Many people think that a career in real estate means a relatively easy life of huge pay days and a lot of time off, but the reality is that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and a very positive attitude to reap the rewards that this industry can offer.<\/p>\n
And the rewards can be significant, not only financial but in many other unexpected ways, says Chris Cilliers, chief executive and co-principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby\u2019s International Realty in the Winelands.<\/p>\n
Below Cilliers takes a close look at what a career in real estate entails and offers guidance and advice to those considering a career in this industry.<\/p>\n
Is real estate the career for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Many people still think that a real estate career is all about earning easy money with loads of free time for leisure pursuits, and that the job involves little more than popping a sale board on the lawn and hosting a show house or two, but this could not be further from the truth.<\/p>\n \u201cA career in real estate can be very rewarding and there certainly is a lot of money to be made in the right market but, although it can be very lucrative, it requires hard work, long and often unsociable hours and more than a dollop of skill and dedication,\u201d said Cilliers.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only does the simplest sale entail months of work from start to finish; it\u2019s a complex process that requires more than a passing knowledge of diverse fields such as marketing, legal processes and finance as well as fluency in legalese.”<\/p>\n Add to this a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in the seller\u2019s area in order to accurately evaluate a property to achieve a realistic sale price in as short a time frame as possible and you begin to get the picture, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd, because these transactions involve many steps, multiple people and organisations and, very often, a strong emotional quotient, simple sales are rarer than one might think.\u201d<\/p>\n Cilliers recommends that prospective agents thinking about a future in real estate should consider also the following points to determine whether they will thrive or wilt in this industry:<\/p>\n Being a property agent is entrepreneurial – <\/strong>Even if you work for an established agency, you have to think of yourself as a business owner because, essentially, you are an independent contractor.<\/p>\n You manage your own sales, tax and so on and have to be smart about it, saving receipts for expenses like travel and advertising.<\/p>\n You have to be a real people person – <\/strong>If you don’t enjoy working with people, then this industry probably isn\u2019t for you because even if you love people, you won\u2019t always have the perfect client.<\/p>\n And, often, even the nicest of clients will be convinced their home is worth more than your professional valuation or have differing opinions about marketing or negotiation.<\/p>\n You also have to build strong networks which involves more than a little socialising; at events, over lunch and power breakfasts.<\/p>\n It\u2019s all about stock<\/strong> \u2013 If you balk at cold calling and getting out there to get stock then you won\u2019t get very far in this business. The more quality listings you have the better you will fare.<\/p>\n Real estate is 100% commission – <\/strong>There is no monthly salary and your earnings are based on your transactions each month.<\/p>\n That said, if you don\u2019t mind the irregular pay cheque, there is no cap on how much you can make. The stronger your business skills, and the harder you work, the more you\u2019ll get out of it.<\/p>\n No set working hours<\/strong> – Having flexible hours has its pros and cons. Yes, you can attend little Susan\u2019s afternoon dance recital, but you will also be late for family dinner when you take buyers to view houses in the evenings or host a Sunday showhouse.<\/p>\n Unless you manage your time carefully, you could end up working a lot more than the standard 40-hour week.<\/p>\n You take a big responsibility onto your shoulders<\/strong> – Your clients are often putting their single largest investment in your hands and if you make a mistake, you could end up costing them a lot of money. There are many loopholes and legalities which can scupper a deal, so you have to be very well-informed and always on your toes.<\/p>\n “However, this is also your opportunity to really shine and there are few things as rewarding as helping a family to find their dream home or an excited entrepreneur the perfect commercial property.”<\/p>\n You must be able to juggle multiple hats<\/strong> \u2013 one minute you are a financial advisor, the next a motivational coach to a nervous seller, and soon after you will be offering moving tips to a first-time seller.<\/p>\n This means that your work is never going to be boring, but it can get stressful as you will often be required to think on your feet as there are many unforeseen issues which can arise at any point in the process.<\/p>\n \u201cMindset is 90% of this business and, ultimately, what sets highly successful agents apart from the rest is attitude,\u201d said Cilliers.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of highs and lows in real estate and it takes a very positive attitude, discipline and perseverance to carry on full steam ahead regardless of prevailing circumstances.<\/p>\n \u201cBut at the end of the day, there are few careers that can match the rewards that real estate can offer; not only financially because there are few feelings as rewarding as the satisfaction of finding a family their perfect home.\u201d<\/p>\n
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