What I wish I knew as a new real estate agent: part 1

Get into real estate, they said, it would be fun, they said. But is it? Well of course it is, years down the road, especially. If you are new in real estate and are in search of some tips, look no further. Here are some things well seasoned agents found out throughout their many years of being an agent! 

1. Set money aside for taxes: 

Since all real estate agents are independent contractors, taxes are not taken out of each paycheck you receive. Make sure you are setting aside money throughout the year to pay the taxes come April 15. This can help you avoid having to scramble to make up what you owe last minute. 

2. Be weary with family and friends: Family can be the best or worst clients. They can be the toughest on you, or they can want nothing to do with you to avoid mixing family with business. The key is, don’t take it to heart. However it goes, do your best to separate it and think about what is best for you and them in the moment. If they are weary about working with you, refer them to someone you know they can trust. And if they are super tough on you as a client, show them how great you are at your job and why they made the right choice. 

3. It is not always as intimidating as it seems: Real estate is very challenging and time consuming, but when first starting it can be really intimidating to make a mistake. You are afraid that the world may come crashing down if you miss one little thing, but truly it won’t. You will get back up and keep moving forward. Mistakes are how you learn and how you become a better agent.

4. Push yourself out of your comfort zone sooner: Putting yourself out there can really be scary but in real estate it is a MUST. You have to market yourself and be your own cheerleader. This can be scary for some people, but it is what real estates have to do in order to bring in the work. The more you put yourself out there, the more it will pay off. So many agents have said that they got leads from postcards, social media posts, talking to a stranger at the store, EVERYWHERE. You have to be ready to pitch yourself and win the deal. The pay off will 100% be worth it. 

5. There is SO much that goes on behind the scenes: This last tip is a bit of hindsight. For those who are looking to become agents, know there is so much that goes on behind the scenes. Or if you are looking to buy a home yourself, know your agent is busting their butt to make sure the deal goes as smooth as possible, and oftentimes it doesn’t. But you would never know. Real estate agents often shield you from when things go awry. That is part of being an agent. You may have to take one for the team but the beaming clients at the end of the tunnel are also so worth it.

   Haley Galvin, Realtopia Real Estate Marketing/Brand Manager