What is the single most important quality/skill for success in real estate sales?
465905
Integrity -- be a person of your word.  Do what you say you will do when you say it.
167192
You have to be motivated to be in any kind of sales--it is hard and competitive.  If you have a good attitude, know your job, and learn the tricks to closing sales, you can make a lot of money in any kind of sales (even selling encyclopedias), but especially in Real Estate.\n\nI recommend getting your license and trying it part time first unless you absolutely hate your current career.
1032993
Take the broad look at psychology.  Human factors engineering can improve efficiency but that is rather obscure for most psychologists.  Training in body language would be great for sales people.  Motivations -- rewards and punishments -- would be a good topic.
819775
Self discipline and a strong work ethic, even in the face of no immediate results.\n\nThe great lie of self-employment in general and real estate (sales and financing) in particular is that big money is to be had with very little effort - that it's all golf courses and Mercedes Benzes.  \n\nNothing could be further from the truth.  In many marketplaces, real estate agents are overpopulated for the market - number of realtors way outstrips the average number of transactions.\n\nThis means you have to work constantly, hard, every day, to distinguish yourself from the huge pack of agents who don't put in a full day's work every day.  \n\nThe public's perception of realtors is that they're lazy, they don't know what they're talking about, and they're WAY overpaid for the service they actually deliver.  And you know what?  In MOST cases, the public's perception is ENTIRELY justified!  \n\nThat being said, the minority of agents who work hard, produce in both boom and bust markets, and continually rise to the top REALLY DO DESERVE what they get because they get up early, work hard, don't goof around, and generally approach it like the difficult job it really is.\n\nWhy do I have this opinion?  I was in real estate financing for over 10 years, did everything from processing to origination to management to business development to executive management.  I worked as an in-house lender (the mortgage guy inside the local real estate office) and saw the way that realtors work day-to-day.\n\nBest to you.  Work hard, work smart, put in a full day's work and you'll succeed.
6683
Every successful business person is a salesperson.  The skills are essential.  But very few colleges and universities have any classes for general sales ability.  I think this probably makes it a "less acceptable" career path in many people's opinions.  \n\nSales is the fundamental currency of business skill.
483208
Real Estate is the best business. Anything that is limited in this world is a great business opportunity.
29372
"Be Wise And Advertise". \nVisit local real estate offices and meet with the agents and their manager. Ask them for business, and when they call you follow up with them the status of their request. It's all about service and delivering a great results. This will grow your business fast. Also go to trade shows in your area, pass out your business card with additional information.
101149
Depends highly on the industry.\n\nIf you are talking sales - attitude is probably 90% of it, training is easy. If you are talking computer programmer, skills are 90%, attitude is the rest.\n\nWithout more information, it is a hard call.
544388
Steps towards a successful real estate career \nSpeak with Brokerages in the area where you would like to practice to find out about employment requirements and opportunities.\n\nComplete the "Introduction to a Career in Real Estate" course provided at the Calgary Real Estate Board and pass the exam (refer to our Education Courses section). \n\nEnroll in the Alberta Real Estate Association’s Real Estate Agents Program provided at the Calgary Real Estate Board. (refer to our Education Courses section)\n\nQualify to write the licensing exam by attending a minimum of 90% of the classroom sessions.\n\nWrite and pass the qualifying exam.\n\nAttend the CREB® Orientation to become a member of the Calgary Real Estate Board (refer to our Education Courses section). \n\nLicense - Register with a Real Estate Brokerage first, then obtain your license from the Real Estate Council of Alberta.\n\nPractice your new career, and don’t forget to take your 18 hours of mandatory continuing education every two years to maintain your license.\n\nTo start the process of becoming a Realtor®, find out how you can register for the Real Estate Agents' Program in our Education Courses section
137844
Sunny is correct in telling you that you need only get your RE license to start selling.  However, what Sunny failed to mention is that these companies (at least the successful ones) will want you to have at least bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Accounting or Economics.  Most of them will want you to have your real estate brokers’ license as well.\nAlso, please don’t be fooled by Sunny’s flippant comments about just taking the classes and getting started.  I’m not saying you can’t do well at it, I’m saying it takes a lot of VERY HARD WORK to make your self successful at it.  I know several commercial brokers, and a few successful ones, and the ones that are successful don’t half ass it, they work 60-70 hrs a week.  The payoff for these few is Huge, I’m talking high six and sometimes seven figure incomes but you have to want it, and you have to work for it!\nI hope I have given you a little bit better insight into the world of commercial real estate.  \nI truly wish you the best!
