%20copy.png)
5 Traits New Agent Needs To Survive And Succeed In The First Year
- Vivian Chong
- Apr 8
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Some real estate agents make it in their first year, while others are still figuring things out.
If you are early in your real estate journey, you probably feel this more than anyone. You see others closing deals, getting listings, and moving forward. At the same time, you may find yourself wondering quietly, “Am I doing something wrong?” or “Why does it feel like I’m not moving?”
From my experience of mentoring new agents over the years, I’ve noticed one consistent pattern among those who make it through their first year
Most agents don’t struggle because they don't have the ability. They struggle because of small patterns in their behaviour. Patterns that seems normal but over time, quietly hold them back.
These are the 5 traits I keep seeing. The first 4 are behaviours you can observe. The last one is what drives everything.
As you read this, don’t just agree with the points. Pause and ask yourself honestly,
Is this me right now?
1. Ownership
One of the most common patterns I see is waiting.
Waiting to be told what to do next. Waiting for leads. Waiting to feel ready before taking action.
It sounds reasonable, especially when you are new. You may tell yourself that you need to prepare more, learn more, or observe a bit longer before stepping out. But while you are waiting, nothing is actually moving.
Weeks can pass, and without realising it, you still feel like you haven’t really started.
Ask yourself, is this you?
On the other hand, the agents who grow take a different approach.
They take responsibility for their own progress. They attend trainings without being told, they try things even before they feel fully ready, and they figure things out along the way and seek clarity if they are not sure.
One of my teammates, let’s call her G, is a good example of this.
From the start, she took full ownership of her career.
She didn’t wait to be told what to do. She showed up for trainings consistently, made the effort to get to know other agents, learned from their experiences, and did her own research after every encounter.
When she was unsure, she asked.
When she didn’t know something, she went to find out.
Because of that, her learning curve was much faster. In a short period of time, she built up a strong understanding of the industry and started closing her first few deals.
What stood out was not that she knew more from the beginning. It was that she chose not to get stuck.
If you are always waiting to be guided, you will always feel like you are not ready. And that feeling can last far longer than you expect.
2. Discipline
Most agents know what they need to do. Prospecting, following up, reaching out, and staying visible are not secrets in this industry.
But knowing is not the problem. Doing is.
Many agents hesitate when it comes to taking action. They worry about disturbing others, they feel awkward reaching out, or they tell themselves they will start when they are more prepared.
The delay feels small at first, but it adds up quickly. Tomorrow becomes next week, and next week becomes a pattern of not really starting.
Ask yourself, is this you?
The agents who succeed do not wait until it feels comfortable. They reach out even when it feels awkward and follow up even when there is no reply.
Progress in this business often comes from doing the things you don’t feel like doing.
3. Consistency
Another trait is being consistent.
Many agents begin with energy and intention. They attend trainings, go for prospecting activities, post actively on social media.
But when results are slow, things start to change. Clients don’t reply, viewings don’t convert, and uncertainty creeps in.
When clients ghost them, they start thinking, “Maybe this don't work.”
When they can't get leads, they show up less for hyping sessions.
The doubts get louder, and they question: Am I suited for this industry?
They start to pull back, skipping activities they were once excited about when they first started. They tell themselves they will try again later. It feels justified, but their progress quietly slips.
Ask yourself, is this you?
The agents who make it push through this phase. They continue showing up even when results are not immediate.
Success in real estate is not about doing something once, but about repeating the same actions long enough for results to catch up.
4. Resilience
Rejection, ghosting, and even having your number blocked are part of the process. Every agent goes through it.
After a few rejections, it is natural to start pulling back. You hesitate more, overthink your messages, or delay reaching out again.
You start to take it personally. You wonder if you’re not good enough, or if this industry just isn’t for you.
So instead of pushing forward, you hold back. You avoid sending that next message. You skip that next follow-up.
Not because you don’t know what to do, but because you don’t want to feel that rejection again.
Ask yourself, is this you?
The agents who move forward break this cycle. They do not avoid rejection. They expect it. They understand that not every seller is ready and not every buyer will respond.
Instead of taking it personally, they keep going.
Over time, this resilience makes a bigger difference than skill.
Being ghosted is not a sign to stop. It’s a sign that you are doing the work
5. Self Awareness
Now that I've talked about the 4 behaviours, there’s something deeper that holds everything together.
And that is why you are here.
It’s completely normal not to have it all figured out at the start. Many agents come in knowing they want something different, but haven’t fully put it into words yet.
And that’s okay. What matters is that you don’t stay in that uncertainty for too long.
I often hear reasons like, “I want to earn more” or “I want flexible hours.” These are good starting points, but they won’t carry you through the hard days.
And those days WILL come.
When clients ghost you. When months pass without a deal. When your bank account starts running low. In those moments, what keeps you going?
If you don’t have a clear answer, you will start to drift. You show up, but without direction. You do the work, but without meaning.
Ask yourself honestly, is this you?
The agents who stay the course take time to reflect. They ask themselves hard questions and sit with the answers. They don’t rush it, but they don’t avoid it either.
For some, it’s financial security for their family. For others, it’s proving something to themselves, or building a life with more control and purpose.
It doesn’t matter what your reason is, as long as it is real and truly yours.
Because your “why” is what holds everything together. Without it, it becomes very hard to keep going when things don’t work.
Give yourself permission to not have it all figured out at the start. But don’t stop asking the question.
Why am I really here?
The clearer you are on this, the easier everything else becomes.
Conclusion
I have seen many agents come and go, and the difference is rarely about talent. It comes down to behaviour, specifically the small decisions you make every day.
But here’s what most people don’t realise.
These behaviours don’t feel like mistakes when you’re doing them. They feel normal, reasonable, and even justified. That is why they are so easy to miss, and also why many agents stay stuck longer than they should.
If you are a new agent feeling stuck, it may be helpful to shift the question.
Instead of asking, “Why is this not working?” ask yourself, “Which of these patterns am I stuck in right now?”
Because once you see it clearly, you can begin to change it.
And that is when things start to move.
If you’re reading this and realising you might be stuck in one of these patterns, don’t navigate it alone. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh perspective to see the path forward.
Whether it’s a specific challenge or just a general sense of being lost, let's have a chat to see if I can help you find your footing again!
Related Readings
About The Author
Vivian has been a real estate agent since 2002.
Over two decades, she has handled a wide range of transactions across HDB and private properties, building deep expertise in the policies and regulations around residential sales and purchases.
She is no stranger to complexity. From contra deals and decoupling to divorce settlements, probate and administration cases, and part-share purchases, she has guided clients through some of the most intricate situations a property transaction can involve.
But Vivian is more than her track record.
She is a proud mum to two young men who share a deep love for football, playing at school and national level. Real estate gave her the flexibility to be present as they grew up, and she rarely missed a game. That balance between a fulfilling career and an involved family life is something she lives and believes in deeply.
And it is precisely because of that journey that she now wants to give back.
Vivian is passionate about mentoring fellow agents, especially women who are building their careers while holding everything else together. Because only someone who has walked that journey truly understands what it takes.
It is my vision to see women achieving their dreams, and live with purpose and passion through a successful real estate career.
Today, Vivian is an active salesperson and team leader who brings the same commitment to her clients and her teammates.
Reach out to her for your property needs, or if you are ready to start your real estate journey.
