Raising the Bar: Why Mentorship Matters in Real Estate

I know the stereotypes. I’ve seen the comment sections:
“Realtors are overpaid.”
“They only care about commission.”

And I’ll be honest, sometimes those criticisms aren’t wrong. I’ve crossed paths with agents who didn’t seem invested in their clients or the outcome, and that’s exactly why I do things differently.

It’s why I joined my team over a decade ago, and why I’m still here today. I got into this business to make a difference. To guide people through one of the most emotional and financially significant decisions they’ll ever make.

But over time, I realized that commitment couldn’t stop with my clients. It had to extend to the next generation of agents, too.

Here’s the hard truth: real estate licensing in California doesn’t prepare you for this job. New agents are thrown into the field with little more than a certificate and a prayer. They don’t learn how to run a business, navigate a contract under pressure, write a strong offer, or negotiate repairs that actually close the deal.

So when I find myself in a transaction with a new or inexperienced agent, I often step in—whether I intended to or not. I’ve walked agents through their own deals, answered questions that should’ve been covered in training, and stepped in to keep things on track for both sides.

It opened my eyes: the system is broken. And if I wanted it to change, I had to be part of the solution.

Mentoring new agents isn’t always easy. It takes time, energy, and a willingness to slow down in an industry that’s always pushing to go faster. But I believe in abundance. I believe there’s enough success to go around.

We don’t lift the industry—or serve our clients—by gatekeeping knowledge. We do it by sharing what we’ve learned.

If I can help shape agents who show up prepared, who care deeply, and who lead with integrity, that’s a win for all of us. Maybe we can change the way the public sees our profession… one well-prepared, well-supported agent at a time.

That’s why I became a certified mentor. I didn’t want to just accidentally help when needed; I wanted to be intentional about how I support newer agents. Mentorship isn’t about ego or control. For me, it’s about creating a safer, more informed experience for everyone involved, especially the clients we serve.