10 Tips for Surviving Your First Year in Real Estate
From vacations to barbeques to backyard fun with your kids, it can be easy to get distracted from your career in the summertime. This can be true in the real estate industry, especially if you’re just starting out. When you’re able to make your own schedule, it can be easy to schedule some down time. Instead of getting off track in your real estate career during one of the hottest times in the market, find success this summer! Here are 10 ways to survive (and thrive) during your first year in real estate: 1. Expect long hours. As a real estate agent, you will have days where you are working from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Frankly, not all prospective buyers are able to go see homes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. So, agents must cater to their clients’ schedules – even at the expense of their own! So, expect and embrace long hours. 2. Market. Market. Market. Gone are the days of simply plopping a “For Sale” sign in a client’s yard and taking out an ad in the local newspaper. Those tactics may still work, but they should be coupled with aggressive online advertising and social media marketing. Even if you’re not comfortable sharing your personal life on social media, use it to your advantage to promote your real estate career! 3. Set goals. If you don’t have something to work toward, it can be easy to go astray. Start with some easily-attainable goals like attending at least one networking event a month or increasing your online visibility. Once you reach one goal, you’ll be motivated to set and reach another! 4. Go into the office. But, get used to working anywhere and everywhere, too. Give yourself a place that’s a bit quieter than the kitchen island at home, so that you can get work done when you need to. But, you also may have to get used to checking your email and making some calls from the car or the local coffee shop. You’ve got to be flexible as a real estate agent. 5. Have a back-up plan. Even if you hit the ground running, you may not instantly see profits in real estate. When you first start out, it may be a good idea to keep your current profession or have at least six months of income saved up. Then, you won’t feel stress if you don’t immediately see a profit. 6. Find a support system. When you decide to pursue a career in real estate, choose to do so with a company that will provide you with the support you need. Find an experienced agent to manager to coach you. You also should be able to rely on your company to train you on the latest marketing and outreach tools. 7. Build a network. Not only will you need a support system, but you’ll also want to have a network of trusted professionals you can reach out to. We’re talking about other agents, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, contractors and anyone else who may be able to help you assist your clients. Being able to recommend professionals to help your clients will help you gain their trust! 8. Become a local expert. Once you’ve got your network around you, soak in all the details of the area that surrounds you. Learn the schools, restaurants, parks and even the local crime rate. Remember that your clients not only want to know about the available homes in an area, but they also want to know what kinds of things are available around those homes! 9. Keep learning. The real estate market is constantly changing and evolving, so you’ve got to make sure that you are, too. From new marketing techniques to new ways to communicate with your clients, if you want to continue to advance your career, you’ve got to continue to learn! 10. Stay positive. Barely anyone is an expert in any field from day one. So, when you decide to pursue a career in real estate, don’t expect to be an expert at first. Keeping a positive attitude will help you find success in your first year as a real estate agent and far beyond! Are you ready to embark on an exciting career in real estate? Become a trusted real estate professional with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty.
