You have always been keen on becoming a real estate agent but you remain uncertain whether or not it is the best job for you? Moreover, you are unsure of how to be a real estate agent, especially a good one?
Well, rest assured you can become as successful as ever as a real estate agent as long as you put the time, effort, and drive into this endeavor. A real estate agent is a licensed professional and an adviser who represents buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. A real estate agent does not only possess an abundance of knowledge but also enjoys a wide pool of contacts. This has enabled him/her to score continuous and overflowing transactions. Becoming a real estate agent, furthermore, means that you will be making good buck while enjoying the freedom to choose however you want to run your real estate deals. If you have been in real estate and have decided to take on a career as a real estate agent, unfold this article further to learn and apply. First, we explain how to be a real estate agent, then we go on to propose some useful tips that will turn your career into an embellishment.
How to Be a Real Estate Agent
Below we summarize the main steps that you shall take in order to understand how to be a real estate agent.
How to Be a Real Estate Agent Step #1: Do a Lot of Research
Read books, seek out advice from current real estate agents and brokers, and talk to real estate attorneys. Doing your research will help you understand the real estate market and assess the way of how to be a real estate agent, a successful and leading one.
Related: How Can Obtaining a Real Estate License Boost Your Real Estate Investing Business?
How to Be a Real Estate Agent Step #2: Pre-Licensing Course and Exam
Real estate laws and requirements vary state by state. In order to become a legal real estate agent, you must be aware of the pre-licensing training requirements. The amount of training hours required to be eligible to take the exam depends on the state, ranging between 70 and 180. Following the training is the actual exam. 90 minutes long, the exam assesses how well you know federal real estate laws and general real estate principles. The passing score generally differs by state but wavers around 70%. Boom, here you got it. What’s next?
How to Be a Real Estate Agent Step #3: Find a Brokerage
Real estate agents must work in a brokerage, as required by the state. Finding a brokerage that aligns with your needs and personality becomes of utmost importance. Assess your options and study them thoroughly before selecting a brokerage.
Having explained the procedures on how to be a real estate agent, we now propose some useful tips that could further expedite your career within a brokerage.
Tip #1: Maintain a Professional Image
The way you present yourself to clients can make or break a deal. Make sure to look neat; tidy clothing, well kept hair, and reasonable makeup if needed portray positive body language. Moreover, make eye contact, articulate well, engage in phone calls, and prepare error-free written communications. You should always strive to maintain an excellent professional image in front of your clients. Your interaction on social media, moreover, can greatly influence your reputation. Today with the abundant social media platforms, tracking one’s profile becomes inevitable. Beware of your presence in and out of your career in real estate.
Tip #2: Marketing
As you develop a plan for your business, marketing becomes one of the main factors that will contribute to your success. Make sure to make a budget for your new job and factor in marketing as one of the expenses because reaching out to existing and potential clients requires that you put adequate amount of effort in order to create success out of a license. These marketing efforts include making business cards, postcards, property flyers, brochures, email campaigns, and animated home tours. The more marketing strategies that you invest in, the more attractive your deals will look.
Related: How to Find a Real Estate Agent for Investment Properties
Tip #3: Consider Becoming a Realtor
Becoming a realtor will add more credibility to your resume. A realtor is a trademarked term describing a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. In order to become one, you must join your local real estate board or association, take an online course on the ethics code, and pass an exam. For more information, visit the NAR website.
Tip #4: Make Use of Technology
We are amidst the fourth industrial revolution; technology has been advancing as ever, so take advantage of this. The Internet and technology will be another tool that will help you organize and promote your business. Consider making yourself a website (if you aren’t working within a brokerage), and utilize every app relevant out there. Open Home Pro, for example, allows you to run an open house on your iPad. Keep an eye out for any tool that the Internet has and continue to provide to facilitate and add on to your career as a real estate agent.
Tip #5: KNOWLEDGE
Ever wondered how to be a real estate agent, the best in the area? Then ensure to continuously educate yourself. The key to a prosperous career is your passion and desire to study and constantly update your knowledge base. Keep up to date on trends and issues in real estate, because after all a real estate agent’s job is to educate clients. How could one do so without educating oneself first?!
Related: How to Become a Successful Real Estate Agent
Whether it is accumulating and constantly updating your knowledge base, becoming a realtor, or making use of technology, becoming a successful real estate agent in your area requires that you become very meticulous to the surroundings. You need to fully comprehend the local real estate market and be up to date with the latest trends. Ensure that you follow our advice to achieve big goals.
