You can pass the licensure exam with the help of real estate prelicensing education. After passing the exam, there isn’t much guidance on how to become a profitable real estate salesperson. If you inquire, your instructor would likely advise that you should work hard, develop a strong clientele, network, and produce leads in addition to being adept at promoting yourself. This article outlines 10 things you can do to succeed in real estate that isn’t covered in the prelicensing program if you’d want a little more advice and insider information.
1. Place your license on the wall at the brokerage that suits you
The majority of real estate firms are always looking to hire salespeople. However, the structure, methods of operation, and philosophies of these brokers might vary greatly. To succeed as a real estate agent, you should research your alternatives before signing with any company. Make sure the real estate office you select is one you enjoy and will eventually be a good fit for you.
Scouting the area where you want to work as an agent, studying the brokers there to create a shortlist, and scheduling interviews with the brokers on your list should all be included in this process. The questions a potential employer will ask you during an interview are frequently the main focus. However, you should be prepared with interview questions when looking for the ideal brokerage. For advice on what to ask and how to conduct your additional research, look at this post, which includes a video on how to interview a broker.
2. Make a success plan and hold yourself accountable for it
You’ll need a strategy for real estate agent success once you’ve selected your brokerage. You must create a business plan and define goals. Most programs include strategies for luring new customers. You can prepare your plan with the aid of several resources.
Here are some further beneficial hints:
- Describe in one or two phrases what would motivate potential clients to hire you. Your key selling proposition is this.
- Create a budget with a focus on the tasks you believe will yield the highest return on investment. This will guarantee effective money use for the correct causes.
- Make a calendar to help with planning for networking and marketing initiatives including paid search, print mailers, social media, trade shows, and email blasts.
- Create KPIs and daily routines that are geared at assisting you in achieving your objectives.
After creating your plan, hold yourself responsible for following it.
Consider starting a career in real estate. Download the eBook titled “Starting Your Real Estate Career.”
3. Have savings that will see you through tough times
A real estate agent must have a cell phone, a car (in most regions), a computer, and wifi at the very least. Many brokerages need you to supply these goods on your own, in addition to paying other beginning charges for your business. Additionally, it can take a few months or more before you receive your first commission, so you’ll need to be ready to pay your living expenses at that time.
Therefore, start saving as much as you can right now if you plan to get your real estate license in the coming year. The best course of action is to save a little money each month to make sure you have enough money to cover your expenses for a few months, even though there is some financing available for qualified agents. Additionally, if you must withdraw funds from your savings account, aim to do it after you begin receiving commissions. Markets experience ups and downs, and there may be periods of economic hardship. It’s wise to constantly be ready.
4. Find out what your customers want, then give it to them
The natural tendency in real estate is to focus all of our efforts on sales or purchases because we believe that is what clients want. It’s not. If you give your customers the information and answers they crave, they will remember you and recommend you to others. Attend real estate continuing education and enroll in as many professional development courses as you can to become an expert. Keep in mind that experience is a terrific teacher as well, so take notes while you interact with clients and their brokers. Additionally, try contacting a person in a different industry who has more expertise than you do in a particular area. Encourage your customers to ask questions, no matter how small or large, by being knowledgeable. Promote your expertise by sharing information on social media or through emails, or inquire about writing a regular column for a regional paper, an online magazine, or a real estate publication. Hold live informational sessions or webinars because, when you collect emails and follow up with helpful information, they can generate leads. A real estate agent with a reputation for being an expert is likely to succeed.
5. Constantly seek out recommendations from everyone you know
The lifeblood of the real estate industry is referrals. The National Association of Realtors reports that 24% of sellers utilized their agents twice or more, and 39% of sellers got their agents through recommendations from friends or family. Additionally, 70% of buyers and 69% of sellers say they’d choose the same agent again. You can utilize the following advice at the start of your career and throughout it to earn recommendations:
- Ask your family and friends. Inform them that you are authorized and actively looking for buyers and sellers. Tell them you’re prepared to put in a lot of effort for anyone they recommend.
