10 Tips on How to Become a Successful Real Estate Agent

Embarking on a career in real estate holds the promise of something new and, most probably, life-changing. Whether you want to be your own boss, earn good money, or help people find their dream homes, this is a great job opportunity!

Yet, getting into real estate and succeeding is also a challenging endeavor. And that may leave you questioning: What gives the great agents their staying power, and what makes others drop off after a few months in business? Well, you came to the best blog as we are here with the answers on how to become a successful real estate agent.

1. Get Serious About Setting Goals

Most importantly, you must know for certain what success looks like to you. Remember Goal Setting = Career GPS; without it, you cruise with no target in mind.

Perhaps you want to close five deals within your first year or establish yourself as the real estate authority in a specific neighborhood. No matter what those things are, break them into smaller tasks. Write them down and roadmap how you intend to accomplish them and take ownership!

It’s so easy to get bogged down by the routine of everyday life and lose track of your goals, which can cause you to veer off course.

2. Find a Mentor, This Could Save You Years of Pain

The one piece of advice everyone always wishes about how to become a successful real estate agent they had taken earlier: Getting a mentor. Someone who came before you in the game, has an insight that no course or textbook can give. 

It takes off many rookie mistakes, guides you with valuable strategies and even throws in a few client referrals if they trust you enough. On top of that, they’ll be around to support you when you second-guess yourself (and trust us… even the best real estate professionals do sometimes). They will help you advise on how to be a good real estate agent.

Pro Insight:

Finding a mentor which specializes in what your end goal is the most important. Now, they will be able to help you in a much more hands-on manner and pertinent to where your investment strategy lies. They can also help you become a member of the National Association of Realtors(NAR). Plus, they know what it is like to be new and have no idea.

3. Locate the Perfect Real Estate Brokerage

It’s important to make sure you feel that this company aligns with not just your immediate goals but also your core values.

What to Look For:

• Do they have tutorials, walkthroughs? This is especially good if you are a beginner and want hand-holding.
• Commission Splits: Make sure you know exactly what will be coming out of your paycheck before putting pen to paper.
• Tools and Support: This includes whether they offer cutting-edge marketing tools, a top-flight CRM, or leads—anything that can help you jump in right out of the gate.

4. Become a Lifelong Learner: 

First things first: You gotta get your real estate agent license and for that you should right after finishing your pre-license course, practice for your licensing exam. The best way to prepare is by using the Lexawise exam prep resources. That’s how you ensure you get passed on your first try.

But you can’t stop with that because the thing about the real estate business is that what worked yesterday may be irrelevant tomorrow. You must work hard to always be on top of market trends to be a good realtor agent.

Stay Ahead of the Curve:

• Make sure you take additional real estate courses outside of what is necessary (reach for certifications that can differentiate yourself from everyone else!). There is a ton of real estate schools that offer great after-licensing courses.
• Tune in to webinars or podcasts, and attend conferences whenever you can.
• Keep a close watch on market trends. You don’t want to be the last to know when the tides are turning.

5. Become the Best Real Estate Agent in Open House events (they are not dead)

If properly executed, an Open House can be a lead-generating machine. Do not be mistaken; potential clients need to know that you are approachable and credible — a resource they can trust.

Here’s the deal:

Turn your Open House into an event that serves refreshments and makes all persons welcome as they enter. And, dear heavens of real estate… follow up with everyone that walked through that door! Yes, even the couple that “just popped in to take a look around” could be your next client in three or so months.

6. Network Like Your Livelihood Depended on It (It Just May)

This is kind of a no-brainer, but for all you novices out there …NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK. The best real estate agent in the world can be sitting right there, but it will not matter if nobody is aware of your presence. 

Don’t be afraid to spend most of your time at industry events, entertaining top clients or just hanging out in the community… get more face-time with people!

Networking 101:

• Put yourself out there: Real estate conferences, local happenings and even charity functions – if people are gathering, then so should you.
• Be Authentic: Customers can smell insincerity from a mile away. Create authentic relationships, not just transactional ones.
• Keep in touch: Circle back, shoot off a brief email, or like their social posts. It is those tiny memorials that keep you at their top of mind.

Network like crazy — it’ll feel metaphorically slow to start with, but take my word for this: it’s worth It. People Buy From People They Know, Like And Trust.

7. Online Presence — Mandatory in a Digital Era

Your prospects are going to Google you before they ever ring, and it is the reality. So, what are they going to find? A website that looks like it was built ages ago or no social media is profiles? That’s a problem.

You don’t have to be tech-savvy, but you do need to make sure your digital footprint is professional. Your website, social media profiles, and online reviews all need to reflect who you are as a realtor agent—and, more importantly, why someone should trust you to help them buy or sell a home.

Quick Fixes:

• Your website matters: Keep it clean, modern, and user-friendly. Showcase your listings, past clients’ reviews, and tell a bit about yourself.
• Social media is a must: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, the one you like the most, but be consistent. Share listings and market updates, and even make some personal posts to show your personality.
• SEO and reviews: Encourage clients to leave reviews and optimize your content so people can find you easily. A few glowing testimonials can work wonders for your credibility.

8. Master Communication and Customer Service

Real estate is a people business, plain and simple. They want to know what’s happening, and they want to feel like they’re your top priority (even if you have a dozen other clients).

How to crush it:

• Always be prompt with your response. Whether it is a call, a message (even those via Social media), or an email.
• Keep clients well informed about the various processes and progression of their transactions to ease concerns. Gestures like a handwritten thank you note or an email check-up after a successful closing illustrate you value their business and loyalty. 

Keep this in mind: Word-of-mouth from delighted customers is incredibly valuable for gaining new referrals.

9. Get Tech to Work Efficiently, Not Harder

In today’s real estate industry technology isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must. From Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to digital marketing tools, tech can make your work life a lot easier and help you achieve a new level of efficiency (you will thank for it later).

Here’s How to Use Tech to Your Advantage:

• CRM Systems: These are incredibly useful for organizing your contacts and staying up to date with potential leads while ensuring no important follow-ups are missed.
• Virtual Tours: They come in handy for buyers from out of town or for clients with hectic schedules who prefer to view a property remotely before visiting in person.
• Digital Ads: LinkedIn, Google, and Meta ads can enable you to connect with your desired audience in a quicker and more efficient manner compared to traditional marketing strategies.

10. Stay Persistent and Resilient: The Key on How to Be a Successful Real Estate Agent

Real talk: the real estate business isn’t all sunshine and sold signs. There will be setbacks, deals that fall apart right at the end, and slow seasons where it feels like nothing is going your way. However, persistence is key. You’ve got to keep pushing through, even when things get tough.

How to Build Resilience:

• Learn from setbacks: Every failure is an opportunity to get better.
• Keep your eye on the long game: Succeeding in real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused on your long-term goals.
• Stay positive: A positive attitude goes a long way in this business. When you believe in yourself, others will too.

Summing-Up: How to Become a Successful Real Estate Agent?

Building a successful real estate career is a journey—there will be ups and downs, but if you stick with it, you’ll come out on top. Focus on setting the right goals, continue learning, network like crazy, and, above all, treat your clients with the respect and care they deserve.

If you’re serious about becoming the best real estate agent you can be, let Lexawise help you take the next step. Our comprehensive exam prep provides everything you need to pass your real estate licensing exam on your first try.

Ready to start your journey? Sign up for Lexawise today and prepare for a successful career in real estate with the best resources at your fingertips!