What makes a great real estate agent? Is it finesse? Is it luck? Is it a sparkling smile and a charming personality? These all definitely help, but to become a top producer in your area, you need more than just luck and plastering your face on bus benches. Master your craft with our 3 habits of successful real estate agents:
Routine, routine, routine
When it comes to real estate, no two days are alike. One day you’re farming and distributing marketing materials and the next you’re glued to the computer responding to emails. The best way to stay productive throughout your week is to create a weekly routine.
Define your goals
Before you create your own personalized routine, you must define your goals. What do you want to accomplish during the week? What does your ideal work day look like? Realistically, how much time can you allot to each task? Make sure you don’t overreach and bite off more than you can chew — there are only 24 hours in a day and you should be asleep for at least a quarter of those.
Create a schedule
Once you’ve written down all the tasks you’d like to complete in each work day, the next step is to create a schedule. Having a routine creates structure, makes you more efficient and saves you time, all of which are necessities for surviving that hectic agent life. Which times of the day are you most productive? How much time do you need for breaks to rejuvenate yet still stay productive? Take these things into consideration when developing your schedule for each day.
Adapt
When developing your weekly routine, keep in mind that life has a sense of humor and loves to throw curveballs. It’s your job as an agent to adapt to these changes and modify your schedule where need be. Your routine and your ability to adapt are your roadmaps to success — will your plan bring you there?
Master the art of communication
The way you communicate has a huge impact on your success as an agent. Are you quick to follow up on emails? Do you take the time to answer all of your clients’ questions? Are you an active listener? To be a successful real estate agent, you must master the art of communication.
Verbal vs. nonverbal
It’s often what isn’t said that’s more important than what you say. From facial expressions to body language, the nonverbal cues you share with your clients can increase trust, clarity, and add interest to your presentation…if done correctly. Maintain eye contact with your client and pay attention to your posture and movement throughout your conversation.
Active listening
To be an effective communicator, you must also master the art of active listening. When you make a conscious effort to truly listen and understand what your client is communicating, you can identify their needs and gather all of the information you need to fulfill them. Great agents recap conversations not only to show they’re paying attention but to show they’re making a conscious effort to understand them.
Relate & empathize
There are some people who have a knack for clicking with others. Either you know one, or you are one. To be a successful agent, you must build meaningful connections by building rapport. Both selling and buying a home are emotional experiences — recognize your clients’ feelings and support them through the moving process. Empathy is the key ingredient to relating to your clients and improving communication.
The importance of understanding your client
Continuous improvement
Keeping up with the latest trends, tech, and industry news is a requirement for being a top agent. The more knowledgeable you become about your industry, the more likely you are to develop a competitive edge over other agents.
Read the top books for real estate agents, download the best apps for open houses, and continue your education through courses and training. Successful agents consistently build brand awareness and generate leads by improving their marketing skills and social media skills. Self-development is key to a successful life and career.
Think of it like this: when you invest in yourself, you invest in your business.