Simple Steps to Ignite Your Real Estate Career

Becoming a real estate agent is an exciting career option with endless potential.  Although you have to invest time and money to become a licensed real estate agent, once you are, there are simple steps you can take to ignite your career.  Here are ten tips our team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty has put together to get you started.

#1 Find the Right Brokerage

Not all real estate companies are created equal.  You'll want to find a team that supports new real estate agents, and will help them find their footing in a fast-paced industry. Other things to consider are the company as a whole, their reputation in town, and their marketing infrastructure.  We may be biased, but in the Central Pennsylvania and Baltimore real estate markets, there is no better real estate company to start your career with than BHHS Homesale Realty.

We offer our team of REALTORS®:

• Quality reputation
• Quality recognition
• Quality training, tools, and technology
• Quality leads
• Quality benefits
• Quality protection
• Quality services
  
  

#2 Establish Yourself

You'll have some time to fill while waiting to build up a clientele. That time is best spent organizing your business and presence. Participate in activities like networking, establishing an online presence, and developing a business plan. Your website and social media channels should be thoughtful and informative, and give you the chance to present yourself as an expert and professional that people want to work with. Your business plan should include both short- and long-term goals. Networking and continued education will also help you create a presence.

#3 Find a Mentor

One thing that makes real estate so interesting is the number of different scenarios you'll encounter. It takes time to feel confident to handle them all, and even experienced REALTORS® still run into things they don't know. It can be incredibly helpful to find a mentor when first starting out to help coach and train you. Many real estate agents are willing to take "newbies" under their wings. Make sure to select someone with a reputation for success.

#4 Find your Niche

People crave working with someone who understands their needs. If you're a tech-savvy city dweller, you'll do well with a demographic that reflects that. Maybe you're a horse owner—then think about specializing in equestrian properties. You'll succeed when you find a corner of the market you're passionate/knowledgeable about.

#5 Excel at Customer Service

A fine balance exists in real estate. You want to be available and live up to your word without becoming overbearing. Remember that you're dealing with people during a very stressful time. Treat them how you'd want to be treated. Follow up on promises, and call or email back when you say you will. Common courtesy and kindness go a long way in real estate.

#6 Set Realistic Goals

The potential is there, but you do have to work for it. Set small goals to help you reach larger ones.

#7 Be Productive

When it's sunny and you have nothing critical to do, it's easy to take the morning off. Self-employment takes discipline. Every day you should put effort into building your real estate career. Have a list of tasks to accomplish each day, week, and month, and stick to it. A daily schedule is also essential.

# 8 Do Tours and Open Houses

Use any opportunity to learn more about your market and meet buyers. Go on office tours, and host open houses whenever the opportunity comes up.

#9 Go Where the Clients Are

Get out in the community and talk. Buyers and sellers are in book groups, at art walks, dog parks, and community functions. Strike up genuine conversations—you never know where it will lead.

#10 Build your Brand

You represent your company, but you're also representing yourself. Build a winning brand that portrays exactly who you are and what you uniquely offer.

To learn more about becoming a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, contact one of our local real estate offices near you.