How to Become a Real Estate Agent: 7 Essential Career Tips

If you’ve done any research on how to become a real estate agent, you’re probably stressing out over the real estate agent test. That’s our natural instinct, right? To feel a little afraid over something that could bar us from entry into something we really want to do.

But that might be the easiest part of becoming a real estate agent. In fact, there’s a lot more to it than you might think. And just because you can ace a test and have a license in your hand doesn’t mean that you’ll find success as a real estate agent.

So if you’re not sure how to become a real estate agent, and be successful at it, keep reading. We’ll give you our seven insider secrets to help you on your way.

1. Give Yourself a Pillow

If you currently work a steady job that provides the source of most of your income, you’re going to want to make sure that you save. It’s a good idea to give yourself enough money that you will be able to survive for at least six months without any more income.

As we mentioned, it takes a while to find success as a real estate agent. There is some lag in the beginning when you first start up.

But it doesn’t end there. Even when you get established, there can be lulls in the business. You need to get in the habit of keeping up with your bills and relying only on the money that you currently have instead of the money that you think you might get.

Deals fall through, issues come up, and the last thing you want is to find yourself failing because you’re living above your means.

2. Get Help

There is no place for ego in the real estate business. There’s no way for you to go it alone and still be successful.

Right in the beginning, you should find an agent or a broker with some success in the real estate industry and use them as your mentor. You can ask them to help you or ask if you can help them during their deals, just as a means to learn.

Because there is a whole lot to learn about real estate, and selling is just the beginning. Do you understand deeds, encumbrances, surveys, liens, and title insurance? Because you’re going to need to know the ins and outs of all of those and more when you get started.

You should ease your entrance into this industry by finding something skilled and qualified to help you.

And just like with our last tip, you should continue this advice through your career.

You should always be willing and able to ask your peers for help when you come across an issue. This is a huge part of working in this industry no matter where you are. And if you can’t ask for help, you’re going to run into issues down the line.

3. Build Your Sphere of Influence

This goes hand in hand with our last tip. As you’re reaching out and asking others for help, work on creating lifelong relationships with everyone you work with.

In your career as a real estate agent, you’re going to want buyers and sellers in your back pocket, but that’s not all. You want investors, loan officers, title companies, appraisers, mortgage brokers, and a whole host of other professionals on your side for when the need arises.

File away every contact you make and follow up with them. It’ll save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

4. Keep Up with the Times

You need the internet to run a successful real estate business. That’s not up for debate anymore.

There are real estate agents out there who have contacts so deep and so wide that they never have to fish for clients. They consistently have referrals to count on.

But if you’re just starting out, you have to make use of the technology out there. Create a website and use your social media to attract customers. A web presence will make all the difference.

5. Consider Your Brokerage Options

When you have a license to sell real estate, that doesn’t mean that you can act independently. Real estate agents work underneath larger brokerage companies.

It’s a good idea to find the brokerage you want to work with early on in the process before you take the exam. Before you can get your license, your broker will have to complete paperwork with the state.

However, the tides are starting to change and more and more people find success without the help of a large brokerage. You can learn more from this website.

6. Stay Out of Sales Mode

There’s a thin line between being friendly and being pushy when it comes to selling real estate. A good way to avoid this is to think of yourself as a consultant rather than a salesperson.

This is great news for people who don’t consider themselves salespeople. But it does mean that some of your other skills need a solid brush up.

Learn how to take compelling pictures and write beautiful descriptions of the houses you want to sell. Learn more about online marketing and how to use your website to earn you clients. But don’t make your clients uncomfortable with pushy sales pitches.

7. Develop Your Business Plan

Just like with any other business, you need a plan when you go into real estate. It’s great to be enthusiastic and excited to get started, but you don’t want that same enthusiasm to be a detriment to you.

You need to sit down and plan your business, and your budget, out and stick to both.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent

The basics of how to become a real estate agent are pretty simple. You study for an exam, take your pre-exam classes, and you pass the exam. But it takes a lot more than that to be a successful real estate agent.

But with a little determination and a willingness to be open to help and diligent with your money, you can be a successful real estate agent.

If you’re looking for information about how to market your business and grow your brand, visit us today!