the home of

your dreams, your CAPITIS REAL ESTATE Team of local experts are with
you every step of the way.

When you are looking to buy a home or sell a property in a vacation rental
destination, it takes a special team who understands the unique
opportunities and benefits in these locations.

CAPITIS REAL ESTATE offers experienced Agents who are fully trained with
working in a Vacation destination environment, and has produced unique
and effective programs that offer you a step up in finding or selling your
home.

My Goal
My goal for this externship was to shadow a professional real
estate agent in todays market and observe what skills are
needed, in particular what technological skills and knowledge
are required to make a successful agent.
Here is what I learned:

Ready, Get Set, Go Go Go!

Buying or selling a house or condominium is one of the biggest decisions of a

persons life, and real estate agents and brokers help people negotiate what can
be a confusing process.
When someone wants to sell or rent his property she usually calls a real estate
agent. A large chunk of the real estate agents day may be spent on the phone
obtaining listings for his agency. The agent also arranges to advertise the
properties he is showing and may visit each property before it is shown to
clients. He needs to know about everything from floor plans to heating systems
to septic systems - hes a matchmaker, and hes got to know all sides of the
equation.
Its also important for an agent to be familiar with the neighborhoods he works in,
so he can counsel his clients about the propertys fair market value. A good real
estate agent is informed about things wide ranging as school ratings, tax rates or
public transportation as well as being fully aware of the going mortgage rates.
Negotiating skills are not just important but critical for real estate agents.
Networking is a big part of the job - most real estate agents develop a group of
attorneys, mortgage lenders and contractors to whom they refer their clients.

 Before you can use the title, Realtor you must have
a real estate license and become a member of the
National Association of Realtors. Every state requires
that a broker or agent undergo a series of
examinations and log some experience before he is
granted this license. Continued education is required
every few years to maintain the certification.
Many real estate boards offer preparatory classes.
But each state has its own test. So should you wish
to work in a different state, youve got to pass their
exam.

Mr. Parhams Day -Morning

Started at 7:00 a.m. picking up email and
voice mail and formatting electronic property
brochures.
9:00 a.m.- Edited virtual tours and booking
print advertisement for the coming weekends
public open houses.
11:30 a.m.- Met with prospective client and
compiled list of properties that met his
description.

Mr. Parhams Day - Afternoon

1:00 PM- Worked on staging a new listing.
2:00 PM- Returned phone calls, faxed
documents, wrote a copy for a new listing.
3:30 PM- Organized a multi-day tour property
tour with incoming relocation buyers.

Mr. Parhams Day-Evening

5:00 PM- Confirmed appointments for the
following day.
6:00PM- Received a counter-offer on a
purchase contract. Worked on the details with
client via phone to discuss counter offer.
7:15 PM- Left office with paperwork and cell
phone in hand.

Technological Evolution
While people skills remain a very
important skill, I learned that in order to
be competitive in todays real estate
market one must be able to utilize
technology as a tool in this field.

Necessary Tools
During my externship I was able to
compile a list of the most necessary
tech tools:
1. Internet: Information is instantly available.
2. Email: Able to respond to sellers and buyers
immediately.
3. MLS 2.0: A very advanced system with links
to tax information, schools, neighborhoods,
financing and other valuable information.
There is no need to go out and see properties
unless buyer is interested in specific homes.

Tools continued
3. MLS 2.0 also allows the consumer to access
this information which empowers them to their
own research freeing up valuable time for the
agent.
4. Cell Phones- much research can be done on
the phones and has instant communication
5. GPS- used to have to look up homes in the
Thomas Guide, now able to enter in address
and directions are given in car.

Tools.
Electronic Lock Boxes- actually have cell
phones built into them. Allows agent
access to sellers homes in a safe and
secure manner. Also records which
agents have seen the home so they can
be followed up on in a professional
manner.

Tools
6. Zip Forms Software- Has all 200 forms on line
that are needed in a transaction. Agents can
keep track of paperwork and signatures.
7. Fan Pages- Becoming more popular as it is
widely accepted and preferred (Facebook) to
utilize a Fan Page for promoting your
business and sharing comprehensive listing
data.
8. Showing Suite- All-in-one real estate
productivity software that automates tasks.

Much Thanks!
Mr. Robert Parham for allowing me to
learn from him and to take time to help
me fulfill the requirements for the
externship.
Capitis Realty, Palm Springs, CA
Boker Yaruss- Coldwell Banker, Rancho
Santa Margarita , CA.

To End
Thank you to SOCCCD and the CTE
Grant Funded Externship for providing
this opportunity to learn and grow as a
professional.