Becoming a real estate agent is a career path that is coveted by many. To that end, there are certain parts of the world where this career path is even more desired. Areas such as San Diego, California have a major real estate market due to the gorgeous weather and amazing location the city is in.
As a result, many real estate agents try to make a name for themselves in this amazing city. However, building your book as a real estate agent is challenging if you don’t know where to start. By utilizing the local media such as news outlets, any person can help improve the growth of their real estate book.
What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?
There is often a lot of confusion regarding real estate agents and their purpose. Before diving into how the media can help a real estate agent grow their business, it’s important to define what a real estate agent does and how their business works. Real estate agents are licensed professionals who work to bridge the transactions between buyers and sellers of homes or property. There are both residential and commercial real estate agents, who only differ based on the type of property they sell.
A real estate agent earns money on a commission model, that typically is paid out by the seller of the property. While the specific percentage a real estate agent earns varies, five to six percent is a common figure.
Oftentimes, people confuse real estate agents for real estate brokers, but they are not the same. A broker is a real estate agent who has conducted extra training and has years of experience in the field. Brokers hold different licenses than real estate agents and can open brokerage firms in which real estate agents work under them.
Some of the basic qualifications that real estate agents bring to the table include:
- Deep knowledge of the real estate market where a property is located
- Completion of any paperwork related to the sale or purchase of a property
- Facilitating communication between the buyer and seller
- Offering support in the form of knowledge to both sides
How Does a Person Get Their California Real Estate License?
Achieving your California real estate license to begin working in San Diego can seem challenging when you don’t know where to start. Luckily, the process is extremely simple. There are a number of steps required to get a real estate license, with the most important being:
- Meet all qualifications required to be approved for a license
- Complete three required real estate courses that are approved by the state you’re in
- Pass all courses and associated final exams
- Apply for your real estate license and real estate exam
- Receive a date for your real estate exam
- Pass your final real estate exam and receive your license
How Long Does it Take to Get a Real Estate License
Securing a real estate license is a process that can vary in length from person-to-person. While some people can complete the process in just a couple of months, it typically takes a person five to six months to complete the entire application approval process. This varying length is due to the fact that a person needs to complete all of the courses, which can be done at your own pace in most circumstances.
Growing Your Real Estate Business With Media Attention: Tips to Follow
As you begin the process of applying for your real estate license and are starting to look at top California real estate schools, it can be helpful to understand how the media can assist you in growing your business once you secure your license:
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Have press releases for important information announcements
If you have a historic property that you know is going up for sale, having a press announcement can garner a large amount of public attention. Sometimes, the public is just unaware that something is for sale so they don’t respond, but by using a press release through the news you can introduce new opportunities to people.
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Connect with the community in your city
Using the news as an advertising source allows you to connect with the people in your city. By developing close relationships with the citizens around you in San Diego, you can become known in households which will bolster your credibility. Start by getting your face in the news so people can recognize you.
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Reveal real estate specials your brokerage firm is offering
If you are working for a brokerage firm that is offering special deals, it can be a great opportunity to reach out to your broker and ask to announce the news with the media. While showing initiative to your broker, you can also alert the community to whichever special deals are going on in your area.
Tips for Finding Success in the Real Estate Market as an Agent
Being successful as a real estate agent takes more than having drive, especially in a competitive market such as San Diego. Utilize some of the following tips to set yourself apart from the competition:
- Find a mentor in the industry who can help you land your first deal
- Begin networking and growing your book as soon as possible
- Utilize your friends and family to build connections in the community
- Find the properties that are unique, but don’t be afraid to start small
Set yourself apart in the real estate industry
Real estate may not be the right industry for everybody based on the entrepreneurial spirit real estate agents need to succeed in the field. As a real estate agent, you need to be willing to face a large amount of rejection to achieve success, but your first win will make all the struggles worth it. Take steps to grow your business by setting yourself apart from the competition and using all available sources, such as the San Diego media, to get your name out to the public.
