Do Your Research
Far too often I receive a plethora of DMs, emails and text messages inquiring about where I received real estate training, what office I’m affiliated with if we’re hiring, how they can start working with me, and if I can help them get their license. While this is great, and I LOVE helping others, it’s important to recognize that nothing comes in the real estate industry without doing the heavy research yourself. True real estate career success comes from recognizing what is the best practice for you.
When thinking about starting a career in real estate industry, realize that as good as you may be, your brokerage can make or break your career. Because this is your career, treat it like such. Go on interviews, analyze their business model, determine if they offer new agent training, ask what fees are associated with their office, do they assist with leads, and do they have clear agent expectations?
These are all pertinent factors that will help you select a place to help you and your career grow.
Find Your Why
Real estate is an amazing industry to be immersed into. It is important to determine your why, as that will keep you on track as you move forward. Are you looking to help people find their dream home? Looking to help others sell their home for top dollar? Are you looking to change the dynamic of urban neighborhoods? Once you determine why you’re interested in becoming a realtor (and hopefully it’s not just because you see people on HGTV making great money!), this will propel you during the times when seasons fluctuate, or you may lack motivation. Real estate does not always take off running with the races, but stick with it, remain persistent and determined, and remember your why!
Cultivate Your Niche
If you’re reading this, you may be interested in embarking on a new career path. You’re more than likely young, motivated, and ready to get started. I’ve stood in your shoes! A great way to stand out in this industry, especially as someone who is young, is to cultivate your niche. Take a neighborhood that you’re interested in, a neighborhood that you’re familiar with, and learn everything you can about it. Take note of the demographics, the neighborhood features and amenities, market trends, taxes, and every other thing you can! Become an expert in the area you’re selling. This will help you combat your youth and the fact that you are new, especially when you’re looking to build your clientele. It’s not always easy to sell a half a million-dollar property in your early twenty’s, but proving yourself as an expert in your field provides comfort to your clients.
Relationships Reel in the Sales
Relationships, relationships, relationships! Realize that most people are not going to buy from or sell to someone that they are not familiar with. Referrals and relationships can be some of the greatest assets to propel your relationships forward. In addition to marketing yourself to your family, friends, and networking groups, always put your best foot forward when dealing with a client. I’ve had plenty of deals that have not come to fruition with a closing, but that have surprisingly still led to another great client based on the work that I’ve done in the past. It’s always easy to work someone you can trust. So, work to build a relationship with your client, and the rest will follow suit.
Be Yourself!
There’s nothing more important than being yourself. I can’t change the fact that I’m a 23-year-old millennial selling real estate in Detroit. To be quite honest, I wouldn’t want to! It draws clients in and makes them more apt to work with someone who is ambitious and driven. My clients like the fact that I’m quick with technology, the internet, and am always on my phone. It shows them that I am accessible and willing to assist them whenever I can. If I tried to be someone that I thought a typical agent should be or look like, I don’t believe I’d have the success that I have.
I’m not afraid to tell my clients if I don’t have all the information they need to make an informed decision. Instead, I would rather delve deeper into it to obtain more knowledge about the subject. I also don’t wear suits and blazers to all of my appointments but prefer to take the business chic approach. I point them in the direction of the best food spots, inform them of my love to the city, and why my passion lies in the city of Detroit. My belief is that my clients can appreciate my authentic self, and your future clients will too!
For more career advice visit Corporate Minority career insights.
