3 answers
3 answers
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Joelvis,
Becoming a real estate agent is relatively simple, but there are some things you should know before you decide to pursue this as a career.
First, the market (area you represent as a buying/selling agent) you are in is everything. There are a variety of factors that impact the market and it is always changing. You'll learn about more about these factors if you decide to pursue this as a career, but the general idea is as a young agent you'll likely need to go where the opportunity is, which is actually good advice no matter what career you are considering. If you commit to living in a certain city or state, your options are limited to what is available there.
Another thing to know is that there is a lot of competition in the real-estate industry, so you will need to be determined, dedicated, and work a lot of hours to get started and establish yourself.
Lastly, the real-estate industry is "boom and bust" meaning sometimes the market will be hot and you will make a lot of money in a single year, and sometimes you will make very little money. Income management is critical early-on as you will likely experience this type of economic downturn and will need to rely on income from previous years to get by while you wait for the market to rebound.
Best of luck!
Consider Redfin as a starting agent opportunity
Consider very carefully where you want to start working. New York is tough!
Becoming a real estate agent is relatively simple, but there are some things you should know before you decide to pursue this as a career.
First, the market (area you represent as a buying/selling agent) you are in is everything. There are a variety of factors that impact the market and it is always changing. You'll learn about more about these factors if you decide to pursue this as a career, but the general idea is as a young agent you'll likely need to go where the opportunity is, which is actually good advice no matter what career you are considering. If you commit to living in a certain city or state, your options are limited to what is available there.
Another thing to know is that there is a lot of competition in the real-estate industry, so you will need to be determined, dedicated, and work a lot of hours to get started and establish yourself.
Lastly, the real-estate industry is "boom and bust" meaning sometimes the market will be hot and you will make a lot of money in a single year, and sometimes you will make very little money. Income management is critical early-on as you will likely experience this type of economic downturn and will need to rely on income from previous years to get by while you wait for the market to rebound.
Best of luck!
Jason recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
To thrive as a real estate agent, you need a blend of knowledge, skills, and the right attitude. Here's a friendly guide on how to excel in selling properties, with key factors to keep in mind. This guide will give you a deep understanding of what it takes to be a successful real estate agent.
Education and Licensing:
In the U.S., becoming a real estate agent starts with meeting certain educational requirements and getting a license. Each state has its own rules, but typically, you'll need to take pre-licensing courses, ace a state exam, and meet any other state-specific needs. These courses will teach you about real estate principles, contracts, finance, property management, and the legal side of real estate.
Continuous Learning:
Getting a license is just the beginning. Staying in the loop with market trends, regulatory changes, and new technologies is key to success. Many states even require real estate agents to take ongoing education courses to keep their licenses. Plus, attending seminars, workshops, and conferences can give you valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Developing Sales Skills:
Selling properties needs strong sales skills. You'll need to communicate well with clients, understand their needs, negotiate deals, and close transactions. Building great people skills is key to forming relationships with clients and other industry professionals. Plus, knowing the local market, pricing strategies, and marketing techniques will help you stand out from the crowd.
Building a Network:
Networking is super important in real estate. Building relationships with other agents, brokers, lenders, attorneys, contractors, and other professionals can lead to new opportunities and referrals. Going to industry events and joining professional groups like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) can help you grow your network and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Market Knowledge:
Knowing your local market inside and out is crucial for success in real estate. This means understanding the current inventory, property values, neighborhood demographics, school districts, transportation options, and other factors that influence buyers. By staying informed about market conditions, you can give your clients valuable insights and help them make smart decisions.
Problem-Solving Skills:
Real estate deals can be complicated and often throw up unexpected challenges. As a real estate agent, you need to be able to think on your feet and find creative solutions to problems that may come up during the buying or selling process. This could involve resolving issues related to financing, inspections, appraisals, or negotiations. Being proactive and resourceful will help you navigate these challenges successfully.
Time Management and Organization:
Real estate agents often juggle multiple clients and deals at once. Good time management and organization skills are key to balancing various tasks and responsibilities. This includes scheduling appointments, showing properties, preparing contracts and paperwork, following up with clients, and meeting deadlines. Using tech tools like customer relationship management (CRM) software can help make these processes smoother.
Resilience and Persistence:
The real estate industry can be tough and demanding. It takes resilience and persistence to overcome hurdles and succeed. Rejections, market fluctuations, and unpredictable events are all part of the job. Keeping a positive attitude, staying motivated, and learning from setbacks are key traits of successful real estate agents.