654761
Here is one URL for you to look at: http://www.free-resume-tips.com/resumetips/realestate.html\n\nhttp://www.resumesforall.com/resume-writing-2/free-sample-resumes-for-real-estate-agents.html\n\n\nI hope you can get some idea from the above two URLs.
428438
Let me assure you that NOT all REALTORS state they are number 1- Ask the various agents you interview, for a print out (probably from the local multiple listing service) of their sales and their agencies sales of the last several months - year, within your price range.  Ask for a marketing plan, where your home will be advertised, etc. - and if someone from their company will actually be there to show your home, rather than accessing via a lock box, with a sign-up sheet and stack of brochures.
778531
Sales - it's the only profession where you make exactly what you want depending on how hard you're willing to work and takes no formal training. It may not be glamorous and you have to be money motivated first and foremost, but there's nothing between you and money but your own reluctance to hustle.
821893
A passion for business is exactly what's necessary to succeed in sales! Seriously, have you ever thought of selling home improvement products? You do handyman work so you already have a good concept of the principles.\n\nThere's a range of possibilities you might get excited to present: windows & doors, gutters, landscaping, pools, etc. And nearly every one of these companies will want a guy who is "mature" but willing to learn and is driven. \n\nAre you driven? Are you okay with doing follow up, working all kinds of hours, and beating out the competition? \n\nSounds like you'd be a good fit. Really, try sales. Get yourself a small base salary plus commission job. Men can be in sales til they're 70. People see you as experienced and knowledgeble.\nBe glad you're a man.:)\n\nTake care!
66968
Great question, I believe it boils down to experience and results.\n\nMixed in is ethics and looking out for the clients best interest.\n\nI also beleive agents/Brokers are broken down to two camps. One at listing and one at representing buyers.\n\nIf your listing your property, you want an agent that is able and experienced enough to obtain the highest value in the open market.\n\nYou want an agent to be honest with you and tell you the truth vs some fantasy.\n\nWhat are the agents marketing skills?, do they use the internet?, do they have a digital camera? Look at ther personal website.\n\nAsk for a copy of actual sales on an annual basis. More the better.\n\nA good agent will sell 3-4 a month vs 6 in a year.\n\nAs a buyer's agent, similiar questions. How many buyers did you represent in the past year?\n\nPlease supply references and call the reference's of what they liked or disliked.\n\nInterview mutiple agents/brokers.\n\nIn addition the longer tenure in the business. What professional designation has the agent obtained? CRS is good.\n\nLook at http://www.Realtor.com http://www.Yahoo.com under real estate and in Yahoo look at the agents presence. This will speaks volumes.\n\nI'm not impressed by companies but by the individal experience of the agent.\n\nThey say 95% of real estate is sold by 5% of agents.
701253
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Your First Year in Real Estate: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional by Dirk Zeller\n* 21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me: Practical Advice for New Real Estate Professionals by Frank Cook\n* Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Real Estate Agent by Marilyn Sullivan\n* Real Estate License Exams For Dummies by John A. PhD, DREI Yoegel\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
311152
There is a terrific resource called "score" which has a local office. They can guide you. Their staff is mostly volunteer, and they are retired folks who assist people with aspirations like yours, perhaps even aligning you with a previous restaurant owner. Contact me if you need a real estate agent!