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A Washington Real Estate Career:
Becoming a Real Estate Agent
What a challenging and rewarding career path to take! As a real estate professional, you’ll contribute to building communities and fulfilling people’s dreams of homeownership. Almost daily, you’ll guide people through the largest single purchase of their lifetimes. How exciting!
A real estate career offers the opportunity to be your own boss, enjoy considerable personal freedom, and have unlimited earning potential.
Find out if a real estate career is right for you
Changing careers can be an emotional roller coaster…do I have what it takes…am I too old…am I too young…what is it going to cost me? Experts agree: Gaining as much knowledge as you can before you take the plunge will better prepare you to succeed in the long run. Want more information about a new career in Real Estate? Check out our FREE articles to help you decide if a real estate career is a good match for you:
- Get Your License in Three Easy Steps
Getting your license is easy as 1-2-3 (FREE Download)
- Is Real Estate Really for You?
Who is attracted to the profession and why? (FREE Download)
- Where to Start Working in Real Estate
Five proven strategies for finding the right brokerage (FREE Download)
- Nine Things to do for More Referrals
It takes more than just "staying in touch" (FREE Download)
- Have the Right Mindset to Get Referrals?
Use these nine tips to build your referral-based business (FREE Download)
Characteristics of a Successful Real Estate Agent's Career
Those who excel in real estate tend to be:
- Independent and self-motivated
- Content to work flexible hours
- Most comfortable with daily variety
- Detail-oriented
- Computer-savvy
- At ease with many types of people
- Strongly connected in their communities
- Driven by high personal goals
- Professional and dedicated to customer service
A Day in the Life of a Washington Real Estate Agent
Because every transaction is unique, there is no “typical day” in a real estate agent’s life. You’ll spend a good portion of every day prospecting and getting listings—two of the most vital functions, especially in the beginning. Initially, many listings will come from friends and relatives, or through targeting a particular neighborhood intensively.
As an agent, you’ll spend a lot of time arranging to view properties to determine which ones match your prospective buyers’ needs and wants. Then, you’ll actually show the properties. Preparing offers is another important and detailed process, involving great care and legal accuracy.
Starting Out
Most agents operate independently, under the supervision of a broker. After getting your Washington real estate license, you’ll essentially launch and develop your own business, spending considerable time prospecting for buyers and sellers. Brokers and real estate agencies typically help new agents launch their careers with good training and mentoring programs.
You may want to run your own brokerage in the future or elect to focus on sales, while working under a larger organization’s umbrella. You can also choose to specialize in a particular area, such as:
- Commercial
- Residential
- New homes
- Rural property
- Condominiums
- Relocations
- Property management
Unlimited Earning Potential
Though compensation plans can vary, in general, you will be paid a commission on the purchase price of property you sell or lease. For example, if you list and sell a property, the commission is paid to your broker who then splits it with you. If another agent lists the property and you sell it, the total commission is first split between the two brokers (listing and selling), who then distribute the appropriate percentages to you and the other agent.
Earnings vary according to geographic area, specialization, and market conditions, as well as an agent’s experience, training, skills, and contacts. Most importantly, the effort you put in—day in and day out—determines how much you bring home. It’s simple: The harder you work, the more you make. The sky’s the limit!
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