Lawyers have the LSAT. Doctors must take the MCAT. Business school graduates must master the GMAT. All of these professions are highly respected and people spend thousands of hours and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing themselves for the opportunity to be a member of these industries.

Many times there are bar exams or medical licensing tests on the other side of these graduate programs to ensure that only the qualified get in.

And they should have rigorous requirements; because they’re the people we turn to in order to help us with tough situations. And in tough times we all want experts to advise us, right?

I don’t know many part time heart surgeons or lawyers who don’t understand basic legal issues, do you?

So if you were going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, would you want an advisor who has only spent a few classroom hours to help you with your investment? I wouldn’t either.

They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. That’s 4.81 years if you assume an average 40-hour work week.

I found the numbers below both interesting and frightening.

 

Hours required to become licensed in different industries (in Texas)

  • Nail Technician – 600 hours
  • Real Estate Agent – 210 hours
  • Massage Therapist – 800 hours
  • Air conditioning & refrigeration license – 36 months of hands-on experience
  • Cosmetologist – 1,500 hours
  • Acupuncturist – 1,860 hours           

 

Now this isn’t to say that the entire industry is comprised of nothing but under qualified people. There are tons of real estate agents all over the country who do an amazing job providing their clients a ton of value and being experts in their market. That’s one of the reasons I’m so proud to be a part of Market Experts Realty and The Todd Tramonte Home Selling Team - because I know how important all those conference calls, seminars, training sessions and market data reports that we generate are in protecting our clients and serving them the way they deserve to be served.

Next time you’re thinking of buying or selling a home don’t just call the person who sends you a refrigerator magnet every year – ask the important questions and ensure that when tough decisions need to be made that an expert is there advising you.

 

Cheers,

Matt Cafrelli

Home Buyer Specialist REALTOR ®

The Todd Tramonte Home Selling Team