A career in real estate isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain character to really thrive in the business. Even agents who have been around for decades find themselves questioning whether they are really cut out for real estate. This sort of contemplation is natural. No matter what stage you are in your career, use the list here to assess whether you have the qualities to make it in the real estate business.
Are You Genuine?
Some agents believe their job is simply to sell homes. They attempt to win over clients by showing off their knowledge and experience. In most cases, they come across as scary, pushy salespeople. Effective agents must believe they are selling more than homes. They must show a true interest in their clients’ needs and problems to better understand the solution. Consumers want someone to trust, someone to listen, and someone to discover their needs.
Selling homes starts with building relationships. Building relationships starts with being genuine.
Do You Enjoy Real Estate?
While this may seem like a silly question, it’s one you must ask yourself. Are you pursuing a career that you actually enjoy? If you have to drag yourself to the office every day, chances are you either don’t have a passion for real estate or need to work on establishing a healthier work-life balance. Remember, if you’re not having fun at work, you will not be any fun to work with.
Those who have aligned their core values with their work are truly living.
Are You Organized?
From keeping appointments to following up on leads, organization is a skill that can’t be overstated. If you are not organized in your personal life, how difficult will it be to implement organization processes in your professional life?
A plan helps you take charge as a proactive agent, not a reactive one.
Are You a People Person?
Being a social butterfly is one way to keep your leads from running dry. If you don’t particularly like meeting new people, then you’ll have a hard time meeting new clients. Consider your sphere of influence, which includes friends, family, and acquaintances. Acquaintances should include everyone you’ve ever met. Are you able to interact with individuals you meet casually? Are you comfortable delivering an effective 10-second elevator pitch?
Demonstrate your skill and professionalism with everyone you meet.
Do You Have a Positive Outlook?
Sometimes the market is up, sometimes the market is down. As a real estate professional, it’s vitally important to never get discouraged. Remember this: The universe reflects back to you the most dominant thoughts you have. When business is not doing well, you must accept the present and change the aspects of your business that you can.
Focus on solutions and persist without exception.
If you answered no to any of the items above, you need to re-examine how you manage your business and your life. The solution may be to change your mindset. It may be as simple as implementing new processes to streamline certain tasks.