Property is a profitable career venture if you’re got at it. Not everyone has the skills to make it as a successful estate agent, but many people do. If you’re working toward becoming a successful estate agent, you already know you need the education, you need a solid company from which to work, and you need people skills. The most successful agents know a few things that others don’t, and they’re not always willing to impart that knowledge with the newbies. When they are, you need to take a moment to learn from what they have to say.
Embrace social media presence
No successful estate agent works without the use of social media. This is how you connect with prospective buyers and sellers. Your presence needs to include a website on which you can feature the homes you’re selling in addition to your past successes. You need Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and probably even Snapchat. The more you put yourself out there, the more you are able to track down clients. Keep in mind that most people in today’s world prefer to keep personal contact to a minimum, making potential buyers and sellers more likely to choose an agent they can contact via text, email, or social media. Not that many people want to talk on the phone these days.
Always maintain good relationships
You might want to forget a buyer and never deal with them again, but they’re the people paying your bills. Successful agents know as much as they dislike someone they’re working with, they can never show it. Maintain good relationships by always being firm but kind, and never say or do anything offensive or rude. You need them to refer you to friends and family, and you need them to use you again in the future when they decide to buy or sell again. Don’t burn bridges.
Leave clients feeling welcome
When you go out of your way to make people feel welcome in their new homes, you make a big impression. You get to know your clients a bit when you show them houses. You pick up on the things they say, and you learn what they like. If they have a newborn baby and just bought a new house, leave a gift basket on the counter with newborn baby gifts. If they love good wine and bought a house because it has a great wine room, leave a bottle of nice wine on the counter as a gift with a nice card. Know your clients, and leave them with a welcome gift. It’s a little gesture, but it stands out to them. They’ll remember that when they want to sell or buy or recommend an agent to someone else.
Don’t turn down jobs
Even if a buyer or seller wants to work with a budget that’s below what you typically prefer, work with them. Something is better than nothing. You don’t know who they know or what they might want in the future. Even the commissions that don’t result in a big payday are worth more than nothing. Those are the ones that often turn into referrals, future work, and bigger sales. Always accept clients even when you don’t feel it’s worth your time.
Host open houses
There are estate agents that don’t bother with open houses. It’s time-consuming and not worth their time. For new estate agents looking to meet people, however, it’s a great idea. You become familiar with what people want when you overhear them discussing what they like and don’t like about properties, and that makes your job easier in the future. When you gain an insider’s knowledge of what buyers in a specific neighbourhood are looking for, you’re better at marketing houses by knowing what to highlight and what to downplay.
The key to becoming successful is being persistent, working hard for your clients, and maintaining good relationships with the people you work for and with. Really learning from your continuing education, consulting training programs like Success Path, and always remembering there is always something more to learn will help you succeed.
How did you get a successful career in property? Tell us by tweeting @CareerCamel!
Photo: RachelH_ / Flickr
Dixie is a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and education. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters who are the inspiration for her writing.
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