Real estate is becoming a very competitive field. You need to
find a way to list properties available for sale. Beyond listing your land and
houses for sale, buyers and sellers are expecting a lot more. To succeed
as a real estate agent, you need to have something extra.
Several
skills can give you an edge and help you make more sales. These skills will
also set you apart from the competition.
Let's read
together based on my experience in the industry and what I have found to be
important. You will also note that most of these skills are important in other
industries as well. So, if you are not in real estate, you find these useful as
well. Let's get started!
1.Local area knowledge
Every
real estate agent needs to have adequate knowledge of the area within which
they are selling land or houses. If you know your locality, customers will
learn to trust and depend on you for guidance. You will need to understand real
estate regulations in Kenya. You also need to know of upcoming developments and
other real estate agents in your area.
Real
estate buyers prefer working with a real estate agent who is knowledgeable.
This is because they are about to make one of the biggest decisions of their
life. Customers are also about to commit a lot of money.
2.High Integrity and Trust levels.
Honesty
remains one of the best skills to have as a real estate agent. Customers also
expect you to show you can be trusted and honest. Thus, real estate customers
rely on referrals from friends and family. Being dishonest, unethical and
immoral can tarnish a career fast, and for good.
If
you have a bad reputation, no real estate buyer will work with you. Reputation
matters a lot in real estate. You need to maintain a good client base who can
provide evidence of recent successful deals.
3.Technological skills
Technology
advances every day. Therefore, you need to leverage technology to your
advantage by being technological savvy.
As
a real estate agent, you need to understand how to use social media to sell
real estate. From posting to WhatsApp groups and Facebook or showcasing your
real estate on Instagram. You can take things to the next level by having a
website.
How
to use Google Maps to sell more as a real estate Agent
If
you do not have a website, then you do not need to worry. Various listing
websites are available with some being available for free.
4.Resilience
Real
estate is a tough field. On average, most real estate agents complete a few
sales within the year. If you are not resilient, you will not manage to stay
long in the field. As an agent, following up on leads requires constant calling
and checking on your leads before they convert. Following up on every lead is
crucial in achieving success in real estate.
You
will need to have a way to keep track of leads. Having a notebook is a
good starting place. Else, invest in an automated system.
Successful
real estate agents do not wait for clients to call them. They keep a check on
all appointments, meetings and showings themselves. They are also flexible and
will adjust their schedule if the client requests.
5.Passion
To
succeed in anything, you need to have passion. Real estate is no exception.
For
real estate agents, passion involves enjoying speaking and taking clients to
site visits. You also need passion to help people. This is because you will
need to support clients make decisions that are best for them.
6.Teamwork and networking
In
real estate, your network is your net worth. If you work alone, you will find
customers hard to come by. Referrals remain the way most agents find business.
If you do not have a large network, then you will sell less and be unable to
find success. Teamwork involves you also providing other real estate agents
with referrals and leads.
Networking
Tips for Real Estate Agents in Kenya.
For
any career, building your network and reputation is important for success. If
you're a local agent serving a small market, getting involved with the
community can be a great way to build your brand. By engaging with the
community, you can become the 'go-to estate agents in the area.
7.Negotiation skills
Most
buyers start their real estate journey online. With a lot of information being
available online, buyers have more information than before. With a more
knowledgeable client, negotiation skills are becoming important for real estate
agents.
The
crucial lesson to remember about negotiating is that your goal is not to win, but to get a deal done. To do that, you will have to come up with a solution that
will satisfy both the buyer and the seller.
8.communication skills
People
prefer to work with people they get along with and like. Buying and selling
properties is no different. To have a good rapport with real estate buyers, you
then need to have good communication skills.
Good
communication skills help to create a good relationship with customers. It also
helps to enhance your level of professionalism. You need to be available on
most communication channels like email, Skype, WhatsApp, or text messages. You
should also be quick at replying to your client's messages.
You
don't only communicate with the buyer but also the seller during negotiation.
In some cases, you'll need to communicate with your colleagues. Other real
estate agents will give you advice or guidance as you grow in the business.
9.Great marketing skills.
The
real estate market is becoming more competitive. More real estate agents are
joining the industry. To sell land or houses, you need to have great marketing
skills. With the right marketing strategy, you can get more clients and
referrals that will help you grow your business.
Here
is a more detailed article on top 9 strategies to earn more as a real estate
agent.
10.Familiarity with Rules and Regulations
A
real estate agent understands how rules and regulations apply to real estate.
In Kenya, you need to understand the Estate Agents Act, The Land Act, Rent
Restriction Act and tax matters as well. You need to understand how these
affects real estate.
Process
of buying property in Kenya
As
a real estate agent, you must guide your customers in navigating through all
the regulations and not mislead them in any way. Most homeowners are unaware of
real estate laws when they buy or sell a house. They depend on a real estate
agent to guide them through this complicated process.
There
are many skills a real estate agent should have. The above skills are the core
skills that will make a successful real estate agent. The effective
implementation of these skills will help you have a great and rewarding real
estate career. These skills are important whether you're starting out or
already a professional.