There are many different parts involved in residential real estates such as home inspectors, appraisers, contractors, mortgage loan officers, buyers and sellers, property managers, bankers, and government agencies.
The real workhorses for real estate transactions however are brokers and real estate agents, the ones that are coordinating the entire process of each transaction.
A real estate agent that is good at their job can be compared to a symphony conductor. They have to coordinate all the players in order to make a transaction successful, just as a conductor must bring all players together to create a symphony of music.
A real estate agent plays many roles in the various points of the process. Sometimes they are an analyst, an advocate for the buyer, a salesperson, a manager for the business, a marketer, a negotiator, and a consultant, to name just a few of the hats worn by an agent. Because of these many hats, there are also a number of traits and qualities that a real estate professional must possess in order to succeed.
Below are some of the top traits that a real estate agent needs in order to be successful.
The Mindset of a Problem Solver
Is coming up with a creative way to solve issues or problems something that you enjoy? Well, many agents in real estate know a variety of ways to show off a home to make it more appealing.
They also know how to develop listings in the MLS that are creative and attract the buyers they are looking for.
Being Self-Motivated
Being able to control your destiny and become your own boss is a desired trait for most of the top professionals in real estate. In order to be successful in your real estate business, you need a lot of drive, smart decision-making, and self-motivation.
It is important that you can be motivated and know what needs to be done and go after it.
Integrity and Honesty
Reputation is key when it comes to becoming a real estate agent. In order to be successful as a real estate agent, you need both honesty and integrity.
One way you can show that as an agent you have ethical standards that are high is to become a member of the National Association of REATORS®. In order to be a member, you have to pledge to a Code of Ethics that is strict and Standards of Practice.
Tenacity and Hustle
You need to have a great work ethic in order to be a real estate agent that produces well. You need the tenacity to go after every single lead and you need to be able to hustle in order to market aggressively for the properties of your clients so that you can succeed.
It is more than just putting in a lot of your own time. It is about smart working, putting in the right amount of time, and you will need to do all that you need in order to close your deals.
Traits of a Great Real Estate Agent
An Interest in Architecture and Homes
If you have a real interest in homes and architecture, you will have an advantage over other salespeople or brokers. Knowing details about the homes you are trying to sell it is worth finding out what you can about the homes history is and structural facts.
Having that knowledge or interest in your career will become apparent to the clients and it will make them more interested in working with you as you care about what you do.
A Personality That is Engaging
Selling properties is not the only thing that a good real estate agent should be selling, they need to be selling themselves.
Showing your personality, your real personality. You get better responses from people when you are personable, have a great attitude, honesty, and confidence in what you do. You should also have an interest in helping others as it is one of the main parts of being a real estate agent.
Detail Focused
If you notice the little things, you likely will make a good real estate agent. Paying close attention to all the details is vital to a career in real estate.
A good real estate agent is attentive and they are aware of the specific needs of all of their individual clients. An organized person can communicate well, follow up with the leads they receive and are able to pay attention to their client’s needs. This, in turn, will help them to close more deals.
Knowing and Understanding Your Local Housing Market
A real estate agent that is doing well will utilize and appreciate the nuances which make up a specific housing market within a community and have a unique strategy for pricing.
Success for an agent in this manner comes from developing and identifying a niche or focus within the local market for real estate. One that allows you to put yourself above the competition. This is not an easy task unless you have a knack for it, and you won’t know until you try!
Form a Connection Network
A successful real estate agent has a network of contacts that is vast and all serve a purpose within their specific market. This connections list can include brokers, interested buyers and sellers, other real estate agents, home inspectiors, mortgage loan officers, appraisers, and other players within the industry of real estate.
Connections are a key part of being a real estate agent, and you will not get very far without cultivating at least a few, but the more you have the better off you will be.
The Power of Knowledge
Keeping yourself informed on the latest topics in the local market and in real estate will help a real estate agent to better serve their clients in the most effective manner. Keeping up with professional development and education opens doors for more opportunities that allow you to expand your options for your business.
