Are You Thinking About a Career in Real Estate?

If you bear these 10 traits, a career in real estate could serve you well.

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So you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to work in the world of real estate (or at the very least, you were curious enough about the industry to check out this blog). Well, there’s a lot of information to digest, but let’s start with an important question: What does it take to be a good agent? Are you cut out for it? Here are the top 10 traits that describe every successful agent:

1. Problem-solver. There are a ton of moving parts in every single real estate transaction and plenty of room for things to go wrong; are you ready to roll up your sleeves and find solutions on the fly?

2. Self-motivated. Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit?

3. Honesty and integrity. These are increasingly difficult traits to find, but they’re essential to achieving true professionalism and serving the needs of others.

4. Willing to hustle. When the going gets tough, tough agents get going.

5. A general interest in homes. You don’t have to be a specialist, though. No one will expect you to have an advanced-level knowledge of architecture or interior design, but you should be someone who enjoys looking at different homes.

In this business, the more detailed you are, the better off you’ll be.

6. Engaging personality. Since we’re doing everything via video these days, are you someone who would feel comfortable reaching out and grabbing people’s attention? Do people often tell you that you have a confident yet welcoming demeanor?

7. Attention to detail. Salespeople aren’t generally known for having a meticulous, detail-oriented nature, but here’s the truth: In this business, the more detailed you are, the better off you’ll be.

8. Knowledgeable about the local market. You need to be able to look at the data, draw the proper conclusions, and then help clients make sense of it all through casual, jargon-free conversations.

9. Natural networker. Building a network of people who know, like, and trust you isn’t just important in the real estate business—it is the real estate business.

10. Well-informed. Do you have an appetite for the latest reports and news articles about the real estate market (local, regional, and national) and the economy at large? You’ll need one; staying up to date is how we agents further position ourselves as experts.

I hope you found this brief list to be a helpful starting point; there is much more to be said about each of these 10 traits, and there are certainly more traits that will serve you well in the real estate world. If reading this has made you feel excited or even convinced about a career in real estate, I’d love to talk to you. Just give my team or me a call, or send an email. I look forward to speaking with you and sharing what I’ve learned in my 34 years in real estate!