How Do I Become a Successful Real Estate Agent?

Becoming a top real estate agent requires a combination of education, hard work, and business savvy. Most of all, it takes time, lots of time. But don't despair! There's actually a pretty simple game plan.

Here you'll find the basic steps you can take in order to forge your own successful real estate career.

‍

Get licensed

In most states, you must obtain a real estate license to work as an agent. This usually requires completing a certain number of instructional courses and passing your state's exam. The exact requirements vary by state. Additionally, you may want to join professional trade organizations to bolster your credibility (NAR, the National Association of Realtors, is a great start!).

Because residential real estate can be such a lucrative career, there are thousand of licenses awarded each year. So don't start thinking you're on easy street just because you've become a licensed real estate agent. There's much more work to do.

‍

‍

Build your network -- Including Mentors

For real estate professionals, your network of contacts will be a valuable asset. Past clients, other real estate agents, mortgage brokers -- everyone you come into contact with will continue to grow (or shrink) your sphere of influence depending on the quality of your interactions with them. So you need your network to be large but also positive. It's critical for new real estate agents to establish your personal brand as you're building relationships.

Of course, the most important relationship rookie agents can cultivate is that with their mentor. One trait of successful realtors is that they all learned from experience underneath the umbrella of experienced agents at their brokerage firm. Getting a first-hand look at how successful agents conduct their business, generate leads, and provide great customer service will give new agents skills for a lifetime. Just as important though, is getting exposure to current clients and community events in the local area. Few home buyers and sellers are willing to let a newbie agent handle their real estate transactions, which is advisable, so it's tough for fresh agents to land prospective clients on their own. But if you work as a junior member and an accomplished team, you can create a pathway to one day become your own boss.

‍

‍

Develop your marketing skills

As a new real estate agent, you will market both yourself and your listings to potential buyers and sellers. Even if you're working on a successful agent's team, you need to formulate a flexible business plan for how to grow your business. First you may ideate numerous marketing strategies before narrowing down your list of tactics. Then you can being to produce marketing materials (paying attention to the business expenses incurred by each channel or activation). Because it can be difficult to disrupt an established business relationship offline, you may find value in targeting homeowners and buyers by creating a strong online presence. The growth of PropTech websites have changed the game for lead generation strategies and marketing services. Social media marketing can be just as powerful as traditional marketing efforts.

It is highly recommended for rookie agents to stay up to date on industry trends. We are biased, but we believe all agents should know about TrueParity's impact on real estate marketing. As a platform that brings real listings, not tepid leads, to established agents -- TrueParity is the among most efficient marketing tools for the modern agent.

‍

‍

Be responsive and reliable

To build a successful real estate business, you will need to be responsive to your clients' needs and reliable in following through on tasks. This includes returning calls and emails promptly, showing properties at the requested times, and being punctual for meetings.

A successful agent excels when other agents give them an opportunity to do so. We've already covered the benefits for a licensed agent working on real estate deals underneath a veteran broker. But it's also worth mentioning that real estate success comes when a competitor slips up. If you can build relationships in the local market, potential clients will always find you. It doesn't matter if you're at a massive firm or a small business, reputation matters. Always act ethically and always follow through on your word.

‍

‍

Continuously improve your skills

In order to stay competitive in the real estate business, it is important to continuously improve your skills and knowledge. A successful real estate agent remains dedicated to their craft as they level up. Even established agents remains humble enough to constantly attend new training programs and networking events.

Continuing education is a lifelong affair. Consider taking additional education courses, joining industry organizations, and seeking out opportunities for professional development. Whether you own your own real estate business and operating on your own schedule, or you're a brand new agent, everyone can improve.

‍

‍

Planning on using these helpful tips to launch your own business in the real estate industry? Bookmark this page.

Know homeowners that want to receive listing proposals from successful real estate agents? Tell them to post their home on TrueParity for free.