In short, to become a real estate agent, you need education, licensing, ongoing learning, sales skills, networking, market knowledge, problem-solving skills, time management, organization, resilience, and persistence. By developing these qualities and having the right attitude, you can set yourself up for a successful career in selling properties.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Websites:
1. National Association of Realtors (NAR) - www.nar.realtor
2. Real Estate Express - www.realestateexpress.com
3. Investopedia - www.investopedia.com
Education and Licensing:
In the U.S., becoming a real estate agent starts with meeting certain educational requirements and getting a license. Each state has its own rules, but typically, you'll need to take pre-licensing courses, ace a state exam, and meet any other state-specific needs. These courses will teach you about real estate principles, contracts, finance, property management, and the legal side of real estate.
Continuous Learning:
Getting a license is just the beginning. Staying in the loop with market trends, regulatory changes, and new technologies is key to success. Many states even require real estate agents to take ongoing education courses to keep their licenses. Plus, attending seminars, workshops, and conferences can give you valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Developing Sales Skills:
Selling properties needs strong sales skills. You'll need to communicate well with clients, understand their needs, negotiate deals, and close transactions. Building great people skills is key to forming relationships with clients and other industry professionals. Plus, knowing the local market, pricing strategies, and marketing techniques will help you stand out from the crowd.
Building a Network:
Networking is super important in real estate. Building relationships with other agents, brokers, lenders, attorneys, contractors, and other professionals can lead to new opportunities and referrals. Going to industry events and joining professional groups like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) can help you grow your network and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Market Knowledge:
Knowing your local market inside and out is crucial for success in real estate. This means understanding the current inventory, property values, neighborhood demographics, school districts, transportation options, and other factors that influence buyers. By staying informed about market conditions, you can give your clients valuable insights and help them make smart decisions.
Problem-Solving Skills:
Real estate deals can be complicated and often throw up unexpected challenges. As a real estate agent, you need to be able to think on your feet and find creative solutions to problems that may come up during the buying or selling process. This could involve resolving issues related to financing, inspections, appraisals, or negotiations. Being proactive and resourceful will help you navigate these challenges successfully.
Time Management and Organization:
Real estate agents often juggle multiple clients and deals at once. Good time management and organization skills are key to balancing various tasks and responsibilities. This includes scheduling appointments, showing properties, preparing contracts and paperwork, following up with clients, and meeting deadlines. Using tech tools like customer relationship management (CRM) software can help make these processes smoother.
Resilience and Persistence:
The real estate industry can be tough and demanding. It takes resilience and persistence to overcome hurdles and succeed. Rejections, market fluctuations, and unpredictable events are all part of the job. Keeping a positive attitude, staying motivated, and learning from setbacks are key traits of successful real estate agents.
In short, to become a real estate agent, you need education, licensing, ongoing learning, sales skills, networking, market knowledge, problem-solving skills, time management, organization, resilience, and persistence. By developing these qualities and having the right attitude, you can set yourself up for a successful career in selling properties.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Websites:
1. National Association of Realtors (NAR) - www.nar.realtor
2. Real Estate Express - www.realestateexpress.com
3. Investopedia - www.investopedia.com
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi, Joelvis. To become a real estate agent, you must (source is https://dos.ny.gov/real-estate-salesperson):
- Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
- Be 18 years old.
- Have successfully completed 77 hours of approved qualifying education. ...
- Pass the NYS Real Estate Salesperson examination.
- Be sponsored by a NYS licensed Real Estate Broker
I am not a real estate agent, but I know many and have worked with several. The really good ones:
- work hard to keep up on the market, keep their properties visible, and help their buyers look at properties
- are good listeners so they can tell what is important to their customers (buyers or sellers) and ask probing questions to help their customers think through potential compromises
- are patient since sometimes it can take a while for deals to close
- are good with details and can explain those details to others
- like working with different types of people
Good luck!
Read more on the site about real estate education
- Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
- Be 18 years old.
- Have successfully completed 77 hours of approved qualifying education. ...
- Pass the NYS Real Estate Salesperson examination.
- Be sponsored by a NYS licensed Real Estate Broker
I am not a real estate agent, but I know many and have worked with several. The really good ones:
- work hard to keep up on the market, keep their properties visible, and help their buyers look at properties
- are good listeners so they can tell what is important to their customers (buyers or sellers) and ask probing questions to help their customers think through potential compromises
- are patient since sometimes it can take a while for deals to close
- are good with details and can explain those details to others
- like working with different types of people
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps: