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Real Estate Sales Agents

Overview

Real estate sales agents help people buy, sell, and rent homes and properties by showing them around, handling paperwork, and negotiating deals. They use digital listing services and social media to advertise properties, prepare contracts and legal documents, and advise clients on market prices and mortgage options. This career involves lots of client interaction, flexible schedules, and the opportunity to work independently while collaborating with brokers, lenders, and other professionals. Most agents need a high school diploma plus specialized real estate licensing courses and training.
Real Estate Sales Agents

Did you know?

Real estate agents must obtain state-specific licenses through pre-licensing education, state exams, and ongoing continuing education requirements.

At a Glance

Median Wage

$54,593.27 Avg/yr

Growth

Stable

Top Skill

Operations Analysis

Key Responsibilities

  • Locate and appraise undeveloped areas for building sites, based on evaluations of area market conditions.
  • Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property, advising them on the suitability and value of the homes they are visiting.
  • Contact property owners and advertise services to solicit property sales listings.
  • Coordinate appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
  • Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
  • Advise sellers on how to make homes more appealing to potential buyers.
  • Display commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties to clients and explain their features.
  • Arrange for title searches to determine whether clients have clear property titles.
  • Contact utility companies for service hookups to clients' property.
  • Appraise properties to determine loan values.
  • Evaluate mortgage options to help clients obtain financing at the best prevailing rates and terms.
  • Visit properties to assess them before showing them to clients.
  • Review plans for new construction with clients, enumerating and recommending available options and features.
  • Develop networks of attorneys, mortgage lenders, and contractors to whom clients may be referred.
  • Contact previous clients for prospecting of referral business.
  • Investigate clients' financial and credit status to determine eligibility for financing.
  • Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
  • Arrange meetings between buyers and sellers when details of transactions need to be negotiated.
  • Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
  • Secure construction or purchase financing with own firm or mortgage company.
  • Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
  • Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
  • Answer clients' questions regarding construction work, financing, maintenance, repairs, and appraisals.
  • Review property listings, trade journals, and relevant literature, and attend conventions, seminars, and staff and association meetings, to remain knowledgeable about real estate markets.
  • Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
  • Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
  • Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
  • Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
  • Solicit and compile listings of available rental properties.
  • Inspect condition of premises, and arrange for necessary maintenance or notify owners of maintenance needs.
  • Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
  • Rent or lease properties on behalf of clients.
  • Conduct seminars and training sessions for sales agents to improve sales techniques.

Career Considerations

State Licensing Requirements

Real estate agents must obtain state-specific licenses through pre-licensing education, state exams, and ongoing continuing education requirements.

Commission-Based Income Variability

Income is typically commission-based, resulting in highly variable earnings that depend on market conditions and individual sales performance.

Competitive Market Environment

The American real estate market is highly competitive, requiring strong networking, marketing skills, and effective client relationship management.

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BETA
New York

25 Kent Ave, Suite 401
Brooklyn, NY
11249


North Carolina

204 N Person
Street. Raleigh, NC
27601

Australia

Level 4/80
Wentworth Ave,
Surry Hills,
Sydney, 2010