Don’t assume a career in real estate means only dealing with people’s investments. There are many more details, projects, tasks and trials that make up a day-in-the-life of a real estate agent. Buying and selling homes is only a small part of what real estate agents do. You must be prepared to handle the tasks that come well before the transaction.

Be able to work independently

You need to have passion, dedication, commitment, optimal time management, and organizational skills to succeed. When you don’t have a set schedule and a manager demanding that you come in on time, the snooze button and taking a day off to relax can be tempting. One of the biggest advantages to being a real estate agent is that you are your own boss. If you’ve never been an independent contractor before, the amount of work you’re responsible for may surprise you. Since you are your own boss, you’re not only a real estate agent who meets with clients to buy and sell homes. You are also a manager, a marketer, a publicist, and a salesperson to name a few roles. You need to be able to work independently.

Choose the “right” broker

Finding the best broker that suits your specific career goals isn’t always clear. While there are many exceptional brokers out there, it’s imperative to find one that aligns with your goals and values. You want to ensure your broker provides the support you need to take your career to the next levelAsk potential brokers about the training offered, tools and additional support they will provide you to get you started. Keep in mind fees may be attached with joining that brokerage: dues, insurance, technology, training, or desk costs.

Expect to work hard

As a new real estate agent, you’ll be spending a significant amount of time simply trying to convince potential clients to trust you with their investment. With next to no, this is more challenging than most new real estate agents expect. You will have to work extremely hard to break out of that “amateur real estate agent” status. This is why it’s so important to choose the right broker. When done properly, you can leverage their success and expertise to gain prospective client trust.

You Will Never Stop Learning

There’s always something new for you to learn and that keeps the job exciting. No two houses are the same; no two clients are the same and no two days are the same when you’re a real estate agent. With some careers, the learning stops as soon as you obtain your degree. This is not the case in the real estate industry. Since the real estate market is constantly changing, you need to be willing to learn constantly. But that’s what’s exciting about this business.