Real Estate Sales Agents

Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties, such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

Median Annual Wage: $40,990

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (32%); Less than high school diploma (29%); Post-secondary certificate (18%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Sales Agent; Real Estate Broker; Associate Broker; Realtor; Broker Associate; Real Estate Agent; Real Estate Broker Associate; Broker in Charge; Real Estate Salesperson

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Real Estate Sales Agents.

More Sales and Related Careers

  • Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
  • Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
  • Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters.
  • Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
  • Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property, advising them on the suitability and value of the homes they are visiting.
  • Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds and leases.
  • Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
  • Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
  • Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
  • Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
  • Arrange for title searches to determine whether clients have clear property titles.
  • Display commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties to clients and explain their features.
  • Contact property owners and advertise services to solicit property sales listings.
  • Review property listings, trade journals, and relevant literature, and attend conventions, seminars, and staff and association meetings to remain knowledgeable about real estate markets.
  • Coordinate appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
  • Answer clients' questions regarding construction work, financing, maintenance, repairs, and appraisals.
  • Advise sellers on how to make homes more appealing to potential buyers.
  • Investigate clients' financial and credit status to determine eligibility for financing.
  • Develop networks of attorneys, mortgage lenders, and contractors to whom clients may be referred.
  • Inspect condition of premises, and arrange for necessary maintenance or notify owners of maintenance needs.
  • Conduct seminars and training sessions for sales agents to improve sales techniques.
  • Evaluate mortgage options to help clients obtain financing at the best prevailing rates and terms.
  • Arrange meetings between buyers and sellers when details of transactions need to be negotiated.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Real Estate Sales Agents.

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Real Estate Sales Agents.

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