Are you considering becoming a licensed real estate agent? Do you want to find ways to boost your real estate business?
There are over 3 million actively licensed real estate agents in the US, but not everyone sticks it out for long. The real estate industry is competitive and it takes a certain kind of person to thrive as a real estate agent.
So, what sets successful real estate agents apart from the pack? We’re glad you asked.
Read on to find out what traits, skills, and tactics successful real estate agents rely on to close sales and make big money.
The Desire to Help Others
Ultimately, a real estate agent’s job is to help others. You might help a first-time buyer find the right home in their budget or a buyer who needs to find a home in a new state. You might work with sellers who need to sell fast or who want to know which investments they can make to raise their property value.
No matter what, it helps to love helping people. When you’re invested in your client’s future, it’s going to make you a better agent.
An Interest in Architecture
Some people think that being a “people person” is all it takes to become a successful real estate agent. However, it is also important that you are willing to learn about the architecture in your local market.
As a real estate agent, you are the expert in the situation. If a certain design style or feature stands out, it’s your job to highlight its value. If the construction of a property isn’t great, it’s your job to let your clients know the truth.
Great Communication Skills
When you’re a real estate agent, your work is almost entirely “client-facing.” That means that you’re going to be working with people–from your own clients to the buyers and sellers they interact with–all the time.
How well can you explain complicated subjects in a simple way? How strong is your ability to listen to someone’s needs and honor them? Communication skills are a must in the real estate industry.
Tech Savvy
Nowadays, the internet is a real estate agent’s best friend. Social media marketing your real estate business is a great way to attract new clients. Building robust real estate websites is an integral part of establishing your professionalism.
Plus, most people will look at listings online before visiting them in person. That means that you need to know how to craft solid and SEO-driven listings. Learnig the basics of SEO for WordPress is going to be a must. It also means that you need to know where to advertise.
Find more information here about the best places to share your listings to get the best results for your clients.
Strong Time-Management and Organization
The perfect house for your client can end up in someone else’s hands if you don’t act fast. It’s easy to accidentally schedule too many open houses on the same day if you don’t stay organized.
Whether you have one client or ten, you will need to stay organized and manage your time wisely. One of the perks of being a real estate agent is that you often have control over your schedule. However, that means that you need to know what it takes to get your job done each day.
Negotiation Skills
People hire real estate agents to help them make smart housing decisions. They also hire real estate agents to take some of the pressure off themselves during the buying or selling process.
Chances are, your clients will want to enter into negotiations before closing. If they’ve come to trust you as their agent, they may want you to handle negotiations for them.
Protecting your clients’ financial interests is one of the best ways to maintain positive reviews and wrack up references. Strong negotiation skills are required to ensure your buyers don’t overpay, and your sellers don’t lose out.
Patience, Honesty, and a Sense of Humor
Finally, let’s talk about some traits people often overlook when entering the real estate industry: patience, honesty, and a sense of humor.
Sometimes, the real estate market is fast-paced. Sales can close in a few short weeks when the market is high.
However, this isn’t always the case. Plus, you won’t always get to work with your dream clients. At times, you’re going to have to deal with situations and people that are difficult and even frustrating. Maintaining your patience is key to doing your job well.
Honesty is essential because, as we mentioned earlier, your clients need to be able to trust you. Most of them won’t be real estate experts themselves, which means that they need your guidance. At times, brutal honesty about housing options, a specific property, or sales prospects is necessary.
Why is a sense of humor important in real estate? Working in real estate comes with constant surprises and setbacks. It’s essential that you, as a real estate agent, can roll with the punches and maintain a positive attitude no matter what you and your clients face.
Do You Have What It Takes To Join the Ranks of Successful Real Estate Agents?
Real estate companies are growing, and they’re always looking for new agents. Do you have what it takes to join the ranks of successful real estate agents? If these qualities, traits, and tactics sound right up your alley, then you have a good shot at making it big in real estate.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to some agents and get some first-hand feedback. Just google the best real estate agents near me, read a few reviews, and reach out. You will be surprised at how many agents are more than happy to talk to you about their careers. Real estate agents are people persons, after all.
As a real estate agent, you’re only as strong as your online presence. We’re here to keep you up to speed on everything digital so that you never fall a step behind. Take a look around to find out how you can use the digital world to expand your horizons.
