To become a successful real estate agent, you need the right skills and mentality. Realtors are essentially small business owners, meaning you get to be your own boss. You can also earn a lot of money as the commissions for selling houses are generous. However, the real estate industry is competitive, and the best agents get to enjoy most of the spoils.
It’s not good enough to merely be a realtor. In this competitive industry, you want to be the best. So, how do you achieve that? Read on to learn what it takes to become the best real estate agent in your area.
Get the proper training and always be learning.
One thing any professional service provider can tell you is that education is everything. You don’t have to go to college to become a real estate agent, but you have a lot to learn.
The first step to becoming a real estate agent is finding the right training program. Some agencies offer real estate training programs at reasonable prices on the condition you work for them for a while.
Serhant is a prime example of a company that trains its own real estate agents. Getting training and experience from a real estate company will give you a leg up when you’re ready to go it alone.
Take a genuine interest in your clients.
The best real estate agents take a genuine interest in their clients. They learn to see themselves as friends or extended family members to their customers.
Marc De Longeville, of Marc De Longeville Real Estate, goes the extra mile to form a bond with potential customers. His first meetings with clients are often at one of his favorite cafés over iced matcha. He takes the time to get to know them before he takes them house shopping.
Getting to know your customers is something that could pay off for years. When they have a family member looking to sell or buy a home, they’re more likely to tell them, “I have a friend who’s a realtor,” and that friend would be you!
Grow your brand through marketing.
As mentioned before, being a real estate agent is like owning a small business. That means you have to put time and capital into marketing yourself.
Business cards are the most basic and affordable marketing tool. Indeed, it’s wise to have a stack of business cards to pass out everywhere you go. It’s also wise to invest in yard signs for the homes you’re selling so interested buyers know who to contact.
Having a digital marketing strategy is also essential these days. Most people do their groundwork online before taking an interest in buying a home. With that in mind, you need to devote time to building your online presence. Blogging about topics related to buying and selling a home is a great way to establish yourself as an industry expert. You could even become an industry influencer.
Focus on serious buyers.
One thing many real estate agents learn early on is how to separate pretenders from serious buyers. The key is to work only with serious buyers, as this will maximize your efforts. Your time is too valuable to devote to people who are “just looking.” Focus on finding serious buyers to prevent wasting time and energy.
Becoming a real estate agent could be a great career move for you. People will always need homes and realtors to help them find the right place within their budget. If you form relationships with your clients, market yourself properly, and stay informed on your industry, you can become the best real estate agent in your area.
