You don’t necessarily need a specific personality type, a particular background, or the same goals as those around you to find success in real estate. It’s a wonderful profession for many different kinds of people.
However, despite their differences, successful real estate agents often master similar skill sets that give them an edge over their competitors. What are those real estate agent skills? Keep reading as we’ve compiled the ten most important ones for you to develop.
Learn more about the skills needed post-NAR settlement by listening to this discussion between two industry experts.
Here are some skills you can work on to improve your chances of succeeding in real estate. We’ve divided our list into three subgroups: soft skills, strategic professional skills, and industry knowledge skills.
“Buying and selling houses can be stressful, and it’s important for the agent to make sure that the client is feeling supported and happy,” said real estate agent Lucy White in an interview on RealEstate.com. Our first four skills center on how to do this.
Every client has a different preferred method of staying in touch. Text? Email? Phone calls? Whatever it is, ask your client at the start of your relationship to ensure you get it right.
Then, make sure you keep your clients informed. Tell homeowners about offers immediately. Inform buyers when a property enters the market that meets their qualifications.
Being able to speak and write are critical soft skills for real estate agents. Use AI or grammar tools to ensure your written communication is effective, and practice speaking with other real estate agents in your brokerage.
When it comes to real estate, you’re the expert. Elements of the buying or selling process might seem mundane or second nature to you but might be entirely foreign to clients new to the industry.
Anticipate what might be confusing to your clients. Go over every detail of the process and contracts. Patiently answer their questions and provide helpful resources.
How do you improve this soft skill? You must understand a concept to teach it. That’s why quality pre-licensing courses are critical for new agents.
Also, practice explaining the buying and selling process to your family and friends and improve your patience. You'll get better at explaining things with time.
This one sounds simple, but real estate professionals must be on time for appointments. Whether showing a house to prospective buyers or meeting with clients with a property to sell, arrive at the appointed time. Time management is critical to ensuring all your customers walk away happy.
Every agent has a way of showing clients they care. Think of it as your “homegrown touch.”
Some people remember birthdays or special milestones in a client’s life. Some are good at offering clients tips on where to get the best cheeseburger in their new neighborhood or who to call for handyman services.
Whether you show you care by sending pizza to your clients on move-in day or by dropping by with a holiday gift, show them they matter to you. As the saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
As a real estate agent, you must stay organized and be able to negotiate effectively. Here are some professional skills to help you in this industry and others.
Don’t be afraid of new technology; adapt to it. The tools offered by the real estate tech industry can make staying organized in your job easier!
Go to every tech training your brokerage or local real estate association offers. Attend national events for real estate agents and learn about the best new tools.
The truth is, you will need to be able to negotiate on behalf of your clients - and with your clients. Real estate commissions have always been negotiable, but more of your clients are aware of this fact following the recent NAR lawsuit settlement.
Learn about client negotiation post-NAR settlement by downloading this helpful video.
You have to know a lot to be a real estate agent. But, unlike some professions, the knowledge you need to function as a real estate agent constantly changes. Real estate regulations and laws may affect the contracts your clients must sign and the rules you must follow when listing a home for sale.
Here’s how to stay current in the real estate industry.
Real estate professionals have a better chance of success when they have an intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods in which they work. Familiarize yourself with schools, new zoning laws, bylaws, local businesses, bus routes, and other elements necessary for people moving in, out, or within your neighborhood. This way, you can position yourself as a local market expert your clients can trust—not just an outsider looking to profit from a transaction.
Stay updated with what’s happening in your industry, including mortgage rates, laws that affect real estate agents, and everything in between. The best way to do this is to read trade publications daily. Here are a couple that are highly regarded:
Networking is critical for growing your client base and getting to know your community. However, networking with your competition can also help you stay current on local real estate happenings. Meet periodically with other agents, builders, mortgage professionals, and others related to the industry.
The best in their field are always learning. Of course, you must take continuing education courses to fulfill your state’s licensing requirements. However, it's critical that you take your coursework from a real estate school that offers helpful content and advice. The Arizona School of Real Estate & Business has provided quality real estate education in Arizona for years. Whether you still need to earn your license or are shopping around for the best deals on real estate continuing ed, you can depend on ASREB.
Download this free video for more advice about becoming a real estate agent and demonstrating your unique skillset to clients.
