getting a real estate license: Is a Real Estate career Right for You?

Is a Real Estate career Right for You?

So, you’re considering a career as a real estate agent! You’ve chosen a great industry, with plenty of opportunities for growth. But how do you know if it’s right for you?

You don’t have to be a housing expert to become a real estate agent, and you don’t have to come to the field pre-equipped with all the skills and knowledge. You’ll learn many of the technical things through your licensing course and on the job. But before you take those steps, see if your interests are in alignment with a real estate career by looking at some of the typical requirements of real estate agents.

Below, we’ve listed some of the ways you can tell if a career in real estate is right for you. So you can get out that pen and paper, and start making your pros and cons list now!

Be Your Own Boss

Although you’ll be working under a real estate broker (at least at first), as a real estate agent, you’ll need to possess the ability to work independently. Whether you continue working with a broker or become a broker yourself, you’ll need all the skills of being your own boss! On the surface, this may sound like a no-brainer in the “pros” column, but keep in mind that this also requires a high degree of organization, focus, and dedication.

Flexible Schedules

This one goes right alongside being your own boss. Real estate isn’t your typical 9-5 job. Again - whether this goes in the pros or cons list is entirely up to you! On the pros side, you won’t have to be in an office for eight or nine hours every day, and you’ll have more freedom to take care of miscellaneous personal tasks throughout the week. However, as a real estate agent you’ll need to be open to working some odd hours, and sometimes up to 7 days a week. Your schedule depends on the needs of your clients. Keep in mind that for many people, the only time they have free to look at houses is after work hours or on weekends.

Helping People

Do you love working with and talking to other people? This is a must for real estate agents! Your job will be to assist people as they make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lifetime, and for most this is also a big emotional and personal decision. As a real estate agent, you’ll need to be prepared to assist your clients with care and compassion. If you’re ready to do so and enjoy helping people, real estate could be a hugely rewarding career for you!

Problem Solving

No job comes without its fair share of hiccups and roadblocks. Real estate is no exception. You’re bound to face unexpected complications in your transactions, and you’ll need to be prepared to solve those problems and walk your clients through them (with at least the appearance of ease).

Interest in Housing, Interior Design, or Architecture

You don’t need to be an expert in architecture to become a real estate agent, but you should at least have an interest in home design, architecture, or decor. It might get pretty difficult to sell a home if you yourself aren’t interested!

So - is real estate right for you? You can use these tips to start building your pros and cons list, gain a little insight into your interests and strengths, and see how they might serve you in a real estate career!

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