A real estate salesperson is a licensed professional who helps clients buy or sell properties. While this describes the career in a nutshell, a real estate agent’s job is multi-faceted. Keep reading to learn the answer to “what does a real estate salesperson do?”
What Is a Real Estate Salesperson?
Each state licenses real estate salespersons to assist clients with their real estate transactions, such as buying, selling, leasing, or renting properties.
Most real estate agents work for brokerages. Their work must be overseen by more experienced real estate agents, typically called brokers. While real estate agents work under brokerages, their income is usually dependent on the commissions they earn from overseeing transactions.
Although many real estate agents work in residential real estate, others focus on commercial or industrial properties.
What Does a Real Estate Salesperson Do?
How does a real estate agent spend their day? One benefit of working as a real estate salesperson is that they complete varied activities in the course of a workday. You may meet with prospective clients in the morning, list properties on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in the afternoon, and show homes in the evening. Variety is one reason people are drawn to the career.
In addition to variety, people are drawn to real estate because it allows for flexible schedules. You can get the kids off to school and pick them up in the afternoon while working in real estate. However, you may have to work evenings and weekends – when your clients are more likely to be available to meet with you.
If varied tasks and a flexible schedule appeal to you, consider a career as a real estate agent. Here are some of the roles and responsibilities of real estate salespeople to help you determine if the field is a right fit for you.
Real estate salesperson roles & responsibilities
What will you do day to day as a real estate salesperson? Here are six common tasks to expect while working as an agent.
1. Finding properties
As a buyer’s agent, you will spend part of your time finding properties for purchase, rent, or lease that meet your client’s criteria. This will require you to get to know your clients, their needs, and their budget.
Once you have found possible properties, you will need to set up appointments for showings and learn as much as possible about the properties from appraisers, home inspectors, and other real estate agents.
If the buyer decides to make an offer on the property, it will be up to you to write the necessary contracts and communicate with the seller’s agent. Of course, buyer’s agents also negotiate on behalf of their clients for the best terms and prices.
2. Listing properties
When you are not working with buyers, you will be working with sellers.
You’ll meet with clients with properties for sale or rent and help them set an asking price based on the current local market activity and comparable properties. You’ll also advise your clients on how to prepare the interior and exterior of the property for listing.
Listing agents also market the property for sale by taking photos, preparing listings, and writing sales copy.
When an offer comes in, you will negotiate on behalf of your client for the best terms and price.
3. Property valuation
Property valuation is the task of both buyer’s and seller’s agents. It’s vital that you understand how home values are determined so the real estate transaction goes smoothly.
For example, a home priced too high will sit on the market longer – frustrating your seller. It may also not appraise for the asking price, leading to headaches for a buyer financing the transaction.
And, of course, as a buyer’s agent, you want to help your clients get the best real estate deals possible. The ability to spot overpriced or bargain properties will make you a popular agent.
4. Advertising & marketing for listings
You will be responsible for marketing the property as a seller’s agent.
Only real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a database of properties for sale in a given region. However, an MLS listing is only one aspect of real estate marketing.
Real estate agents often list their clients’ properties for sale on several websites. They put up signs, schedule open houses, and even use social media to spread the word about properties for sale.
5. Hosting open houses & property viewings
If you are a fan of real estate reality TV, you are familiar with what happens during property viewings and open houses. In fact, those shows may be what sparked an interest in a career in real estate.
What you don’t see on those shows is the time and effort spent organizing open houses and scheduling showings. There’s a lot to coordinate as a real estate agent, which means it’s a great profession for organized people with excellent communication skills.
6. Prospecting
Working as a real estate agent is like running your own business. You always have to be on the lookout for new clients, and the field can be competitive.
Successful real estate agents get involved in the communities they serve. They get to know the movers and shakers, including government and business leaders, by joining civic organizations and participating in community events.
Real estate agents must always look for ways to expand their network and make it known that they are available to help with any real estate needs.
Types of Real Estate Salespersons
Residential real estate is only one of many niches to consider. Here are some other types of real estate salespersons.
1. Investment properties
Some real estate salespeople focus on investment properties. They help those who want to include real estate in their investment portfolio find properties that promise substantial returns.
2. Commercial properties
Commercial real estate involves working with businesses, investors, and developers to find suitable properties. Some people specialize in this niche, focusing on retail space or warehouses.
3. Multi-family properties
Some real estate salespeople help buyers and sellers with real estate transactions involving multi-family dwellings. In addition to helping with this specific type of real estate transaction, some real estate salespeople go into property management and help owners with the rental process.
4. Rural properties
Some real estate agents focus on farms, ranches, and other rural properties. A lot goes into these transactions, and a working knowledge of the agriculture industry is helpful for real estate agents going into this niche.
5. Luxury real estate
Some people focus on a specific type of residential property – like vacation homes or luxury real estate. Special training is available for those wanting to enter this lucrative but competitive niche.
Now that you know the answer to the question, “What does a real estate salesperson do?” you may be more excited than ever to get involved in the field. The great news is that being a real estate agent doesn’t require a college degree. In fact, you can complete the licensing process in as little as six months in most states.
Learn more by visiting Colibri Real Estate. Select your state from the drop-down bar to learn the licensing requirements. Then, start your new career today by enrolling in Colibri Real Estate’s required pre-licensing courses.
