Women are making waves in the real estate space. Statistics from the National Association of REALTORS(NAR) show that two-thirds of all realtors are females. Among the professionals with a sales agent real estate license, around 68% are women.
These statistics represent a remarkable increase in the number of women in real estate, as when NAR started in 1908, the number of women in real estate stood at 0%. For females looking to join this industry, the following are tips on how to stand out from their peers.
1. Understand the Licensing Process
The application process for a real estate license varies slightly from one state to the next. Nevertheless, some of the steps you must complete are completing the mandatory state-required real estate course, passing the state exam for real estate, and submitting your application for a license.
2. Look into the Different Real Estate Career Paths Available
While real estate brokers and agents are the most commonly followed career paths by females, you should note that these aren’t your only available options. Other viable alternatives include positions such as rental broker, leasing agent, or property manager.
Such positions typically come with a small base salary and exciting bonuses. It’s what makes them ideal for females who are just getting started or those who may have reservations about moving to a commission-only fee career.
3. Leverage Your Personal Network
The people you know and the ones they know are all potential real estate clients. Many females excel in relationship-building and in communicating with those around them. These are attributes that can result in referrals, new leads, and repeat clients. Therefore, start telling the people in your life about your expected career change today.
4. Find a Mentor
A career in real estate comes with unrivaled autonomy, leaving you to run your business any way you see fit. However, this freedom can sometimes feel overwhelming to new female agents without much experience operating on their own.
Having someone to look up to can simplify things for you. A mentor can ‘hold your hand’ and help you navigate the pitfalls of the real estate industry. This way, you get to avoid making common mistakes while learning how to find repeat clients.
5. Build Your Online Presence to Provide Value to Real Estate Clients
Launching a real estate website early on in your career goes a long way towards giving you much-needed credibility. A website provides you with a hub for your real business – it acts as a central place to promote your services and reach out to new clients.
It also helps to establish a social media presence and begin posting helpful information for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and investors. The content you provide online should offer value to prospective clients even before they make any contact with you.
Being able to demonstrate that you’re an authority on real estate matters can increase your likelihood of converting leads into clients. Remember, these clients can turn to sales if you prove you know what you’re saying.
In real estate, being forewarned is being forearmed. Understanding the challenges, you’re likely to face can help you prepare for the journey ahead. Make sure to invest in yourself and to leverage on your network. Finding a mentor can also make it easier for you to stand out in a crowded field.