Tips to starting a career in the real estate industry

When you think about starting a career in the real estate industry, what do you imagine yourself doing? If you have little to no experience in the industry, you may imagine yourself walking through perfectly-arranged homes, pointing out the best features to pre-approved homebuyers ready to invest in a new home. While that image is heavily portrayed through television and the movies, there is far more to the real estate business than selling great homes to well-suited buyers.
Rentals, Flipping and Demolition
Most real estate agents must work with homes that are less than desirable at some point in their career. For some agents, homes in need of a heavy dose of TLC are what pay the bills most of the time. If you want to go into this industry, understand that you may need to work with contractors, investors and property renovation companies interested in purchasing rundown properties at affordable prices.
These homes are often renovated and either flipped for higher sales or used as rental properties. In some cases, homes are demolished and fresh buildings are constructed in order to make better use of good land. In these cases, the home is actually of less importance than the location of the property.
Personal Connections
You don’t walk strangers through homes and end up making big sales. The real estate industry is maneuvered by professionals with a solid grasp on the art of personal communication. These people tend to make friends wherever they go, remember names and faces in an uncanny way, and gain trust on the first meeting. If you are that type of person, then you may succeed in the industry based on your ability to get others to cooperate with and trust you.
When you Enroll in realty school, don’t focus entirely on the textbooks. That information is important, but you also need strong communication skills. Pay attention to people skills and the ability to bond with others and command trust. Those skills will help you succeed once you are out of school.

Perfect Timing
Success in real estate often comes down to being in the right place with the right people at the right time. For instance, you may run into an old friend at a party and discover that they are moving back into town and need to find a new home. Skill is important, but you have to acknowledge the happy coincidences of life as well.