{"id":79552,"date":"2020-08-27T15:05:55","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T21:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/renewsblog\/?p=79552"},"modified":"2023-03-21T02:13:55","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T08:13:55","slug":"rockstar-real-estate-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/rockstar-real-estate-agent","title":{"rendered":"How to Be a Rockstar Real Estate Agent: 9 Tips for Standout Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n      <iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm?e=BIGPOC2891407099&#038;light=false\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe>  \n\n\n\n\n<p>There is this misconception that selling real estate is easy\u2014that being a rockstar real estate agent means you get your license, print up some business cards, and&nbsp;<em>poof!<\/em>&nbsp;You\u2019re making the big bucks instantly. All you have to do is list properties, sit back, and rake in the cash. Easy, right? Except when real life gets in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New real estate agents seem to come in two different camps. Either they&#8217;re overconfident, certain they&#8217;ll be making six figures in their first year, or they&#8217;re nervous wrecks, positive no leads will ever come. Neither are true\u2014because the real secret is simple. If you want to be an agent, be prepared to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Looking for a real estate agent? Check out <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/agent\/match\" target=\"_blank\"><em>BiggerPockets&#8217;s agent match<\/em><\/a><em>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/guides\/becoming-real-estate-agent\" target=\"_blank\">getting your real estate license<\/a> isn&#8217;t all that hard. That simply means that just about anyone can do it. But getting a license doesn&#8217;t automatically make you a successful real estate agent\u2014or make any money. So, how do you achieve that coveted rockstar status? Here are several real estate agent tips\u2014plus some suggestions from a client\u2014to boost your real estate career into the stratosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"706\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/How-to-Become-a-real-estate-agent.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128679\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/How-to-Become-a-real-estate-agent.jpg 706w, https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/How-to-Become-a-real-estate-agent-300x53.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/How-to-Become-a-real-estate-agent-702x125.jpg 702w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"guide-description\"><em>While a real estate license isn&#8217;t a necessity for all investors, some find it an essential part of their investment strategy. But getting your license can be a long process, involving coursework, exams, and background checks\u2014and, of course, you&#8217;ll need to find a broker. Learn more about what separates average agents from the great and get all the details on acquiring your license with our in-depth guide: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/guides\/becoming-real-estate-agent?itm_source=ibl&amp;itm_medium=blogad&amp;itm_campaign=guide\" target=\"_blank\">How to Become a Real Estate Agent\u2014An Investor&#8217;s Guide<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Answer the Phone (or Risk Missing Real Estate Leads)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m licensed in Colorado. I\u2019m an investor, and I\u2019ve been buying houses since before dirt was invented. I\u2019ve made my share of phone calls to real estate agents&#8230; yet every single time, my call goes directly to voicemail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, there are times when you cannot answer your phone. I get that, and have no issue leaving a message if you\u2019re actually busy. But almost without fail, I get an&nbsp;<em>immediate<\/em>&nbsp;call back\u2014and about 99 percent of the time, the agent hasn&#8217;t listened to my voicemail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rockstar real estate agents answer their phone. Having a quick-response records means past clients will refer you to your friends, who can become new clients\u2014and those referrals are the lifeblood of successful agenting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Return Emails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the not-answering-the-phone thing is so prevalent, I have since turned to email. I wake up super early, and don\u2019t want to wake anyone&nbsp;<em>else<\/em>&nbsp;up. Each morning, I sit down and email while I\u2019m drinking my coffee. I hit send, then crickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing. No response\u2014hardly ever. Just as often as not, my email goes ignored. What if I were a potential home buyer? Those agents just lost a lead, especially since so many of today&#8217;s buyers and sellers want to do business with digital natives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My ignored email prompts a phone call, voicemail, and (surprise, surprise) immediate callback, where the email recipient professes that they never received the note. Sigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Set up an agent-specific email address\u2014nothing looks less professional than gobroncos1124@aol.com\u2014and review your inbox every day. Respond to everything every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Create a Killer Business Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo be a rockstar agent, you need a strong business and marketing plan. Don\u2019t be afraid to think outside the box and proactively promote yourself through networking, social media, and target marketing,\u201d says Chris Dickson, a real estate manager with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, The Preferred Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Great advice, Chris. I\u2019ll add: While every property is different, there are a lot of similarities. There\u2019s no need to reinvent the wheel with every new listing. Come up with a killer marketing plan. It should include social media and more traditional methods, like newspaper, direct mail, and open houses. Not everyone is online, and you want to contact as many people as possible\u2014especially if your competition only targets the online market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Have an Online Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This comes hand-in-hand with your killer marketing plan. Says John R. Lyons from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/johnlyonsrealestate.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">John Lyons Real Estate<\/a>, &#8220;Master social media and leverage your videos on all social platforms. The more exposure and good content you produce will elevate the market&#8217;s perception on your business.