What My Early Years in Real Estate Marketing Taught Me About People and Business

Nearly six years ago I stumbled into the world of real estate, an industry I knew virtually nothing about. I can still recall the feelings of anxiousness and excitement as I drove to work on my first day at a residential brokerage office. With its high ceilings, large wooden beams and a second floor balcony that overlooked the main foyer and entrance; it was a sight to behold. A truly magnificent space that easily impressed anyone entering it for the first time.

After settling in at my desk, the weekly sales meeting between the Branch Manager and real estate agents began, and I, standing off to the side, observed the interactions between all the attendees. There was a lot to take in on that first day, and in those first few moments, I realized that real estate agents are some of the most fascinating people! They’re small business owners affiliated with a real estate brokerage, however, they operate as independent contractors and are not employees. The office was literally a sea of competing professionals, oftentimes serving the exact markets as those around them. The competition was fierce!

“Building and nurturing relationships lie at the heart of real estate.”

Some of my biggest takeaways from those first few weeks at my new job as a Marketing Coordinator:

• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) - agents do not like to miss out. If they see another agent doing it, they want in on it!

• Real estate is a long-term career - contrary to popular belief, getting into real estate is very rarely a get-rich-quick career move. It requires perseverance and dedication to build a successful career in this industry. 

• Soft skills matter - building and nurturing relationships lie at the heart of real estate. You need to genuinely enjoy being around people, be infinitely curious and have a knack for solving problems.

• Agents “wear many hats” - I heard this phrase being uttered so often that I started using it when showing empathy with agents. Most people believe that real estate agents “make too much money” for “not doing much at all”. But let me tell you, I’ve seen agents paint exteriors and interiors, clean up and empty messy homes, buy cabinet and lighting fixtures, do the landscaping and use personal items from their own home to provide just the right touch when staging.

• Tough but rewarding - Agents know they need to be out meeting clients, prospecting and touring homes, but they also recognize they need to juggle other aspects of their business: their finances, managing open transactions, year-round marketing efforts, and staying on top of the latest laws and regulations.

• Generosity - real estate agents are some of the most generous people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. They are generous with their time, personal stories and struggles, and build trusting partnerships that are meaningful and enduring.

Looking back, my journey into the real estate world has been an adventure filled with surprises and valuable lessons. It’s an industry that requires grit, people skills, and a willingness to go the extra mile. But it’s also an industry that offers incredible rewards and opportunities for personal and professional growth. I feel fortunate to have entered into this world and to have had the privilege of working with the remarkable individuals who make it thrive.