What does it take to make a successful career in real estate? Our Career Development Team could write a book on the subject, but for now we'll keep it brief. Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty is known across the central Pennsylvania and Baltimore real estate markets, and we've discovered a few tips and tricks that will make it much easier to become a real estate agent – and a successful one at that.

1. Set Goals
   The biggest mistake you can make when you start out in any new business is not having a business plan. Set goals for yourself, both short-term and long-term, and do what it takes to achieve them. For many real estate agents, that means establishing a routine. Set aside time each day (or each week) for important tasks like building client relationships, working on marketing, and the most dreaded of all: cold calling. Your goals will never be accomplished if you never set any.
   
   
2. Be Self-Motivated
   Some people become a real estate agent for the freedom it offers, but freedom is a double-edged sword. Being self-motivated is one of the most important keys to success, because even if you're working as a part of a real estate team, your own hustle and drive are still some of the biggest contributors to your success, or lack thereof.
   
   
3. Put Your Clients First
   Some of the best tools you can have at your disposal are good listening skills, the ability to work well with others, and dedication to your customers. Remember that real estate is in the service industry – the operative word there being service – which means that you will be more successful if you put your clients' needs first. If you want to get more clients and keep the ones you have, the best way to do that is to be the type of real estate agent that clients love to work with.
   
   
4. Be Realistic
   We're not saying you shouldn't aim high, but it's easy to become disillusioned during your first year if your goals are too lofty. Understand that it takes time to build a thriving career in real estate, so don't make rookie mistakes like spending too much on marketing right out of the gate, or losing your enthusiasm when you hit your first roadblock.
   
   
5. Network, Network, Network
   We can't say it enough times: network. Building relationships is crucial to success, and that old adage, "it's not what you know, it's who you know," is mostly true. And while it's absolutely essential to network with clients, customers and prospects face-to-face, these days many relationships are made online. Networking and marketing online and through social media has never been more important, with 99 percent of millennial buyers – the fastest-growing segment of the market – using the internet in the home search process, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
   
   
6. Find the Right Real Estate Company
   When you're first starting out, finding the right real estate company to work with makes all the difference in the world.  If you live in the central Pennsylvania and Baltimore real estate areas, talk to one of our Career Development Directors to find out if joining BHHS Homesale Realty might be the right fit for you.

When you join BHHS Homesale Realty, you gain the advantage of not only being part of a great team, but also having access to cutting edge marketing tools. So if you've been thinking about how to become a real estate agent, it's time to stop thinking and start doing. Contact us today to learn more about joining the BHHS Homesale Realty team and succeeding in your real estate career.