Because most of them are independent contractors, they usually don’t have specific time for work within the week. This means that they may work less or more than the standard 40 hours per week of work and may even work on holidays and weekends.

Most of the time, real estate agents are not found on their desks because they are busy showing their prospective clients the different properties they are selling. When in office, these agents usually spend their time searching on the internet about properties that are for sale.

Interested to be a Real Estate Agent? Here’s how.

Real estate agents and brokers cannot sell any real property without a license. Regardless of educational attainment, the agent will have to take a licensure exam for them to work as brokers and agents. The required number of hours for training varies for every state.

If passed, the licensed broker or agent must renew their licenses (depending on the number of years the State policy requires for them to renew their license). For renewal of licenses, no exams will be taken only fulfillment of some licensing requirements.

Aside from the license, it is also essential for a licensed real estate agent to have the right personality because the profession entails interaction with clients. The top five skills necessary for a real estate agent include active listening wherein he/she gives his/her full attention to what the other party is saying and understanding their points, ask questions if confused and interrupt conversations when necessary and appropriate; time management, wherein the real estate agent must have created a schedule so he/she can accommodate bookings of clients, valuing each his/her client’s time; the skill to negotiate is as well essential because through this you make the buyer and seller’s differences meet to a certain point of agreement; the skill to talk to others effectively and make them known of the proposals and agreements; and the reading skill wherein the real estate agent can understand the sentences and paragraphs depicted in documents pertaining to work.

In addition, real estate agents must have a pleasant personality, must present himself/herself very well and honest. Clients would love to deal with agents, who show signs of maturity, enthusiasm and good judgment. Trustworthiness is as well a must for a real estate agent because only through this that a client and agent relationship be built. Equally essential characteristics of a real agent are that he/she must be detail-oriented, organized and the ability to recognize faces or names. And of course, having top of the line credit is a must for anyone looking to purchase property.

Training programs are also given to both beginners and experienced agents for them to enhance further their skills. Over the years, agents will gain knowledge on real estate business and become efficient when it comes to transacting business deals. With such expertise, agents will surely have advancement opportunities that include increase in rates of commission and higher positions.