Tis the season when your thoughts turn to the future. Since you are reading this, there is a better than even chance you are thinking about pursuing a new career in real estate. You are probably also asking yourself, "Why Homesale Realty?" 

You' are not alone and more than 90% of all real estate agents in the United States started in other careers. While you may be eager to jump right in, there are some steps you need to take and some things you need to consider before joining our team.  

Identifying Your Assets

Your assets include your research skills, professional experience, and business acumen. These are your foundation. However, success in real estate requires more. As a real estate agent, you must understand human psychology, marketing, branding, negotiation strategies, architecture, interior design, and much more.

As a real estate agent, you will become a perpetual student. Every day will be about improving your existing skills. When you are not practicing what you know, you will dedicate yourself to developing new skills to help you provide the level of customer service that your clients desire.

Preparing for Licensure

Real estate agents are required to complete state-mandated training programs. The length and cost of these programs vary from state to state. They can be as short as a few weeks or as long as a few months. At the end of the training program, you will have a broad understanding of state and federal regulations, applicable laws, and your responsibilities as a real estate agent. 

When your studies are complete, you must pass your state's real estate exam. These exams are typically multiple choice and individuals are required to answer 70-75% of the questions correctly to pass.

Prepare Yourself for Your New Career

All states require new real estate agents to start work alongside an established real estate broker. Some states even require for this sponsorship relationship to be established before the individual taking the real estate exam. When choosing a broker, you want to select an experienced team with the skills and experience that can help you develop your career and achieve your goals. 

Before you start, you will want to save up a nest egg that you can fall back on until commissions start rolling in. A good rule of thumb is to stash 3-4 months away to cover your expenses. It is crucial to becoming a master at budgets and revenue projections because a lack of sufficient funds is the most common cause of failure in the real estate industry. 

Motivation & Preparation Determine Success

Motivated agents who are well-prepared when they first meet a client are successful real estate agents. As a real estate agent, your days will be spent making new contacts and following up on leads.

You will be preparing marketing materials and investing countless hours researching market trends. Each day, you will strengthen your knowledge of regulations and discuss real estate listings with prospective clients.

It is hard work. However, motivated agents find that it is work they love doing. Those individuals who can keep moving forward and adjust their activities as the market shifts are the real estate agents who succeed.   

Contact BHHS Homesale Realty to speak with our real estate team. It would be our pleasure to tell you more about the qualifications and skills our agents in Pennsylvania and Maryland bring to the table and the ways we help them succeed.