Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Real Estate Agent
- Realtor
- Realtor Associate
- Sales Agent
Alternate Job Titles
- Agricultural Real Estate Agent
- Apartment Leasing Agent
- Apartment Leasing Consultant
- Apartment Rental Agent
- Building Consultant
- Buyers' Agent
- Closing Agent
- Closing Coordinator
- Contracts Specialist
- Home Sales Consultant
- Industrial Real Estate Agent
- Land Agent
- Land Sales Agent
- Leasing Agent
- Leasing Associate
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
- Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
- Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
- Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
- 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.
- Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
- Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Negotiation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Far Vision
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Social Orientation
- Dependability
- Achievement Orientation
- Integrity
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Canva
- Google Docs
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Laptop computers
- Laser printers
- Measuring wheels
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Level of Competition
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,940 |
| Median | $56,320 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $125,140 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 190,600
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Real Estate Brokers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $72,280
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $66,700
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $78,140
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $66,260
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.