Real Estate covers a lot of territory Evelyn Johnston, no pun intended. After 40+ years the comfort level has risen in almost all aspects of the business. Being "totally confident" is subjective though since that proverbial curve ball always seems to be in play. Wouldn't want it any other way!  

Evelyn Johnston confidence is from day one until now.

Don't get me wrong - it's the confidence and not the complete knowledge.

You may not know all - however, you know someone who can help you get the answers to everything if possible. ActiveRain network is one of the places I look at when I don't have the answer. One of these 265,000+ members surely would know the answer.

And this is the platform where I learn something new - everyday!

I will let you know when I get there.  :)  I am on year 9 now.

Six years later and I am still learning.  I pick up a little knowledge with every transaction I am involved

Evelyn, this is a very nuanced profession, and it takes at least a decade, and even after that, I haven't stopped learning.  You never do.

I began to feel more confident after several years. As Realtors, we are on a constant learning curve, as all transactions are unique. With each transaction, we add to the confidence bank.  Active Rain plays an enormous role in building confidence through the sharing of information.

4 - but with a grain of salt. There is always something different/new happening and I am always learning. I don't think in this field 100% confidence without any questions, is possible.

I would never say that I am totally confident, as I am always learning and making adjustments, even after 37 years as I change, my business changes, and the real estate industry and life is constantly changing. Keeping educated and informed and willing to adjust and change is the best way for me to have increasing confidence.

Confidence is critical.  Somewhere around the five year point, I felt that inner confidence that I could handle most anything thrown my way.  As a newer agent, I remember being intimidated by the more experienced "top producers". That feeling of intimidation has pretty much passed as now I'm experienced and friends with most of these agents.  The beauty and joy of this profession is that you never stop learning.  There is always something new to keep you on your toes. 

On the mortgage side - I had a ton of confidence day 1.  But that turned out to be only because I had no idea how much I didn't know.

Took me probably 3-4 years before I knew I was good at what I do.

3 to 4 but it also matters how many transactions you do.

Listen to Hank lol, who practices by hours? Like a pilot?

Dear Evelyn,

Real estate is never dull, so you never stop learning. I might feel reasonably confident about many situations, but there is always turbulence keeping your hands firmly on the yoke.

I would say at least 5 years, but things have changed so much just since the latest housing crisis, sometimes I feel like we had to start all over again i.e short sales, foreclosures, REOs, lending changes, and now more lending changes. Every day seems like a new day sometimes, and I am 24 years into it !

10,000 hours at least.

If you're a full time agent it's not just time - it's transactions as well. It's a combo because you cannot make up the real word issues.

I've been appraising and selling full time since '89, just had a head scratcher the other day so the leaning never ends

I started in the business by opening an office. I was confident from day one but had a lot to learn.

At least two years, Evelyn. I've always said you need to get a critical mass of transactions under your belt before you stop feeling like a fraud.

I would say after about 3 or 4 years.  I entered in a fast moving market, so I got a lot of experience right away. 

It probably took me 5 years to feel I could handle most anything that came my way - and that my judgment was strong.

It took me about 10 years.  Oops, I'm not there yet, but I'm enjoying the life.

Day one.

I am still an assistant.

Just a couple of years! I work hard!

I had a Mentor named Don White who must of saw potential in me because he just took me under his Wings the day he met me, and told me if I don't remember anything else I learn from him, remember this one thing, he told me to keep telling myself I AM THE EXPERT.  That little gift gave me the confidence to be bold in serving my Valued Clients.  I said it over and over again to myself until the doubt left me, and I believed it for myself.  I made mistakes along the way in transactions, but realized early Valued Clients depended on my hanging in there with them, and getting them to the finish line.

The first company I started with gave no training, the Broker was NEVER in. You were pretty much left to the wolves.  I was told "there are the keys, go visit the inventory". This was back in 1995, the day of the dinosaur computers, too.

Realistically, after finding the right company, it took about 2 years.  I received superior training and support.  I wasn't afraid to talk to people, so I started door knocking everyday.  When you have the educational and training backing you, it's hard not to feel confident.  Sure I doubt myself from time to time, but for the most part I am confident.

Each transaction has it's quirks and turns and every once in a while some thing will surprise you and you sit back and say, wow that was easy! Most of the time there is a challege and it is time to put another notch on your belt.

I have been doing this forever and for the most part I'm very confident but there is so much involved in a transaction so I never rest on my laurels

Let's see now...... 5-1/2 years and counting.  Just kidding.  Probably 3 years

Over a span of 19 years I was an agent and then a broker/owner. I don't know that I ever felt totally confident. There was always something new coming around the corner.

I agree with some of the comments that confidence comes with transactions.  A newer agent who closes quite a few deals will be head and shoulders above an agent who has years on the job but few transactions

It depends on your prior experience, however, your question isn't about experience, it's about being confident or fearless. So, you either are confident immediately or you have to gain it day after day. You don't have to know all the answers or most suitable solutions, you just need the resources to get the solutions, either from a mentor or other dependable resource. 

Reblog this in a year or so please. I've neen at it full time for almost 8 years and I can't answer yet.