P.R.E.P.A.R.E. Yourself to Become A Real Estate Agent

You probably did not decide to become a real estate agent yesterday so it is safe to say that your career in real estate will not appear tomorrow - but you will get there! Starting a new career takes preparation, energy, and usually some motivation. Before you even take the exam to get your real estate license, we recommend you review our list of personal action points designed to help you P.R.E.P.A.R.E. for a career in real estate.

P - Plan Ahead

You’ve heard it before, so what does it mean to plan ahead when considering a career in real estate? Give yourself some time to assess your current situation; your current employment (or lack thereof), your financial situation, your support system, your interests, talents and experiences, and your “why.” All these factors will reveal the direction and the speed at which you should proceed. Are you getting your real estate license to have a part-time gig while you work full-time at your current job? Will it be a “slash career” that you work alongside your current career which you plan to build and go into full-time later; maybe after you retire? Or is your plan to go all in, become a REALTORⓇ building your brand and embracing your new career? Regardless of which type of engagement you prefer right now, understanding “why” you are taking this step is important. (Visit One Person/ Multiple Careers Book by Marci Alboher)

R - Reasons Why

Only you can assess the motivations behind your choice to get a real estate license. Simon Sinek, the author of Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team says “Happiness comes from what we do. Fulfillment comes from why we do it.” Take some time to write down some thoughts about your “why”, the pros and cons of being a real estate agent, and what you want or need from this opportunity. Once you have exhausted all of your thoughts onto the paper, reviewed them and you’ve decided to move forward, it’s time to get some education!

E - Educate Yourself

There are many methods available to receive the required education to get your real estate license. First, you should consider what type of learner you are. Do you retain and learn information better when you are able to interact with other people, ask questions, and write your own notes? Do you prefer self-motivated online learning at your own pace? Maybe a blended learning opportunity is best for you? Once you have decided which type of learner you are, start looking for that type of real estate class. A few carefully and creatively worded Internet searches will be helpful. You will likely get a bunch of results, including those not near you, so take some time to look through the results, and make notes on which schools are offering the best type of education experience for you. Reach out to each of the schools, ask questions, and assess your likelihood of success in preparing for the exam with them. Prices for the basic 48 Hour Missouri Real Estate Salesperson Pre-Exam Course vary greatly depending on whether the real estate school offers in-person, online, or blended classes. The purpose of this course is to help you pass the license exam. It covers the nuts and bolts related to foundational knowledge of real estate and all of the related mechanics. It is not intended to teach you the daily activities of an agent or how to manage your business; all of that information comes later. The online classes may be the least expensive, but many students have been known to start online only to discover that an in-person class would’ve been the better option for them and now they have paid out even more money. Choose wisely by considering what is best for you. (In Missouri, check out Redkey Real Estate School.)

P - Personal Habits

How do you decide what habits are best for you? Do you get out paper and pen and jot down your thoughts and feelings? What personal habits do you have or should you consider working on? Personal habits can include daily activities, routines or practices which help you be your best self. They could include taking vitamins or supplements, starting your day with breakfast or in quiet reflection, an aerobic workout, showing gratitude, listening to podcasts, or reading your favorite book. So many opportunities are available for us to grow and nurture ourselves so be sure to evaluate those personal habits which may elevate your knowledge, health, or relationships and clear out those habits that don’t provide positive results.

A - Accentuate the positive

When was the last time you made a list of your many positive traits? Well, it’s about time you did! We sometimes have apprehension about assessing our positive traits and you may even find that it comes much easier to pick out the not-so-positive ones but now is your moment to shine. Get out that paper and pen again and start writing down some of your unique traits… experiences that give you perspective, education and training, your talents and abilities, places you have lived, or languages you speak, are good places to start. Are you good at talking to others or maybe you are a good listener? Do you keep good records, organize everything you touch or manage your time really well? Do you like to read, explore or find solutions? Consider all of these types of experiences as you explore all of the personal traits that will help you build your career in real estate.

R - Relationships

When you think about “contact sports” you may think of football or soccer, but did you think of a real estate agent? You will now! Real estate agents work with people; they get to know their families, how they live in a space, and sometimes hear about their dreams and motivations. Some of these people you may already know. They are sometimes called your Sphere of Influence and should be handled with care. Many of them have known you for a long time and others are more recent contacts, but they will all help you build your career in real estate at some point. Start now, if you haven’t already, to keep in touch with them and expand your circle. Your Sphere of Influence includes family, friends, friends of friends, co-workers, service workers, delivery drivers, neighbors, and all of those other people that you run into throughout the course of the month. Do you send them birthday or holiday cards? When was the last time you met for coffee, lunch, or celebrated together? Did you wave, say hello, or stop to chat? Phone that friend just because you were thinking of them. Share your goals and ask them for their support when the time is right. Always be genuine and show gratitude in your relationships. Making a list of these people is an important step as you prepare for your real estate career.

E - Engage in Your Community

Where is your community? It is where you live, work, play, shop, drive, visit, join, give and participate. Get involved in your community. Check in on your neighbor, shovel their walk, or run a quick errand for them. Join a community group, club, or organization and participate in their activities. Pick up and dispose of trash along your path. Leave a cheery note for the next person in line. Hold the door for someone and say hello with a smile. All of these little actions create ripples in your community that spread out and multiply your effort. Engaging in your community will help you improve your knowledge and give a little bit back in the process.

Once you have taken the real estate license exam you will be moving forward into new territory and may not have as much time to devote to these important activities. Spend some time now to P.R.E.P.A.R.E for your success in real estate!