6 Important Qualities of a Good Real Estate Agent

A good real estate agent can be compared to a symphony conductor: they make sure various players (homeowners, new purchasers, property managers, etc.) work cohesively to play a song. Or, in this case, sell a home. Being a real estate agent is demanding; it requires intensive communication, concentrated research, and a comprehensive understanding of people and the field. You play various roles: a salesperson, a client advocate, an analyst, a business manager, a marketer, etc.

The job comes with a slew of benefits: you can be your boss, you get to talk to so many different kinds of people, you can explore so many neighbourhoods, and you can help so many people discover their dream homes. However, it is demanding. Rising to the top in this industry requires much more than knowing zoning laws and tenant agreements.

Though knowledge is essential in the real estate market, your composure as a real estate agent will make or break your business. Here are the six most important qualities of a good real estate agent:

Quality #1: Patience

Patience is of the utmost importance when you are a real estate agent. A lot of the business deals with waiting and requires unrelenting patience: the process of acquiring a new client, waiting for deals to close and agreements to be signed, and waiting for clients to settle on a home.

It can take months or even years to close deals, and showing your unwavering patience to clients in the meantime shows them that you are there to support them rather than simply earn money. Buying and selling houses can also be a big deal to people; some are losing their childhood houses while others are moving into their new dream apartments. The patience to show clients around to numerous homes and host numerous open houses will put you at the top of the industry.

Quality #2: Good Communication

The importance of communication is a given. A large majority of the business is talking to others: not only clients but landlords, property managers, other real estate agents, leaders of the industry, etc. Once again, you are conducting the symphony. Good communication allows you to sell yourself as a real estate agent alongside your properties.

Communicating includes being a good listener to figure out what your clients want and achieving that vision. When you are easy to reach, attentive, and show that you care, clients will likely remember you for future transactions and are more likely to recommend you to others. You can polish your communication skills through real estate agent coaching programs. These lessons will teach you how to become a better communicator.

Quality #3: Goal-oriented

To be successful in this field, you must be goal-oriented. Serving as your boss can be a pro and a con. You get to set your hours, work as much as you want, and hire those you like. However, you also must be able to set your own goals, practice discipline to achieve them, and keep others in check. Setting both short-term and long-term goals provides you with the motivation to continue putting your best foot forward despite the challenges you may face.

Quality #4: Persistent

Once you have set goals for yourself, persistence is key. Working towards your goals in the face of adversity will define your career as a real estate agent. Perhaps you are in a slump with clients turning to other real estate agents. What will you do then?

Instead of taking no for an answer, you must be able to figure out how to achieve your goal from another angle. Yes, this requires self-motivation, drive, and good decision-making. Persistence is always required: you must be persistent in turning contacts into prospects and prospects into clients.

Quality #5: Solution-oriented

Alongside persistence, you must also be solution-oriented. There will always be problems around you: a pipe can burst during an open house, a client could fall through at the last minute, or you could even come down with a cold on the day of an important showing. Rather than dwelling on the negatives, you must be able to move forward using critical solution-based thinking.

Come up with questions: “Who can fix the pipe? How can I convince my client? Can I find somebody else to show the place?” Once you have done that, work on the solution! Others rely on you and treating that reliance with optimism and persistence will help you create great success in the field.

Quality #6: Honesty and integrity

Finally, honesty and integrity are key character traits of a good real estate agent. Your professional reputation is crucial to your career. You could be the best listener, come up with the best solutions, and set amazing goals.

Still, if your professional reputation is tarnished by misconduct or a lack of honesty, it will be almost impossible to build and maintain relationships. These clients are putting their faith in you, believing you can find them their dream home— you do not want to break that trust seal.