I'm thinking about becoming a real estate agent. What are the pros and cons of being a realtor?

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I'm thinking about becoming a real estate agent. What are the pros and cons of being a realtor?

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Francois Delille

Diamond

9 years ago

I don't see it as pros and cons, you need to love this business to be a realtor as you need grit and persistence to succeed.
If your are not a self starter, it is probably not for you.

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Veronica Mullenix

Diamond

12 years ago

There is a plethora of advice available for a real estate practitioner from many different sources on many different topics. When you find/receive good advice act on it without delay.

Your first few years in real estate are the most difficult. There's so much to learn that is not taught in the pre-licensing courses. Pre-licensing courses are predominately theory and vocabulary. After you earn your license, it will serve you well to invest in courses in customer service, listing strategies and marketing, buyer strategies and negotiating that you will need in order to learn the basics of serving your clients.

So, after you pass the exam you will need to plan for continuing your education further in real estate with more courses geared toward the specifics of serving buyers and sellers. The first two years in real estate are lean years for many new licensees. In this industry it is advised to have at least 6 months of operating expenses saved up and available. It might be that long before you receive your first paycheck as a new Realtor.

In the field of real estate you will be inundated with a deluge of indiscriminate things to learn and do constantly; at times it will feel overwhelming. But, it really isn't overwhelming. You simply must stay organized.
First piece of advice: stay organized. You can learn organizational skills, there are many books and courses on the subject.

Your level of education and skill in the areas of brokerage, negotiation, management, and your Internet and technology expertise will be key to separating you from the crowd of other licensees in your market place. When deciding where to spend your money (ads, postcards or other marketing; or in education and books) you will be wise to make the largest investments in yourself! An ad runs once in a publication. A postcard lasts mere seconds in the hands of the receiver (if it even makes it past the recycle bin!); but, a course and books stay with you and become part of you for a lifetime.

Have a business plan, and work the plan. For real estate practitioners your business plan is multi-layered. It contains but is not limited to: an income plan, a marketing plan, an Internet marketing plan, a website plan, a social media plan, an education plan, a listing customer service plan, a buyer customer service plan, etc.... Everything you aspire to do or achieve should be laid out as a written plan of action with performance steps and dates for completion. Your business should not be a series of random and arbitrary acts; but, instead a series of well thought out steps to be taken to achieve a goal(s).

Have a mentor or a coach. Once you have joined a brokerage office your broker/manager can help pair you with a good match.

Above all learn what stellar customer service is! Real estate brokerage IS ALL ABOUT THE CONSUMER. You have a license to serve others and to partner with your customers to help them achieve their real estate goals! Be genuinely concerned for others' ability to achieve their dreams of homeownership or real estate investment. Delivering "hero-quality" customer service will guarantee you will have a memorable career in real estate. Not merely satisfactory; but truly MEMORABLE!

Here is a link to 9 of the best customer service books to start with.
http://www.desk.com/blog/customer-service-books/

I wish you much success!
vm