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Are you a parent searching for a flexible career that allows you to spend time with your children while still earning a significant income?
As a real estate team leader, I received many enquiries from parents asking me if they should join the real estate industry as a property agent so that they will have more time for their children.
Just to share my own experience.
I started as a real estate agent back in 2002 when I first purchased my own home. It was also during then that the idea of becoming a realtor kicked in because I like the flexible hours that come with it.
For the past 2 decades when I was a full time realtor, I was able to spend a lot of time with my children. It was a joy to watch them grow up and at the same time building my real estate career.
It was also during this time when I saw many of my peers became stuck working long hours of a salaried job. A number of them are mothers who have young children. They often feel guilty about not spending enough time with their kids but yet can't do much about it.
If you are also having similar thoughts and wonder if you should come into the property industry, read on to find out more!
Advantages of Being a Real Estate Agent for Parents
Of course! I have to flex what's the benefit of being a real estate agent.
Flexible Schedule
As a parent, finding a job with a flexible schedule is often a top priority.
The real estate agent profession offers the freedom to create your own work hours, enabling you to balance your family commitments effectively. And I think the most exclusive form of pleasure I’ve found is being able to pick my kids to and from school everyday.
Most parents just don’t have that kind of luxury!
Whether it's attending school events, taking care of sick children, or simply spending quality time together, being a real estate agent allows you to adjust your schedule to accommodate these important moments. You have the flexibility to plan your work around your family's needs, ensuring you never miss out on those precious moments.
Unlimited Earning Potential
You have quite often seen news agents making six to seven figure salaries. Is that a long shot? Nope! But it does require a hefty amount of effort.
Financial stability is crucial for parents, and the real estate industry provides an opportunity for unlimited earning potential.
As a real estate agent, your income is primarily based on commission, meaning the more properties you sell or rent, the more money you can earn. This incentivite you to work hard and excel in your role, giving you the motivation to provide for your family's needs and achieve financial goals.
Independence and Autonomy
One of the most enticing aspects of becoming a real estate agent is the independence it offers.
Instead of working under someone else's direction, you become your own boss. You have the freedom to make decisions, set your own business goals, and determine your own success. This level of autonomy allows you to take charge of your career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Networking Opportunities
Being a real estate agent opens doors to a vast network of connections. By interacting with clients, fellow agents, and professionals in related industries, you can expand your social circle and establish valuable relationships.
These connections can not only enhance your professional growth but also lead to referrals and a steady stream of clients. Networking becomes an enjoyable and beneficial part of your work, both personally and professionally.
Skills and Qualities Required
Before you jump in and say: ”Okay, I’m going to become a real estate agent thanks to Vivian.” You may need to consider the skills and qualities needed for the job. Here are some essential attributes to possess:
Excellent Communication Skills
Effective communication is at the heart of being a successful real estate agent. You must be able to build rapport with clients, understand their needs, and effectively communicate property details.
Being an excellent communicator doesn’t mean you have to 100% be extroverted, some of the best agents are also introverts in nature. All you need is to work on your own personal way of communicating with customers.
Additionally, negotiation and persuasion abilities play a significant role in closing deals and ensuring both parties are satisfied. By mastering communication skills, you can provide exceptional service to your clients and establish a strong reputation.
Time Management and Organization
Being a parent already requires excellent time management and organisational skills.
As a real estate agent, these abilities become even more critical. Juggling multiple tasks such as property viewings, client meetings, paperwork, and marketing campaigns necessitates efficient time management and the ability to stay organised.
It can be taxing at times when you aren’t able to properly manage all these at once. An agent needs to be able to learn how to give others the opportunity to support you as well.
By mastering these skills, you can effectively balance your personal and professional responsibilities, ensuring a successful career and a fulfilling family life.
Knowledge of the Real Estate Market
Staying informed and up-to-date with the latest trends, regulations, and market conditions is essential for a real estate agent. Clients rely on your expertise to guide them through the buying, selling, or renting process.
By continuously educating yourself on market dynamics and staying ahead of industry changes, you can provide valuable insights and advice to your clients, making you a trusted resource in their real estate journey.
First Step to Becoming a Property Agent
If this article has inspired you to take action to become a property agent, here’s what you should do.
The first step if you are looking to become a property agent should be signing up for the RES course, take the exam and pass! But I have to warn you, the exam is notorious for being tough and less than 40% of candidates pass within their first try.
In order to increase the odds of passing the exam, having a study group can significantly increase your odds of passing the exam.
Also, you might be interested in this article that we've written: Top 5 RES Exam Questions You Need To Know To PASS The Exam
If you want to find out more about a career in real estate, or you are looking for a real estate mentor to guide you on this journey, let's chat!
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About Vivian Chong
Vivian joined the real estate industry in 2002. Having been in the real estate business for more than 2 decades, she knows the rewards and challenges that a real estate agent face. While the real estate career offers lucrative income and flexible work hours, it also presents many challenges - financial insecurity as we do not have basic pay, time management as we juggle work, children and family all at one time. Only those who have walked the same journey will understand. Vivian would now like to pay it forward by mentoring fellow agents, especially women who want to build a real estate career.
It is her vision to see women achieving their dreams, and live their lives with purpose and passion through a successful real estate career.
Connect with Vivian at 98577714 to embark on this journey.
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