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ryan Fitzgerald of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/raleighrealtyhomes\" target=\"_blank\">Raleigh Realty<\/a>&nbsp;credits his \u201c\u2026commitment to technology and online marketing strategies\u201d to his success. \u201cWhile other companies are wasting time with paper ads and TV commercials, I\u2019m on every Facebook newsfeed between the hours of six and nine p.m., when people are most likely to search homes for sale. We use Facebook ads to capture traffic and retarget that captured traffic with branding through retargeting pixels so they are constantly seeing my brand.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He continues, \u201cToday we are doing nearly five new leads a day from our website, with 20 percent growth in traffic nearly every month! If you want to become a superstar real estate agent, you\u2019ll need to have an incredible work ethic and master a lead generation strategy that works for you! For me, that was online marketing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay attention to Google, too. Write SEO-relevant blog posts and update your Google search listing to stay top of mind for local searchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n    \n  <div id=\"visibility-group-block_f7c569e454bea56273c8f8080144944b\" class=\"visibility-group alignwide  hidden\">\n        \n\n<div id=\"hero-block_89c0e1a07f0b41f4a3ede906b42c9d86\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4  alignwide   has-background has-slate-200-background-color has-text-color has-theme-gold-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\"gap-10 lg:gap-20 flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 lg:w-1\/2 \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<p class=\"has-slate-800-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">Find the Right Agent, Close the Best Deal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-slate-900-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:18px\">Step #1: Use Agent Finder to match with top <em><strong>investor-friendly<\/strong><\/em> real estate agents to help you find, analyze, and close your next deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_9294b84413ff233eed98c3841014137c class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/agent\/match\" x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track(&#039;Blog Block | B2C Marketplace Agent Finder&#039;, {\n      referrer: &#039;https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/rockstar-real-estate-agent&#039;,\n    });\" class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-blue-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Find an Agent<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"lg:w-1\/2 first:mt-0 relative h-full lg:flex lg:items-center\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover w-full relative z-20 my-0  rounded-md hidden lg:block\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Marketplace-Blog-Blocks-Agent-v3.png\" alt=\"investor friendly real estate agent\" title=\"\">\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n    \n  <div id=\"visibility-group-block_64dd31c79f00f\" class=\"visibility-group  \">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"hero-block_64dd2875dba9d\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4    has-background has-slate-100-background-color has-text-color has-theme-slate-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\" flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 w-full \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading my-0 tracking-tight font-extrabold has-theme-slate-dark-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Join the community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-theme-slate-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">Ready to succeed in real estate investing? Create a free BiggerPockets account to learn about investment strategies; ask questions and get answers from our community of +2 million members; connect with investor-friendly agents; and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_64dd2888dba9e class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/signup\" x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track(&#039;Blog Block | Acquisition | Free Membership Signup&#039;, {\n      referrer: &#039;https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/rockstar-real-estate-agent&#039;,\n    });\" class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-blue-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Sign Up<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Listen to Your Clients\u2019 Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy most important advice would be to listen to your clients\u2019 needs and work toward helping them achieve those goals. Too many agents are more concerned about their own financial gain or success. They don\u2019t take the time to listen to their clients with the understanding that helping them meet their goals with compassion, honesty, and ethics\u2014and coming from a place of educating them\u2014will result in the success you\u2019re searching for,\u201d recommends Peter Boscas, Broker and Principal Owner of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/redcedarmaryland.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Red Cedar Real Estate<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Build Your Client Relationships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Christopher Leavitt of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.elliman.com\/real-estate-agent\/christopher-leavitt\/12632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Douglas Elliman Real Estate<\/a>&nbsp;says his focus on client relationships makes him a superstar real estate broker. Even with his packed schedule, he always takes the time needed to talk to his clients. One of the ways he does this is by never rushing his clients when he\u2019s with them. He also takes every opportunity to learn. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a $5 million or $50 million home\u2014Chris never shortcuts the time his prospects need with him. Chris checks in with his clients on a regular basis and believes in the philosophy of once a client, always a client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Know Your Local Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ben Bacal of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.benbacal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rodeo Realty<\/a>&nbsp;states, \u201cYou need to be knowledgeable about the areas you work in. You need to know everything about the areas you focus on, and when you talk about prices and deals and investment opportunities, be articulate and confident in your answers. Don\u2019t focus on dozens of neighborhoods. Conquer one, two, then move on to the next. It takes years, not months to build an empire. Have patience and stamina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collin Bray of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/collinbray.