Building on Inman’s popular newsletter for first-year agents, The Basics, February is New Agent Month. Pick up the tools, tech and tips needed to survive and thrive in 2025 as a rookie real estate agent.
Pulse is a recurring column where we ask for readers’ takes on varying topics in a weekly survey and report back with our findings.
Remember when you started out as a baby real estate agent? Struggling with contracts and terms, hoping for the phone to ring with a new lead and seeking out mentorship so that you could (finally) get to work after earning your license — it’s a tough time for most new agents.
We asked you to think back to the agent you were then and tell us: What’s one thing you wish you could go back and say to yourself as a new agent? Would you offer hard-won wisdom on business planning? Offer a word of warning about tough times? Tell yourself to either “chill out” or “work harder?” Here’s what you had to say:
- Leave your fear at the door, and get out there and prospect!
- Use a CRM, and keep in regular touch with your clients and sphere.
- Preview properties in areas you want to focus on. Leave your business card! Consistent mail outs work!
- Have another agent to share accountability
- Conversations = Contracts. Real estate is a contact sport. Contact and stay in contact with as many people as possible and be authentic!
- Don’t get discouraged. Building a successful business in a new industry takes time. Always do the right thing for your clients. If you greatly exceed their expectations in every transaction, they will richly reward you with referrals for years to come.
- Get tough skin early.
- Find a mentor/coach with a personality type similar to your own. There is no purpose in getting advice from someone that you will never use because it is completely outside of your personality type. There are clients who want to work with all types, figure out who you are and who that client is.
- Don’t buy leads. There are very few “real” lead sources and lots of companies out there trying to convince you to be their “exclusive” agent.
Editor’s note: These responses were given anonymously and, therefore, are not attributed to anyone specifically. Responses were also edited for grammar and clarity. Inman doesn’t endorse any specific method and regulations may vary from state to state.
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