2 minutes reading time (391 words)

1st Year Real Estate Agent

firstyear

Your first year as a real estate agent is all about building momentum, learning fast, and laying the foundation for long-term success. Here's a breakdown of what to focus on, common challenges, and tips to thrive:

? Year One Goals

  • Learn the business: Understand contracts, MLS, local market, and legal obligations.
  • Build your network: Family, friends, local business owners — everyone's a potential client or referral.
  • Close your first deals: Even 3–5 transactions in year one can build confidence and income.
  • Create a repeatable system: For lead generation, follow-up, and marketing.
? What to Expect 1. A Steep Learning Curve
  • Mastering paperwork, disclosures, timelines, and negotiation takes time.
  • You'll learn by shadowing others, asking questions, and making a few mistakes.
2. Feast or Famine Cycle
  • Income is inconsistent at first. Expect periods with no closings — followed by multiple in a short time.
  • Save early commissions and stick to a budget.
3. Self-Discipline Required
  • No boss = no one pushing you.
  • You need to set your own hours, create goals, and stay accountable.
? Tips for Success 1. Treat It Like a Business
  • Set work hours, create a business plan, and reinvest in yourself.
  • Track expenses and income from day one.
2. Get a Mentor or Join a Team
  • Working under an experienced agent or team leader provides hands-on learning and shared resources.
  • You'll close deals faster and gain confidence.
3. Build Your Personal Brand
  • Use social media, a simple website, and professional headshots.
  • Create helpful, local content: "Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers" or "3 Things You Need to Know Before You Sell."
4. Learn to Prospect Daily
  • Cold calling, open houses, sphere outreach, door knocking, and online leads — test what works.
  • Aim for daily conversations and track them.
5. Master Your Scripts
  • Know how to answer:
    "Why should I hire you?"
    "How's the market?"
    "What's your commission?"
6. Follow Up Relentlessly
  • Most agents lose business by not following up.
  • Use a CRM and calendar to nurture every lead until they're ready.
? Pitfalls to Avoid
  • Relying only on friends/family for leads.
  • Neglecting lead generation.
  • Overspending on ads or tools too early.
  • Ignoring the paperwork side (missing deadlines, poor compliance).
  • Letting rejection discourage you.
? Set Simple 1st-Year Targets
  • X buyer consultations per month
  • Y listing appointments per quarter
  • Z closings by year-end
  • Grow your contact list to 250+ names
Compass AI is poised to bring agents ‘massive prod...
Opendoor reaches $39M settlement in pricing algori...

Related Posts

 

Comments

Comments are not available for users without an account. Please login first to view these comments.
LikeRE Logo