Real estate can be a challenging industry to crack into, but Virginia Brookes, Director at Resolver Recruitment, says the rewards of selling someone their dream home makes it all worthwhile.
"It's the only industry where you can earn a six-figure salary without a university degree, so the financial side and the lifestyle on offer can be very rewarding," she told WILLIAMS MEDIA.
"It's very rewarding when you help someone find their new home."
Whether you're looking at making a major career change or are simply starting out in the industry, here are five signs a career in real estate is perfect for you.
1. You're resilient
Resilience is key if you want to make it successfully in real estate, says Brookes. "You need to have resilience, both mentally and physically as it can be a very tough industry to crack and maintain traction in," she said.
2. You're committed
If you're keen on a career in real estate, Brookes says you must be prepared for the long hours and hard work. "Weekend work can be hard, clients may need to see you after hours so it's not always going to be a 9 to 5 role. However, it's the only industry where you can earn a six figure salary without a university degree, so the financial side and lifestyle on offer can be very rewarding," she said.
3. You're flexible
Flexibility and adaptability are key qualities any good real estate agent should possess, says Brookes. It's important for an agent to be able to 'read' their client and adapt to suit their needs and communication preferences. "You need to be prepared to do regular CPD training and keep up to date with compliance and legislative changes as well," Brookes said.
4. You're a people person
People skills are key to having a successful career in real estate, says Brookes. Building positive relationships with clients is one of the biggest parts of the job, so being a people person is an absolute must, as are top notch communication skills. One of the biggest frustrations for buyers is dealing with an agent who fails to clearly communicate important information or who doesn't listen to the needs of the client.
5. You're tenacious
A good agent needs to be proactive in chasing new leads, calling potential buyers, and communicating with existing clients, so tenacity and determination are key attributes. "It's hard work at the start but that hard work will pay off and you can have an extremely rewarding career," Brookes said.
