What Advice Should New Real Estate Agents Consider for Career Success?
RealEstateAdvice.net
What Advice Should New Real Estate Agents Consider for Career Success?
Stepping into the world of real estate can be both thrilling and daunting. Insights from a Designated Broker - Realtor and a Founder and CEO shed light on navigating this dynamic field. Learn why being independent and continually educating oneself is crucial, and why mastering the art of follow-up could be a game-changer. Discover thirteen invaluable pieces of advice from industry veterans that could shape your career trajectory.
- Be Independent and Educate Continually
- Build Knowledge Base and Find a Mentor
- Master the Art of Follow-Up
- Differentiate Yourself and Be Consistent
- Know Key Industry Players
- Focus on Distressed Properties
- Take Massive Action
- Join a High-Producing Team
- Build Strong Relationships and Trust
- Prioritize Building Relationships
- Focus on Lead Generation
- Embrace Technology and Innovation
- Build Genuine Relationships
Be Independent and Educate Continually
Brokerages come and go. For long-term business building, you want to be as independent as you can. That includes your own website. I recommend a WordPress site, as it's an easy learn. That gives you the ability to lead-generate organically or paid. Your own CRM so your leads cannot be borrowed or shut off on you. And don't be afraid of the phone. For every deal you want to close, be sure to have 3 times that many perking in the pipeline, as they don't all make it to the closing table. Educate continually–tech, marketing, and sales. It's not as easy as it looks.
Build Knowledge Base and Find a Mentor
One piece of advice I'd give to someone just starting in real estate is to focus on building a solid knowledge base and finding a mentor or experienced professional to guide you. Take the time to learn the fundamentals, like market trends, contracts, and negotiation strategies. At the same time, connect with someone who has been in the business and can share real-world insights. Having a mentor helped me avoid common mistakes, ask the right questions, and gain confidence early on. Combining education with practical advice is key to building a strong foundation for success in real estate.
Master the Art of Follow-Up
One Piece of Advice for Real-Estate Rookies: Master the Art of Follow-Up
Here's the hard truth: 87% of real-estate agents leave the business within five years. Why? It's not because they aren't hardworking or personable. It's because they fail to build lasting relationships. After 20 years in this industry, spanning multiple states and markets, I can confidently tell you that the key to long-term success in real estate is simple: master the art of follow-up.
When I started my career in 2004, I thought success was about being polished and selling houses fast. And yes, that's part of it—but it's not the whole picture. Real estate is about trust. It's about becoming the person people think of the moment they hear the word "home." That doesn't happen overnight, and it certainly doesn't happen if you don't follow up.
People don't buy or sell homes every day. They may meet you during an open house or talk to you about buying without immediate plans to make a move. Here's the thing: Most agents stop there. They meet someone, exchange pleasantries, and never reach out again. That's the difference between a one-time agent and a career-long success. Follow-up ensures you're top of mind when the time is right.
Whether it's a handwritten note after a first meeting or a friendly email a month later, it's all about timing. A well-timed "I was just thinking about you!" goes a long way.
Be authentic. Follow-up isn't just about selling. It's about showing you care. Share a market update, congratulate a client on their new job, or send a favorite local restaurant recommendation. Make it personal.
Be consistent. Real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if someone isn't ready to buy today, they'll remember the agent who stayed in touch.
Don't forget about past clients. I've seen too many agents chase the next lead while neglecting the people they've already helped. Past clients are gold—they're your biggest fans and the ones who will refer you to friends and family. Stay connected with them. I host small client appreciation events, send holiday cards, and check in during homeownership anniversaries. Small gestures lead to big rewards.
You're not just selling homes; you're selling yourself. Be memorable, reliable, and consistent. Real estate isn't about quick wins; it's about building a reputation that people trust over time. Mastering the art of follow-up will do more for your career than the fanciest website or the flashiest business card ever could.
Differentiate Yourself and Be Consistent
Don't just be like every other agent. Do something slightly unique to differentiate yourself, and then be consistent with it for as long as possible.
It might be something you wear, something you drive, something you do (marketing - paper or digital) or all 3.
Create relationships with people as fast as possible.
Be honest with people and do the right thing for that person's individual situation.
Become the market knowledge for people. Got a real estate question? They need to think of you as a wealth of information they can pick up the phone and speak to.
Know Key Industry Players
Connections are everything. And I don't just mean knowing potential buyers or building your social presence—though that's important, too. I mean really knowing the key players in your industry: other agents, brokers, even competitors.
Real estate is as much about relationships as it is about deals. When you know the right people in your line of work, you open doors that aren't visible to others. Maybe it's a lead on a new listing, an off-market opportunity, or even a referral when they're too busy to take on a client. This business often works on an unspoken rule of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." A favor you do today can turn into a major opportunity down the road.
Social media and advertising are great for reaching buyers, but don't underestimate the value of industry connections. Attend networking events, join local real-estate groups, and never shy away from introducing yourself. Build those relationships intentionally—they'll pay off in ways you can't predict. Real estate isn't just about selling; it's about being part of a network that supports your success.
