How to be a Successful Real Estate Agent in Digital Age

The real estate industry has seen significant changes in the marketplace due to technological changes that make it easier than ever before for buyers and sellers to find each other without the help of a real estate agent. With sites like Zillow and Trulia, buyers no longer need to rely on real estate controlled listing services like MLS or FMLS to find the home they want. Digital tours of homes and attractive photos allow buyers to view potential homes without the need to have a real estate agent open the lockbox to let them in for a showing.
Once a real estate agent finishes the real estate licence course, it is time to formulate a career development plan that includes ongoing real estate training and important criteria for beginning a career in real estate company or sales that will endure. Staying relevant in the face of technological changes, economic ups and downs and sociological shifts is the challenge that every industry must embrace to stay viable.
Be the Expert
While the amount of information available at a buyer's or seller's fingertips continues to grow, the real estate transaction becomes more complicated. Some of the information available via the Internet is accurate and some of it is inaccurate. Playing the role of the expert that can successfully navigate this information minefield is one of the most valuable services a real estate agent can offer.
One of the best examples of the discrepancies that arise out of too many so-called authority websites is when you compare valuation calculations. It is easy to see that the appraisal values for properties vary widely depending on which site you visit. A professional real estate agent can offer an expert opinion and guide buyers and sellers through the maze of misinformation that is so easy to find, but so hard to decipher.
Sell Your Negotiation Skills
A real estate agent is in the unique position to save his clients substantial money by negotiating the best contract on behalf of his client. With hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake in most transactions, a professional agent who knows how to read real estate contracts and understands the significance of key clauses can serve their clients and easily justify their commission. Horror stories abound in the industry about buyers not understanding the contract signed and missing key deadlines or sellers losing a sale because the buyers did not qualify for a loan.
The details in a contract matter. Real estate agents need to fully explain the elements of the contract to their client. This service alone is truly valuable.
Sell Your Influence and Contacts
A professional real estate agent has a trusted team of professionals they work with and can recommend to buyers and sellers. Hiring the right inspector, loan officer, pest control company or attorney can be difficult if you are trying to hire them off a list on the Internet. Real estate agents are a part of a team that they can promote to buyers and sellers.
With the real estate market finally on the rise, you may be thinking about getting in on the fun. Getting into real estate manifests in a few different ways. Whether you want to be a real estate agent, mortgage broker, or a property manager, getting started the right way will pay off.
Becoming a Real Estate Agent
Before you get started in becoming a real estate agent, there are a few minor requirements you'll have to meet first. You need to be at least 18 years old (some states require you to be 19 years of age), be a legal US resident, complete prelicensing education requirements, and pass the state license examination. You'll also want to make sure that working in real estate is the right move for you. As an agent, you'll basically be your own boss, so if you aren't self-motivated, this could be a catastrophe. You'll also work unconventional hours. It's likely a lot of your weekends will be spent showing properties, holding open houses, and brokering deals. You'll also have clients that look at dozens of houses and waste many hours of your time only to decide they don't want to buy a house and you just worked for free. A real estate agent's income isn't that predictable either; you can sell three houses in one month and then you could go months without selling one property.
Prelicensing Courses
Next, you'll need to apply for a prelicensing course to begin your real estate training. This course will fulfill your education requirements, and they're typically offered at local real estate schools or technical schools. You might be able to find a home study course or take an online course. Always enroll in a reputable school with licensed instructors. This course is intensive and shouldn't be taken lightly otherwise you'll have difficulty passing your state licensing exam, so be prepared to devote a lot of time studying and preparing.
Planning Ahead for the Exam
The application process varies in each state. As soon as you sign up for your prelicensing course, check your state's exam schedule. You'll want to take the test as soon as possible after your course while the information is still fresh. The exam is state specific and requires a fee to sit for it. Some states require you to pass a background check and submit your fingerprints before you can take the test, and this process might take weeks. This emphasizes how important it is for you to plan ahead so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
Once you pass the test, it doesn't mean you have your license. You'll need to find a real estate broker to finish your paperwork and submit it to your state's licensing board. Once the state has accepted your paperwork, you'll get your license and you can practice under the sponsorship of the broker.
If you're motivated, willing to work long hours, and you love spending time with people, then getting into real estate could be a dream job for you. Whether you want to specialize in selling newly built homes or you desire to become an agent devoted to historic properties, there's a niche carved out just for you. If you're devoted to your real estate training, you'll wind up with a rewarding career.
Conclusion
A real estate transaction is a complicated affair. The hardest part of the process just begins after a home has been selected. When it is time to negotiate the contract, that's when you truly need a professional.
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