by Ben Meadow, Washington Real Estate Broker and Rockwell Institute Alum
I was at a point where I was just ready to start a second career. Things had run their course, and I was ready for a new challenge. I’d known several people who had become real estate agents, and it seemed like a career where my personality and skill set would translate well. And I wanted to maintain the autonomy and professional life that real estate provides. The earning potential was really attractive as well.
I got my license early in 2021. It took me a couple of years to wind down my old business. In the beginning, I was going between both careers. Now, I’m focused on real estate with Tribeca Northwest Real Estate. They have a great team approach to doing business, and there’s excellent marketing and admin support to allow agents to be agents and to go out and focus on clients.
My Experience with Rockwell Institute
I asked people I knew in the business about where to sign up for pre-licensing classes for real estate. I did a survey, and it came back 100 percent Rockwell. It just really seemed like Rockwell is the standard. Do you want to get your license fast and feel confident about going into the exam? Go to Rockwell.
I got my license during the pandemic. All courses were all online. I was highly motivated when I finally was able to crack the book. So, I just sort of dove in and got through it all. It took me about three months to do the course and the practice exams and then another month or so with scheduling the exam. I found everything easy to navigate. I felt well prepared. I like the Rockwell system. I did pass the first time, and I felt super well prepared. The exam was a little harder than I thought it would be. I remember finding out when I walked out of the testing place that a lot of people fail the first time. I called my wife, gave her the good news, and made plans to go out for dinner. I was excited and relieved.
Proud Career Moments
The first transaction is always a big one, regardless of the size of it. It was just the validation of everything – learning the methods, seeing it come to fruition, and realizing that I handled this process well. And when the time came, the client was ready to move. It was just such a special feeling.
I’m also proud to have become someone my sphere can rely on for advice and information. That has been huge. I have friends from various backgrounds, careers, and income levels. Some are established and have been homeowners and know what they’re doing regarding real estate. Others are curious, nervous, and intimidated, especially in a market like Seattle, where everything is expensive and often competitive. It feels great to be there for people. I teach homebuyer classes now through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission to educate first-time buyers, and it feels great to be a resource available to people who can help them on their way and empower them to make good decisions for themselves.
What I Tell New Agents
For anyone new to the real estate profession, this: Succeeding will take more grit than you imagine. Be ready and trust in yourself; trust in the decisions you make. Just stay with it, and the rewards and the fulfillment are there. The beginning can be scarier than most thought, but it’s a great career. Trust yourself, be open to learning, and you’ll get there.
Looking Forward
In my ideal life, I would have 25 to 30 transactions a year where everything runs smoothly. I have plenty of referrals, and I’m happy. I have time to enjoy life outside work, travel, and hang out with my wife. Eventually, I may want to get my managing broker’s license.
I am more focused on my business and being a professional now than in my past career. Real estate demands that of you. This is often the biggest transaction of people’s lives. They want to know that you’re all in, that you’re with them, that you know what you’re doing, and that you’re focused and available to them when they need you. That’s not to say I wasn’t like this in the past, but there was just a little more room to be casual and carefree. In real estate, I find you must always be present and focused on your clients and your business.
