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Real Estate Sales Agents

O*NET files this work under Real Estate Sales Agents: people who rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Its interest code is ECS. Enterprising leads at 6.5 out of 7, so expect leading, persuading and making business decisions, with Conventional next at 4.9. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to speaking, active listening, and negotiation as the ones to build. You may also need to present purchase offers to sellers for consideration. Expect to act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other. It tends to suit people who want leading, persuading and making business decisions, and it offers little for anyone seeking research, analysis and working through hard problems.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
  • Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
  • 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.
  • Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
  • Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
  • Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Negotiation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Service Orientation
  • Persuasion

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You want to spend most of your time analyzing and researching. Investigative rates 1.5 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECS takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Real Estate Agent
  • Real Estate Salesperson
  • Realtor
  • Realtor Associate

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.