This is where the real estate crash course in Los Angeles will also help you to stay at the top of the real estate field. Knowledge truly is power, and the more you know, the better off you will be.
Curiosity
You should hear 80 percent of the things your agent says at first be questions, rather than a pitch or resume. They can only help you if they understand your needs, and that is how they learn about you. Consequently, you can be certain that you are being persuaded, rather than manipulated, as a deal advances so that everyone wins.
Mindset of Technology
When using technology in their business practices, real estate agents are able to offer modern solutions that integrate data, automation, artificial intelligence, and transparency. While selling, buying, or renting a home, data and automation can help clarify the real estate market.
Communication
Transparency and communication are the things I’d look for. Despite the need to maintain client confidentiality, it is essential that agents are able to communicate in a clear and transparent manner with clients. Emails and texts allow you to have a record of communication “in writing.” Building a rapport with clients and business partners is also extremely important.
A Passion for Real Estate
Tell me what you mean, not what you want to hear. When selecting an agent, basic requirements are direct and candid communication, market knowledge, information on numbers, willingness to hustle, and consistent follow-up. After finding these characteristics, it is important that the agent demonstrates a genuine passion for real estate. If the agent lacks passion, all the other traits fall short.
IQ (Emotional Intelligence)
A market leader can typically be distinguished from a distinctly average agent by their emotional intelligence. In order to provide well-thought-out and meaningful solutions to your clients’ real estate problems, it is essential to read and understand them. When you do that, clients will come to you instead of you selling to them.
Work Ethic
Good agents have a strong work ethic that sets them apart from the average ones. It’s unfortunate to say that this business doesn’t have a magic wand. It’s imperative for an agent to work harder than their competitor real estate agents. While it may be difficult to track down that hard-working agent, once you do, the effort you put into finding them will be well worth it.
Integrity
Integrity is one of the biggest characteristics you should look for in a real estate agent. Integrity is closely associated with many other key characteristics. When these qualities come together, they will yield a successful, professional outcome.
Trustworthiness
An essential characteristic is a trustworthiness. Consider whether this person has demonstrated that they are professional and that they put the needs of their clients first. It is important to trust the person you work with, so being trustworthy is a key factor in getting clients, as well as referrals for more work.
Listening Skills
You can’t measure it, but you must be able to listen to what others are saying. Because agents cannot be taught information, they must take time to listen to others’ opinions. The customer will provide you with all the necessary information you need to know if you listen. An agent should encourage customers to converse and step back when necessary. Taking notes is acceptable when appropriate, but be sure to ask if they mind. That way, you’ll know they’re paying attention.
Resourcefulness
Transactions in real estate are complex, requiring effective handling of many unknown factors. When you work with a resourceful agent, you never have to settle for less, and you are provided with multiple solutions that will help you reach your goals. Experience and innovative thinking are both key to resourcefulness. Find an agent who has these qualities in order to help you with your next transaction or become an agent like this if you plan to be a good real estate agent.
Experience
You should look for an agent who has good problem-solving skills, a strong negotiation strategy, and composure, but the most important thing is that they are trustworthy. There are so many data, information, and options available on the internet that it is easy to learn the basics. For a successful transaction, it is essential to have a professional who understands the nuances.
Availability and Responsiveness
An important aspect of customer service is responsiveness. Good agents make time to meet with their clients, no matter how busy they are. Rather than just working the deal and moving on, great agents treat their clients like their most valued possessions. You should also make yourself available to your clients at all times.
Good Energy
Good energy is a very important quality in an agent. How positive and grounded are they? How confident are you in their abilities? Relationships in real estate are everything, and energy reveals everything about a person. During the transaction, you’ll develop a stronger bond with your agent. Someone you can trust, who feels good about you, and who has good energy is ideal.
Summing It All Up
When it all comes down to it, what you put into your real estate business is what you get. Real estate businesses have a certain level of investment that is needed in order to be successful. An investment of time, money, and energy.
This goes for any other type of business opportunity as well. If you have traits similar to those above and you are passionate about real estate, then you have a great opportunity to do well in a successful and long career in real estate.