Focus on Distressed Properties
My top advice is to focus on building relationships and understanding the value of distressed properties. Great deals aren't everywhere—you need to know where to look and how to recognize opportunities. Distress often creates value; properties in foreclosure, probate, or owned by absentee heirs can offer the potential for a substantial profit. Approach these situations with compassion and professionalism to build trust and long-term success.
Also, be prepared for hard work and persistence. Real estate isn't always glamorous—dealing with issues like hoarder homes or outdated properties is common. Remember, the worse the condition, the bigger the potential discount. Whether you're flipping, wholesaling, or managing rentals, learn from every deal and continually refine your process. It's not about loving houses but solving problems and creating value.
Take Massive Action
Your network is your net worth.
Attend every single local real estate meet-up you can and meet everyone in your market.
The most important thing to do, however, is at some point you need to put the books down and take massive action to achieve your goals.
Join a High-Producing Team
"The best advice I can give to new Realtors is to join a high-producing team. While some agents worry about team splits, the reality is that the experience you gain far outweighs the cost. On a team, you'll work on multiple deals much faster than you would on your own, allowing you to build confidence and sharpen your skills at an accelerated pace. You'll also have access to invaluable mentorship, proven systems, and marketing resources that would take years to develop solo. Success in real estate is all about momentum, and a team environment provides the structure and support you need to hit the ground running. Remember, your early years are about learning and growing—earning will follow."
Build Strong Relationships and Trust
One key piece of advice for someone starting their career in real estate is to focus on building strong relationships and trust early on. Real estate is a relationship-driven business, and establishing a solid network of clients, brokers, and service providers will be invaluable. Take the time to learn from experienced mentors and ask questions, as this knowledge can help you navigate challenges and avoid common mistakes.
In my experience, success comes not just from understanding the market but from being consistent, staying responsive, and delivering value to your clients. The relationships you build in the first few years can set the foundation for long-term success in the industry.
Prioritize Building Relationships
One piece of advice I'd give to someone just starting their career in real estate is to focus on building relationships before anything else. Real estate is a business built on trust, and your reputation will be one of your most valuable assets. From my own experience, transitioning from a 34-year teaching career into real estate, I've learned that genuine connections and a commitment to serving others lay the foundation for success. Your clients need to feel that you're not just interested in closing a deal but are truly invested in helping them achieve their goals.
Start by listening and understanding your clients' needs. Ask thoughtful questions, and take the time to educate them about the process—it can make all the difference in creating a positive experience. Also, lean on mentorship and continuous learning. Surround yourself with seasoned professionals who are willing to share their insights, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Real estate is ever-changing, so staying informed about market trends, legal updates, and new technologies is key to staying competitive.
Marketing and organization are equally critical. Invest time in developing a personal brand that reflects who you are and what you stand for. Utilize tools like a strong online presence, SEO-optimized websites, and social media to expand your reach. At the same time, stay disciplined with your schedule. Real estate can be demanding, so creating routines and setting boundaries will help you maintain balance and avoid burnout.
Finally, remember that patience and perseverance are vital. Success doesn't happen overnight. Celebrate small wins, learn from challenges, and always keep the bigger picture in mind. Building a thriving real estate career takes time, but with authenticity, hard work, and a willingness to grow, you'll create a lasting impact on your clients and your community.
Focus on Lead Generation
The most important piece of advice that I could offer is that a career in real estate isn't really about selling houses; it's about lead and client generation. My "job" is to find clients, list homes, and negotiate contracts. While I show houses and give suggestions for what someone can do to make their home more marketable or for buyers to be more competitive, the vast majority of my focus is on generating future clients.
If you don't have a drive for talking to new people, nurturing the relationship, and following up with them, then real estate may not be the right career.
Embrace Technology and Innovation
My advice to someone just starting their career in real estate is simple: Embrace technology and innovation early. The industry is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve can give you a significant edge. Digital tools, like those we provide at Beagel, make offer management more transparent and efficient and help build trust with clients. The more you can leverage technology to streamline your processes, the more time you'll have to focus on building relationships and delivering exceptional service.
Also, never underestimate the value of referrals. Your reputation and the trust you build with clients will be your most powerful asset. By using tools that improve the customer experience, you'll not only meet expectations but exceed them, ensuring clients keep coming back and recommending you to others.
Build Genuine Relationships
If I could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in real estate, it would be this: focus on building genuine relationships, not just transactions. Real estate is a people business at its core, and the trust you establish with clients will outlast any single deal. From the beginning, prioritize providing value—whether that's through sharing market insights, being transparent about the process, or just listening to their needs.
When I started, I made it a point to go the extra mile for every client, even when I wasn't sure how it would pan out. That mindset built a foundation of trust and referrals that carried me through tougher times. Also, never stop learning. The market changes, technology evolves, and your ability to adapt will determine your success.
Remember, you're not just selling homes—you're helping people create a lifestyle. Stay patient, stay consistent, and success will follow.
You can find more tips and inspiration on my social media here: taplink.cc/yoann.
