19 Jul Apprentice Questions: Value as a Young Agent

Today’s Question is from Laurie Badeaux in our Lafayette, LA office. Mathew Laborde, President & CEO at ELIFIN®, shares his insight.

Laurie: What is a good response when a prospect has doubts about your age and/or experience?

Mathew: Let’s say I’m on a prospect call and someone asks me, “Hey, how long have you been doing this?”

First, I would tell them exactly how long I’ve been in the business, whether it’s one day or one year. I would say, “Look, I’ve been in the business for one day, but I’m pounding the pavement, and I promise you, if we work together, there is no one who will work harder than me to accomplish your objectives.”

I got into the business at 19, very green. Part of the value you bring as a young agent is your hunger and speed. Many people hire a commercial real estate agent because of these qualities. When you’re new to the business, you have all the hunger in the world. This is often very different from someone who has been in the business for 10 years.

Usually, our clients are successful business owners and investors. They need someone who is going to go out there with the hunger to get things done. That’s what you can offer them, and that’s how you can win business.

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ELIFIN® apprentices are encouraged to be curious and ask questions to get the most out of the program. “Being an apprentice is different than being an intern,” says Laborde. “It’s more exclusive. It’s more substantial.” ELIFIN® apprentices dig into hands-on work from day one, getting experience that sets them apart in the commercial real estate industry and beyond.