Considering stepping into the world of real estate as your career? Becoming a real estate agent can be a fulfilling journey that opens many doors of opportunity. While your journey to becoming a real estate agent won’t look exactly like your peers’, the process is a structured one. If you’re someone with an interest in sales, a passion for property, and looking for a dynamic career, keep reading. This guide will walk you through everything from where to start, the basic requirements to claim the title, the multifaceted skillset you’ll need to develop, and pro tips for building a successful real estate business.

Step inside and explore everything you can expect before buying this property – I mean… becoming a real estate agent! 

Requirements: What it Takes to Become a Real Estate Agent

First things first. Let’s walk through the minimum requirements for prospective real estate agents.

1. Age: You will need to be at least 18 years old to become a real estate agent. 
2. Education: At a minimum, real estate agents will need a high school diploma or equivalent to commence the journey. 
3. Pre-license education: Each U.S. state has a different pre-license course requirement. But regardless of where you decide to get licensed, to become a real estate agent, you will need to enroll in a real estate course from an accredited school.
4. Real-estate licensing exam: Once you’ve completed the necessary course requirements, get ready for the big exam! Again, it will vary by state, but you can generally expect to be tested on real estate laws, basic principles, ethical standards, property management, and more. 
5. Additional certifications: Some agents decide to get additional certifications to become specialized in a particular type of real estate, such as luxury, residential, or commercial. While completely optional, specialization can open up more opportunities for an agent in the market by demonstrating greater credibility. 

Having a baseline understanding of the requirements for becoming a licensed real estate agent is critical. Remembering that there’s so much more to building a prosperous real estate career than passing the licensing exam is important. 

Choosing a Real Estate Broker 

Once you’ve secured your real estate license, the next major step is to choose a broker. This is a crucial decision — one that has the potential to shape your career in real estate! 

So why exactly is this a big deal? Your broker will act as a guiding mentor. What you’ll learn from your real estate broker is in many ways more important than what you studied in the books before licensing. They will show you the ropes of real estate, pass along their knowledge and experience, and get you started with your first clients. 

When it’s time to start finding somewhere to work, start by gathering a list of all brokerages in your area. First, start narrowing down the list by who’s hiring and which specific niche of real estate you want to focus on. Moreover, here are some criteria to consider when evaluating a potential  broker: 

• Do they have a positive reputation in the market? Do some research – check out their online reviews, and confer with any other agents you know. 
• Do they offer training for new agents? Think about if you’d prefer to start off with some training. Maybe you’re more of a “dive-right-in” kind of worker. But it’s something to consider. 
• Do they align with your career goals & values? Office environment is important. Be sure to have an understanding of how the brokerage operates culturally, and that it will support your growth in the real estate profession. 

No one can tell you exactly which broker is right for you because it’s all up to your personal preferences. But we can emphasize how crucial it is to be diligent and strategic in choosing to set yourself up for success in becoming a successful real estate agent. 

Your Real Estate Identity: Essential Skills & Building a Brand 

Now it’s time to get into the good stuff – how you can set yourself on a path to a thriving real estate career. In order to become a successful real estate agent, you’ll need to focus on 2 key things: 

1. Developing a robust skillset. While you’ll continue to build skills throughout your career, you should prioritize honing key skills early on. Here are a couple to focus on: 

• Communication – Building trust with your clientele, and working well with other agents requires clear communication. More than that, great conversation skills are a must in a client-facing role. Practice with your friends & family with role-playing exercises to make sure you’re confident in winning over any and every type of client. 
• Negotiation – Learn how to find a middle ground. Getting your clients the best possible deals is how you’ll begin strengthening your reputation. (Hint: Great communication makes for better negotiation skills.) 
• Market Analysis – Be up to date – or better yet, ahead – of the property market. You should know the ins and outs of market trends, and be ready to answer any questions your clients may have. 

2. Crafting a unique brand for your real estate business. Creating an attractive and trustworthy brand is key to bringing in new clients and maintaining steady business growth. 

• Get your name out there. Before they can believe you’re the best real estate agent in town, people have to know who you are. Lean into social media to establish an online presence. Through platforms like Instagram & TikTok, you can share your market insights and personality, and connect with potential clients. The more people hear about your business, the better. 
• Set yourself apart. Why should clients choose you to work with? Consider creating a catchy logo, or finding another way to make your brand stand out. 

Mastering the most essential skills of real estate, and building a unique and strong brand are the groundwork for becoming a successful real estate agent!

Marketing & Networking in Real Estate: Strategies for Success

As you may have gathered, a major key to becoming a successful real estate agent is hard work and continuous learning. Strategic networking and effective marketing are part of that. 

We know making connections is important, but why? And how can you network “strategically”? Becoming immersed in the industry, beyond just attending some brokers’ events, is a smart move. Building authentic relationships within the industry will naturally expand your sources of industry knowledge. Having trusted professional relationships also opens up opportunities for business through referrals. Remember: When it comes to real estate, anyone you meet could be a client!

To keep your business going, you need a sustainable method for getting new potential clients, or effective “lead generation.” As a real estate agent, you’ll need to use classic techniques like email marketing, in combination with more creative strategies like webinars and social media. There’s a good chance your brokerage already uses a CRM (customer relationship management) software system, which will become your best friend and of course, a helpful tool for sustaining your business.  

Career Outlook & Conclusion: Your Future as a Real Estate Agent

The real estate sector is an ever-evolving industry that changes alongside the growth of technology and shifts in market trends. However, the demand for qualified real estate professionals remains high, one reason why becoming a real estate agent is an exciting journey. 

As you’ve likely gathered from this article, a successful career as a real estate agent requires more than just getting certified and hired. It takes drive, resilience, and eagerness to continue learning and stay on top of your game. If you commit to taking on a career as a real estate agent with passion, a flexible mindset, and a willingness to put clients first, you’re stepping onto the path toward a bright and promising future!

If you still have any lingering questions about becoming a real estate agent, head to careervillage.org to get them answered by real professionals.