A career in real estate can be an excellent choice for the right person. But, let’s be frank: not everyone is cut out to succeed in the field.
For starters: real estate agents need tenacity, drive, and the ability to relate to people.
If you want to go far as a real estate agent, you’ll need to cultivate these five important skills:
1. Communication
There’s no way around it: you’ll need to be a great communicator to have a career in real estate.
People shopping for homes want an agent who will really listen to what they need, understand their hopes and dreams, and then help them translate that into a great buying experience.
What does that mean in real life? That will be up to you to determine, but you should remember that people communicate in a variety of ways.
Be prepared to be accessible, too. Provide clients with your contact information and the hours you are available.
Yes, you might like the scheduling flexibility of real estate, but it will probably mean working evenings and weekends when many other people are available to go house hunting.
2. Local Area Expertise
Have you lived in the same place most or all of your life?
You might be considered an expert on the local scene. Of course, you may only be aware of what interests you, too, so be careful making that assumption. Sometimes people who move to a new area work harder to learn about their new home and can provide a wealth of information.
Local experts have in-depth knowledge of the people, places, and activities that make up a town or city. They will also have a good understanding of rules and regulations that govern life in the area.
This is especially important if you are working with folks who are moving into a new area. Consider these places that are important for newcomers:
- Medical facilities like doctors offices and hospitals
- Schools and daycare centers for families with children
- Parks, sports fields, and walking or biking trails
- Coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants offering local flavor
- Entertainment venues or nightlife scenes
3. The Ability To Sell
You can know everything there is to know about a town, but if you can’t close a sale, you won’t succeed in real estate.
The best real estate agents are masters in the art of selling. They can listen to your needs, pinpoint what will meet them, and help you find the home that brings it all together.
Luckily, this is something that can be taught. Besides, you probably already sell unofficially each and every day without even realizing it. If you have ever convinced someone to do what you want instead of what they do, you have sold them on an idea.
Be sure you understand what selling really means, and then take the time to learn how to be a good salesperson on a professional level. Develop your own style and sales personality. It will pay off when you start earning commissions on house sales.
4. Honesty and Integrity
Sometimes salespeople get a bad reputation as unethical and dishonest.
Rise above that stereotype and show people that a real estate professional always uses ethical practices. Remain transparent in everything you do so that clients can find reassurance in your honesty.
Be willing to work hard for your clients. This will show them you care about their success, whether that is in buying or selling a home. You are a partner in the process, and a successful agent will put in the effort a partner should.
5. Technological Ability
Homebuyers are increasingly turning to technology to help them find the home of their dreams. That doesn’t mean real estate agents have to be left out of the picture.
Instead, position yourself as a leader in using technology to help improve sellers’ chances of finding a buyer, and help those buyers navigate listings they see online.
Take aerial videos of properties with drones, use editing effects to produce photos that tell a story, and reach an amazingly wide audience by marketing through the internet.
The skills that can help you succeed in real estate can help you in a wide range of careers. Be honest in your assessment of your skills. If you are lacking in one area, work to cultivate those abilities to improve your chances of finding a rewarding and fulfilling career in real estate.
