You're a New Real Estate Agent: Things You Wish Knew Before You Started

Congratulations, you've just received your new real estate license. You've signed up with a chosen real estate broker in your area and you're now learning the ropes as you build your business. Pretty soon, you start realizing there are things that happen during customer encounters that no one really told you about. It wasn't in the real estate books or on the licensing exams. These are "rubber meets the road" things to keep in mind as you build your business.

Get a Pedicure
This applies both males and females. When you do an open house, you will not be wearing shoes in the customer's home. The home will most likely be spotless and in other ways staged to make the best impression possible. You do not want any dirt or smell coming from your feet as you walk on the home's carpet. Potential customers that come to view the home will take note of the care you took to keep the house clean and will note your how well taken care of your toes are. This leaves the potential customer with a good impression even though they may be wearing shoes as they walk through the home. This also applies when deciding what shoes to wear for the day. Do not wear shoes that do not allow your feet to "breathe" as it will build a sweat up in the shoes and inner shoe residue may stick to your toes only later to be deposited onto the customer's carpet.

Carry Baby Wipes in the Car
Your vehicle must always be spotless and look as though if it has just been detailed. If you can afford it, have your vehicle detailed. Pay a friend to do it or barter for the services. Keep your dash, steering wheel and other areas of the vehicle clean by wiping down all the inner non-fabric surfaces with baby wipes on a daily basis. This will reduce the amount of dust that can accumulate and give any new potential customer the impression that you pay attention to details. If you carry an air freshener in your vehicle, make it a neutral scent such as vanilla, cinnamon or other traditionally calming smell.

Never Count on the Deal Until it Closes
Real estate transactions can take 30-45 days to close, on average, once an offer has been made and accepted by a seller and a buyer. Many things can happen from the time an offer is accepted to the time the deal is to close at escrow that can delay it or make it fall through all together. A home inspection could reveal unsafe structure damage, a need for major repairs such as a new roof or the installation of proper drainage facilities or more, causing the closing to be pushed back. A seller's situation could change and he or she could decide not sell the house after all. A buyer's situation may change and may decide to withdraw the offer. Still the lender that is funding the new purchase may discover credit discrepancies or other credit related situations when running the new final numbers that may cause funding to not be approved.

Temper all of these things with the fact that humans can be fickle. Some potential buyers will say they're serious about buying a house in the next 60 days and then at day 59 decide that buying is not for them. Real estate sales can be a tough career to succeed in. Glean as much knowledge from successful agents around you and mind the "little things" that can give you an edge.