In up markets and down, in good economies and bad, real estate auctions get results. A real estate auction is a unique selling solution many property owners either don't know about or don't understand. We need qualified sales professionals to find those sellers and present the many benefits of accelerated auction marketing.

The Opportunity
Just look around! Every piece of property you see is a potential candidate for our services. Real estate auctions offer property owners a one-of-a-kind solution with a wide variety of benefits they can't get through any other selling method. Many more sellers would choose the accelerated auction marketing strategy IF they knew about it and IF they understood it better.

As a Cates sales professional you get to focus on what you do best - selling. Our fully staffed office handles all the rest of the details from marketing your listings to producing the auction event. The property sells on the date scheduled and you receive a generous commission when escrow closes. It's that simple!

We are currently looking for sales professionals to specialize in the following real estate areas:

• Residential - general
• Residential - estates/aging population
• Luxury homes
• Commercial (office, retail, industrial, multi-family)
• Land (recreational, agricultural, development)
• Extended markets (beyond KC metro)

The Company
Founded in 1942, we are the oldest and largest auction firm in the region. We have a fully staffed professional office and specialize in the accelerated sale of real estate at auction. We don't get distracted trying to coordinate consignment auctions or handling individual personal property sales.

By keeping our focus narrow we stay on top of the constantly changing real estate market. This means our buyers and sellers get the advantages of up-to-date expertise and licensure, consultation informed by ample experience, and of course, the latest industry technology. We are a licensed real estate brokerage in Missouri and Kansas and members of key industry organizations locally and nationally.

Our VISION: The Midwest's premier real estate auction marketing firm.

Our MISSION: Bringing buyers and sellers together through accelerated auction marketing to achieve the highest value for assets in the shortest amount of time.

Our VALUES: We are a professional team dedicated to helping sellers and buyers find ultimate satisfaction in their business with us and their transactions with each other.

Click HERE for more on our company history.



The Ideal Candidate (see "Expectations" below):

• Full-time sales professional
• 5+ years demonstrated success in outside sales
• Develops and works from a solid business plan
• Financially stable
• Broad established professional network
• Highly articulate
• Completed professional level sales training

The Expectations

What You Can Expect From Us

• Generous commission sharing on a graduated scale
• A fully staffed professional office
• Fully executed marketing campaign and auction event for each property
• Customized sales collateral to help you communicate the benefits of auctions
• Printed materials
• Personalized landing page & email address
• Business cards, stationery
• Signage
• Ongoing brand awareness marketing
• Marketing support for personal business building
• Executive level support and involvement
• Training that gets results
• Weekly sales meetings that are worth your time

What We Expect From You

• Full time commitment
• Active networking, relationship building and lead-generation activities
• Willingness and ability to invest in self improvement, promotion and business building
• Ongoing development of expertise in one or more niche real estate markets
• Participation in (but not dependency on) training and coaching
• Timely reporting
• Results!

FAQs

Q: So will I be working with foreclosures and distressed properties?
A: Only if you want to. Most of our clients are private sellers with quality properties to sell. However, there is tremendous opportunity working with banks on pre-foreclosure and REO properties that need a professional auction solution.

Q: How are commissions calculated and paid?
A: At most auctions the buyer pays a 10% "buyer's premium" calculated on their high bid. This represents the commission pool shared by the Realtors involved. Cates' salespeople are paid a percentage of the company's net commission, based on a graduated scale tied to annual commissions to date. Commissions are paid immediately following the closing of escrow.

Q: Is there a salary, base or draw?
A: Possibly. Compensation plans are dependent on expertise and experience of the sales person.

Q: How is this position classified?
A: This is a full time independent contractor position.

Q: Will I be given leads to work?
A: Probably some, however financial success cannot be achieved on "house" leads alone. Sales people must spend the majority of their time developing new business which is compensated on a higher commission schedule.

Q: Are there territories?
A: Not really. Sales people focus on particular real estate niches and/or categories of sellers. In most cases this expertise and related relationships generally transcend geography.

Q: What costs would I incur?
A: We do not impose fees or required costs on our sales people for their association with our company. As an independent contractor you have personal costs for licenses, memberships, personal development, self-promotion (lead generation) and related business expenses. Your clients will fund their own auction advertising which is produced by Cates staff. We provide sales collateral, marketing support, signage, work space and a variety of other supplies and support.

Q: Do I need to be a Realtor?
A: Not initially. Real estate experience is definitely a plus and licenses in Missouri and/or Kansas will need to be acquired in order to be paid commissions on real estate sales. Your license will hang under the Cates brokerage.

Q: Can I represent a buyer or seller in a traditional real estate transaction?
A: You can perform any real estate service for which you are licensed.

Q: What about selling personal property or contents of the real estate?
A: When we sell a piece of real estate, we can also sell the contents as an added value service to the client. We do not offer personal property auction services separate from our real estate services. You do not need to have expertise in personal property sales. Only the real estate sales are eligible for commission.

Q: What sort of training is offered?
A: We offer a real estate auction orientation course and ongoing sales training. Since our sales people come with a variety of backgrounds training is tailored to meet individual needs. Regular sales meetings include a training component and OTJ/shadowing is expected.

Q: How soon before I make money?
A: How soon do you want to make money?! It is wise to assume several months of "ramp up" time at the beginning as you establish networks, build relationships and prospect. The goal is to fill the funnel and keep it that way! Once a property is listed for auction it is normal to allow 4-6 weeks for advertising prior to auction day and 4 weeks from auction to closing (payday).

Q: Tell me about the paperwork...
A: We keep it to a minimum. Your job is to sell, not fill out forms!





Apply Now
To apply or request more information send us a cover letter and resume. Click HERE or send an email to Careers@CatesAuction.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Helpful Links
Cates Homepage
National Auctioneers Association (NAA)
National Association of Realtors (NAR)
NAR Auction Information
Upcoming Cates Auctions
Past Cates Auctions
Auction Terminology Explained

Not interested in sales? Click HERE for other opportunities at Cates Auction & Realty.