The real estate field is a very competitive one, and the market is full of top-notch companies and agents. However, if you have what it takes to become a real estate agent, you will enjoy this kind of job and make good money out of it. Additionally, having the right tools and a supportive team will make your job much easier and more exciting! It is perfect for people who can’t find themselves in nine to five desk jobs. As real estate agents are always on the move, meeting new clients and checking new facilities and units.
Even though the real estate market around the globe is facing some issues due to the economic landscape, you can still make some money if you know how to negotiate and spot a good deal. Read on, as we will give some important advice every good real estate agent needs to know.
High-Quality Listing Photos
Listing photos are very important and their quality should not be taken lightly! The first thing clients see is the listing pictures, and definitely, they won’t be interested in checking low-quality pictures no matter how fancy the unit is. A professional real estate agent should have professional, high-quality listing photographs. Hiring a professional photographer is a very good idea to attract more leads and look more professional. Photographs taken using cell phones will never look as good and clear as those taken with professional cameras.
Work on Your Skills
The key to succeeding in any kind of job that requires a lot of communication with people and negotiations is soft skills. Some people are naturals, but that is not enough as they have to keep on working on those talents till they master their skills. It goes without saying, real estate agents need soft skills to deal with different kinds of clients with different backgrounds. That is why in order to generate leads, you need to improve your soft skills. This can be done by reading, taking courses, and attending professional development meetings. Experience and professional development are essential to succeeding in the real estate market.
Attend Home Inspections
Since part of your job is negotiating for customers, when doing transactions it is recommended that you attend all home inspections. After all, any damage found on the property will have an effect on finalizing the deal, no matter how big or small it is. Moreover, some damages need a lot of money to repair, while others are minor like wear and tear. Being present during home inspections shows clients that you are there every step of the way. This, in turn, can lead to a good reputation and more potential leads.
Follow a Mentor
You would benefit a lot at the start of your career by shadowing an experienced mentor. This way, you will get to learn all the tips and tricks while on the job. Moreover, you will get acquainted with the terminology used in the field. Mentors can show you how to deal with different kinds of clients and how to spot a serious lead. Watching an experienced sales agent negotiate and close a deal is something you won’t learn from reading books or attending classes as this is pure hands-on experience.
Study Your Clients
Before taking a step to show clients different homes, you need to know if they are ready to buy a house or not. You have to know the financial situation of your clients and the amenities they need. This way, you can pre-qualify them and avoid wasting your effort and much-needed time and spend it showing other clients that are financially ready to buy a new home. This is done by preparing some questions before you start looking for new homes for them. Once your clients have qualified as good prospects, then you can start preparing recommendations for them. For example, you can put together a good list of affordable suburbs in Chicago for a client who fits this profile.
Focus on One Medium
Study and focus on one platform to advertise your units. Take it one medium at a time, as advertising on many platforms without knowing how they work is ineffective and can be overwhelming. Eventually, you should be advertising on different mediums and platforms, however, you should work up to this gradually – mentioned by Jasen Edwards, chair of the Agent Editor Board at Agent Advice.
Starting your career as a real estate agent needs patience and guidance. Some people make a lot of money out of this job. You can be one of those people if you have got what it takes and are ready to learn and keep working on your skills. In order to become good at what you do, you need to follow the guidance of a mentor, upload high-quality photographs for listing, work on your skills, study your clients, master one advertising platform then move to the next, and attend each and every home inspection. If you are not made for desk jobs and have good negotiation skills, this job is just for you.