- Ask again. Once someone has recommended you to a client, ask that client to recommend you to someone else. Keep in touch with former clients so you’ll be at the top of their list if they ever need an agent again.
- Do more than you should. Hard work on behalf of clients is valued and remembered, and they’ll spread the word to their friends, coworkers, and family. Go above and beyond at all times.
- Express thankfulness. Thank each source of referrals in a letter. Think about giving your greatest sources a unique gesture of your appreciation.
6. Make the most of all networking opportunities
The art of networking may be rewarding and enjoyable. Knowing where to network and adhering to a few basic networking guidelines is all that is required. Your local chamber of commerce, networking groups, real estate meetups, expos and events like a home decorating showcase or a fair for expectant parents, volunteer groups and charity programs, your children’s school, and online groups like those on Facebook are all places that provide numerous networking opportunities. Here are some tips to help you network effectively when you’re at an event or conference. Dress formally and appropriately. You make a favorable impression if you appear professional. Also, speak less and listen more. People value expressions of care and empathy. Instead of requesting recommendations, concentrate on helping and responding to queries. Just give someone your business card after the conversation is over. Take cards from other people as well because you never know when contact can come in handy or provide a lead. And then, as soon as you can after you leave, enter any leads you have into your customer relationship management system.
7. Promote yourself like a pro—cheaper it’s than you would imagine
Real estate agent success is heavily influenced by marketing and advertising. The good news is that it needn’t be expensive. Starting with a distinctive tagline will help you stand out. After that, there are numerous ways to effectively market yourself both online and offline and reach new clients on any budget. By using their pay-per-click systems, which only charge you if someone hits your ad, you may promote on search engines without spending thousands of dollars on a banner ad. The cost for such clicks can be quite reasonable for regionally targeted keywords.
Social networking can increase your lead generation with very little financial outlay. Facebook and Twitter both provide inexpensive advertising options. Finally, complete your marketing strategy with a real estate-based ad platform where you may advertise properties, attract new clients, and more. Frequently, the benefits far outweigh the original investment.
8. Accept working on the weekends and at night
In their spare time, which is typically on weekends and evenings, people go house hunting. Both buyers and sellers anticipate that their real estate agent will be accessible for appointments, open houses, and showings on their timetables. Don’t view after-hours work as a chore. Instead, embrace it, particularly at the beginning of your career. Offer to assist other agents with weekend open houses. Because it gives them more confidence in you, let your clients know that you’re happy to be there for them whenever they need you, even if it’s at an odd hour. In extreme circumstances, it might even result in a sale in a cutthroat market or during a bidding conflict. Referrals may result from customers remembering these details and sharing them with their friends. To combine customer service with your personal life as you advance in success, you can scale it back and work one weekend day.
9. Make use of open houses to generate leads
People may claim that open houses are “not worth it” or that they don’t result in a sale. Neglect them. Open houses are powerful marketing tools because they feature sign-up sheets that produce leads. An open house only needs willing sellers, a sign, and a few hours on the weekend. Most people find it difficult to ignore an open house sign. Consequently, on the day of the open house, plan to expect traffic and a lot of inquiries. Make the most of the chance to demonstrate your skill and market knowledge. Even if you just received your license and don’t yet have a listing, an open house can still be useful. In many cases, busy, seasoned agents in brokerages are pleased to have another agent volunteer for the open house so they can focus on other tasks at that time. You can frequently follow up with those listed on the sign-in sheet after speaking with the listing agent.
10. Always check-in
Success as a real estate agent depends on following up with potential clients. As a best practice, you should always get in touch with your customer two days after showing them around a property. Additionally, you ought to follow up till your client decides what to do. If you’ve held an open house, follow up with the sign-up sheet leads by calling or emailing them a day or two later. Make a note of the names of everyone who expresses interest in purchasing or selling shortly. Then, get in touch with them again a short while later to see how things are going.
