8 Qualities To Become A Better Real Estate Agent

1. Put relationships before sales

An effective agent always puts building and maintaining relationships before the sale. Why? The answer is simple – there can be no sales without a good relationship!

Nurturing relationships is one of the fundamental tenets of the sales process. Buying and selling property is a highly personal experience — involving a long process and deep financial consideration — for most people. People want to feel like they are being taken care of, and agents need to understand their pain points and strive to relieve them as soon as possible.

The best way to manage your relationship with your client is to implement a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software that tracks and measures all your efforts with the client. Keeping an organized audit of your communication efforts will allow you to pick up where you left off every time you interact with them, leaving no room for missed opportunities.

2. Frequent communication with clients

Good business relationships are all about good communication. No client likes to work with an agent who is too busy for them.

Top tiered real estate agents will always make sure that they are communicating regularly and effectively with clients. The real estate market is extremely time-sensitive, and homebuyers and sellers seek agents who consistently keep them in the loop of any changes in the market.

Usually, agents have a list of clients to send regular marketing material , but personalizing individual emails can be very time-consuming. Using email marketing generators and drip campaigns can help you save ample time by automating preset communication. Keep in touch with clients even when they’re not active so you can always stay top of mind when the time is right.

3. Learn how to be tech-savvy

Smart agents use tech to their advantage. If you’re still using spreadsheets to organize your client details, it’s time to move on to a property system designed for real estate professionals.

Although it can be overwhelming to choose a solution in the market, managing your data properly is imperative in this data-driven age. Organize your clients, listings, approvals, marketing, and other business activities in a single platform so you and your team have full transparency and can cut down repetitive tasks.

Not only can you use a CRM to manage data, but AI technologies have been rising in the PropTech space in recent years. With AI-compatible management tools, you are able to match clients to properties that are most suited for them based on user behavioral data. Being savvy in the digital age can supercharge your productivity in the increasingly competitive landscape.

4. Team up with other real estate agents

Successful real estate agents realize that they can’t run their business alone. Having a vast network of contacts within the market you serve will help you immensely, but most people start small before they build a large enough portfolio of contacts. The best way to start is to collaborate with other real estate agents and form a mutually benefiting relationship.

Let’s say you have a returning client looking for an investment property in a region that you’re not familiar with. On the other hand, your colleague who specializes in the area has got just the right listing for your client. By sharing your needs with one another, you can reach farther and wider than your immediate circle.

Although the thought of a commission split can feel distressing, teaming up with other agents can actually increase your exposure and help your business in the long term.

5. Partner with vendors as a source for new leads

Like building an alliance with colleagues, building partnerships with others in real estate-related job functions can also help immensely. While networking is an essential part of building your clientele, don’t overlook the connections you’ve already made in your day-to-day job.

You probably already have a list of mortgage brokers, interior designers, event space coordinators, inspectors, attorneys, contractors, etc., who you regularly recommend to your clients. In that case, it’s only natural for them to return the favor. Networking with these individuals can become very resourceful as they will be able to recommend your services to their customers while you send your own clients their way.

6. Master social media

If you don’t already have a social media strategy, now’s the time to start.

Nowadays, social media plays an integral role in real estate advertising, with 52% of realtors believing social media is the top tech tool for lead generation (National Association of Realtors). It gives you an additional avenue to engage with clients and gives your brand greater exposure for potential prospects.

People can see available listings, open house information, the type of service you provide, and more. Once you tackle the right techniques, keep your audience engaged to come across as genuine and trustworthy.

7. Enhance your knowledge about the market

Market knowledge is one of the best indicators of an agent’s professionalism and level of experience. Staying up-to-date on market trends will allow you to serve clients more effectively and establish credibility. As a result, increased market awareness will help you open new doors to develop business opportunities.

Successful agents go above and beyond to stay at the forefront. If you want your expertise to stand out, spend your time reading up on the latest industry news and current market conditions to understand how home value will be impacted by changes in the economy. Expanding the boundaries of what you consider to be your “local” market and being well-versed in neighborhood insights will help you educate and serve your clients better.

8. Boundless enthusiasm

Last but not least, enthusiasm and passion for the work are what all successful real estate agents possess. Often, real estate is all about the hustle – long hours, early mornings, and late evenings. To become a top-performing agent, you will have to be self-motivated and hard-working. Not only do these qualities reflect in numbers, but it shows in the way you communicate, your negotiation skills, and how you maintain relationships.