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Century 21 Cityside<\/a>&nbsp;completely agrees. He suggests, &#8220;Preview property. Knowledge is power. Know your specific marketplace. Who are the other top agents, developers, and buildings with amenities? What new restaurants are coming to the area? Public transportation and school systems?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing your market isn\u2019t just knowing the housing market. You must understand the entire real estate industry, including everything that affects the housing market, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Establish an Amazing Work Ethic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you want to become a superstar agent, you have to work harder than any other agent. If you\u2019re not dreaming about the deals and clients you work for, whether it\u2019s a nightmare or fantasy, you\u2019re not working hard enough,\u201d says Bacal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bray agrees, adding, \u201cA superstar is defined as a high-profile and extremely successful performer or athlete. Perfect! How does an athlete become a professional?&nbsp;<em>Y<\/em><em>ears<\/em>&nbsp;of practice and discipline. That is why so few agents are successful; it\u2019s why becoming a professional athlete is so difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Treat Your Business Like a Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re a real business, which means you have to promote yourself and your brand, your name, your expertise, and success and accolades everyday, and when you stop doing that, business will stop. You have to spend money to make money, like any other business. If you want to be an agent by referrals only, then you don\u2019t have a real thriving day-to-day business full of escrows and deals in motion,\u201d recommends Bacal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This one is actually the most important\u2014and the least followed. Many new agents don&#8217;t understand that being a real estate agent isn&#8217;t like having your own business. It&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;having your own business: a real estate business. You are a business owner. (Congratulations!) Yes, you hang your license under your employing broker. Perhaps you even have quotas you need to meet in order to stay at that agency. They might even provide you with leads. But it is your business, and you are 100 percent responsible for your success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on it part-time, and you\u2019ll get part-time results. Work on it full-time, and treat it as the business it is, to realize the best and most profitable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/choosing-real-estate-brokerage?itm_source=ibl&amp;itm_medium=related&amp;itm_campaign=opt\" target=\"_blank\">Newbie Agent 101: How to Choose a Real Estate Brokerage<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonus: 10 Quick Tips From a Client<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>But what are your clients looking for? Jordan Wirsz, CEO of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.savantinvestments.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Savant Investment Partners<\/a>, shares what he\u2019s looking for in an agent. His main points of advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don\u2019t pre-judge your clients or potential clients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spend time with them in person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Even if you are a kick-butt agent with lots going on, never get the \u201centitled\u201d and \u201carrogant\u201d attitude that you have all the good deals\u2014and that if an investor wants good deals, they need to kiss up to YOU.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t \u201csell\u201d them on deals. You might think that your job is sales, but it isn\u2019t. Your job is to be trustworthy, smart, and transparent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always, always, always communicate promptly and extremely well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do more than \u201cyour job.\u201d Go the extra mile. Help find and coordinate contractors, do your best to find ones that do good work at fair prices, and show the investor that even though your commission is earned, you are their \u201cpartner\u201d and looking after them just as you would yourself. This is called integrity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Until you become an investor (if you aren\u2019t one already), you\u2019ll never really understand how difficult it is to make a good return on your money. There is an old adage, \u201cLook after the pennies, and the dollars will look out for themselves.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t show preferential treatment to yourself or any other investor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show gratitude for the business and the relationship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Know that not every \u201cbig investor\u201d relationship is a match made in heaven. Over time, you will get to know that investor, develop a relationship with him or her, and sometimes, unfortunately, you will find out that their expectations and treatment of you is not the right fit for you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Any agent can list a property on the MLS. Any agent can write up an offer. But being just &#8220;any&#8221; agent isn&#8217;t going to get you the referrals and repeat business that is the difference between a license and a rockstar reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/real-estate-license-invest?itm_source=ibl&amp;itm_medium=related&amp;itm_campaign=opt\" target=\"_blank\">Real Estate Investors: Should You Become a Real Estate Agent?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Are you a rockstar real estate agent? What do you do that sets you apart from your competition?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Let me know with a comment!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some real estate agents rave about their jobs, citing huge client bases and big paydays. Others seem to struggle to stay afloat. So, what sets them apart?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1687,"featured_media":114274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6804,7119],"tags":[7042],"class_list":["post-79552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-selling","category-biggerpockets-daily","tag-seo-optimization"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79552"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79552\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}