Whilst a real estate career may look glamorous from the outside - swanning around in beautiful homes, driving nice cars and wearing immaculate outfits - behind the scenes, the role of a real estate agent can be very different.
Here’s 6 things you need to know before starting a real estate career, to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
1. You need to be success driven
Individuals that do really well in real estate have a strong desire to succeed. Whilst the income potential of a real estate agent is limitless, the top players work extremely hard to be (and stay) at the top of their game.
2. You need to stand out
Real estate is a highly competitive industry, so it’s essential you know how to set yourself apart. The most successful real estate agents know the importance of differentiation. If you want to stand out, you’ll need to develop a personal brand that communicates your value and gives potential clients a reason to choose you over the next agent.
3. You need to be self-motivated
If you want a rewarding career in real estate, you need to be self-motivated and disciplined. Unlike a corporate job where you answer to a manager every day, you’ll be expected to manage your weekly schedule, grow and nurture a client database, acquire new leads, appraise proper-ties and often juggle all the admin tasks required, to reach your targets.
4. You’ll need to work weekends
If you want a career in real estate, expect to work weekends. Saturday's (and in some areas Sundays) are prime time - there are open houses, property auctions and rental inspections. But it's not just Saturdays you’ll have to sacrifice. Another consideration is that after hours call backs and client meetings are also often a key to delivering excellent service to your clients. Real Estate is not a 9-5 job!
5. You’ll be on the phone a lot!
Let’s face it, the business of real estate is a people business – and one of the most effective way to connect with people is over the phone. Top agents are known to make upwards of 100 phone calls per day. You’ll be cold-calling prospects, talking to vendors, handling enquiries and following up missed calls. Being a great communicator will work in your favour.
6. You need to have a thick skin
If you can’t handle rejection, you probably want to give this type of career a wide berth. Hearing the word “no” is just part and parcel of working in real estate:
No! This property isn’t for me…
No! I don’t want you contacting me. I’m not interested…
No! We’re not listing our property with you. We’ve chosen another agent.
It’s all just part of the day-to-day dialogue a real estate agent can be exposed to.
There’s no denying, that a successful career in real estate, requires a particular type of person. But if you’re driven, disciplined and love helping people, then the professional and financial rewards from a real estate career are unlimited.
If Richardson & Wrench can help you realise your real estate dreams please feel free to reach out to our team - https://www.randw.com.au/franchise-opportunities.html