For those looking to jump into the world of real estate, you might be drawn to the idea of working as a part-time real estate agent. This is actually a great way to get started and many experts in the industry recommend doing so before making the transition into full-time when the time is right. This will allow you to test the waters and see if this is the right career path without taking major financial risks.
However, some people only stress over the real estate agent test thinking they’ll be on their way to making their first million once they pass. You’ll pass the test if you study, but in order to become successful in real estate, you have to work for it. This is especially true for a part-time real estate agent as it could be difficult to balance your real estate career and your full-time job. So, how do people do it? Keep reading as we let you in on some of their secrets!
Top 4 Secrets to Becoming a Successful Part Time Agent
Secret #1: Don’t Work Alone
Successful agents never work alone. As a part-time real estate agent, you should definitely consider joining a brokerage, becoming a part of a real estate team, or finding a partner or a mentor who is a full-time agent.
While this is not required, it’ll have huge benefits for you – the first of which is the ability to learn. These professionals have insider knowledge of the real estate market. For example, they know when is the best time to buy or sell, where the best places are to buy or sell, and what will increase your chances of closing a deal. Working with others in the field will sharpen your skills and your understanding of the real estate industry, which is what you need to transition into a full-time real estate agent.
Related: How to Become the Best Real Estate Agent in Your Location?
This is also beneficial in providing credibility. To have someone trust you with the largest asset of their life requires more than just you being charismatic and enthusiastic to serve them. A part-time real estate agent may not be as well-known as a full-time agent. Thus, not many people are going to be comfortable working with you simply because they don’t trust you’ll meet their needs. The best way to eliminate this objection is by working with someone committed who’ll be there for clients when you can’t be.
Lastly, working with others can take pressure off your schedule and gives you time to balance and handle the responsibilities of both your real estate agent career and your primary job.
Secret #2: Build Your Network
Your network will play a major part in your success as a part-time real estate agent. Like we said, successful agents don’t work alone and the real estate industry is built on relationships. Some call this secret working on your “sphere of influence” or “book of business.” Essentially, it means to approach people who know you, like you and trust you about your real estate agent career. So, share your message with people who already know you and your network will grow.
In addition, becoming a real estate agent requires working with different types of people. This includes buyers, sellers, investors, wholesalers, appraisers, loan officers, mortgage brokers, title companies, and others. To be a great part-time real estate agent, you need to understand that every person you have contact with is an opportunity to share what you do. Once you’ve built a strong network, there won’t be a shortage of contacts you can do business with.
Here comes another benefit of joining a team or a brokerage – to expand your network and sphere of influence! Other ways to spread the word about your real estate agent career include attending real estate seminars, auctions and, of course, marketing your business.
Secret #3: Focus on Lead Generation
It’s important for a part-time real estate agent to stay focused on lead generation. After all, success in the real estate industry is about scoring the best deals. So, another real estate agent secret is to generate leads and follow up every day. How much time you devote depends on your schedule but, according to Fit Small Business, you should aim for at least 20 hours per week. Don’t just rely on referrals! Make sure you set about two hours a day for marketing your real estate business to generate leads, plus a few hours on the weekends and evenings to show homes to potential buyers.
Related: Generate Leads: Tips for Any Starting Real Estate Agent
Moreover, you must understand that not all real estate leads are created equally – some will turn into sales while others won’t. Therefore, you’re going to have to work very hard to generate qualified leads. Alternatively, you can simply buy real estate leads from companies which provide lead generation programs and services. Where can you, a part-time real estate agent, find a lead generation program? Right here at Mashvisor!
Mashvisor works with real estate investors who are serious about buying a property to invest in. Our lead generation program then qualifies these leads and connects them with a real estate agent in their city of choice. So, when you sign up with Mashvisor as an agent, we’ll provide you with a certain amount of qualified leads (depending on the plan you choose to follow). As a result, you’ll have a steady source of qualified leads and better chances of closing deals.
For more information on our program and how it’ll help you as a part-time real estate agent, click here!
Secret #4: Market Your Business
You want to succeed as a part-time real estate agent, not as a “some-time” agent. This is why you need to put efficient time and energy into marketing your real estate business. When done right, you’re marketing efforts will help you generate more leads and find more people to add to your contacts and real estate network. Moreover, the right marketing strategies will help maximize your return, save you time, stay in touch with past clients, and monitor current ones.
There are plenty of ways for you to market yourself including postcards, flyers, mailer, and business cards. However, to become a successful part-time real estate agent, you need to compete with top agents using creative and advanced marketing strategies. For example, hot real estate agents today use social media platforms, video marketing, 3D virtual tours, and others to market their business and get leads.
Related: Real Estate Marketing Tips for Agents: Old-Fashioned to Online
The Bottom Line
Succeeding as a part-time real estate agent can be a challenge, but you can do it if you have the responsibility to be professional and competent. This is a career just like any other and experience is key. So, be ready to put in long hours to be available for your clients, perfect your time management skills, and take notes of the tips we offered in this blog post.
Work with Mashvisor to receive qualified leads and close more deals! To learn more about our lead generation program, schedule a demo.