Numerous television shows, like Love it or List It and Million Dollar Listing, glamorize the art of selling real estate. It’s no wonder that it’s been an increasingly attractive field to want to be a part of. Many young real estate agents expect success straight away, but experienced agents know firsthand that selling real estate is more work than most people ever imagine, especially as they get started.
“I think one of the biggest challenges for our younger generation is the fact that many don’t feel like doing the things valuable for success—the in-class courses, the networking and the face-to-face involvement—and it is extremely important and necessary,” says Holli Woodward, CRS.
Woodward’s son is a member of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) and a CRS. Joshua Woodward heeded his mom’s advice and has reaped the benefits. “My journey with RRC taught me the importance of involvement and engaging with members both locally and abroad, and made me passionate about seeking involvement with other organizations,” Joshua says.
“Through the knowledge I gained through RRC education courses, Sell-a-bration and other RRC events, I was able to assist with the inception of my state’s YPN and with RRC leadership for Oklahoma. With RRC, not only have I been able to enrich my business, but I’ve also received more insight into groups that I am proud to work with at the local, state and national levels.”
Although there are some successful YPN agents like Joshua, there are many who struggle just to make ends meet or to maintain success once they get a taste of it. The Council breaks down some practical tips and strategies to use when tackling the competitive real estate market to help YPN agents get set up for success and longevity in residential real estate.
Continuous education
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Being successful in real estate relies on a continuing intake of knowledge of trends or developments in the field. Real estate professionals need to constantly learn and grow to stay competitive in this busy marketplace. If you are interested in enhancing your knowledge and skills, the Council has three key courses that would be valuable to young professionals as a start:
- Pre-Listing Tips
- Conducting Your Presentation
- Leads to Listings
Find your niche
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The prestigious CRS Designation may be just a little far out of reach at first, but there are other options to help you stand out and develop your professionalism. From a customer’s perspective, distinguished professionalism can be the difference between hiring an agent or moving to the next one. Certifications are an excellent way to showcase your skills to potential clients and develop your niche market. Consider Residential Listings, Digital Marketing: Social Media, and Negotiations Certifications to better serve clients and stand out from the competition.
Build relationships
There are numerous ways to develop a network—join organizations, churches or clubs—but it’s also beneficial connecting with your local REALTOR® community of like-minded agents, or “finding your tribe.” The industry can be isolating, and finding a supportive network is crucial not only for referrals and business, but also as a resource to learn from and be encouraged by when the going gets tough.
For the cover story of the next issue of TRS we will spotlight our members under 40 who are making a difference in the industry and their communities. To be considered, email kcure@crs.com and share a story about a time you went above and beyond as an agent, the unique ways you serve your community and how you make an impact on the industry.
Photo: iStock.com/LightFieldStudios
