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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.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Coordinate appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
  • Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Negotiation
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Service Orientation

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

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

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