NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Skills & Strategies Every Agent Should Have
Realtor Personality Type: What Makes for a Good Real Estate Agent? (VanEd, Aug. 10, 2023)
First and foremost, a real estate agent needs excellent communication skills in order to succeed. Speaking and writing effectively can help an agent convey important information clearly to their clients. This can avoid unfortunate misunderstandings in the future, thereby making the home buying or selling process a lot easier.
10 Essential Skills Real Estate Agents Should Possess (HousingWire, Aug. 4, 2023)
It’s not just a simple business transaction for these sellers and buyers. It’s personal, and you need to have the emotional intelligence necessary to honor their experience while still serving the needs of the transaction. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s essential to ease people through sometimes-challenging transitions.
Real Estate Skills - Understand What It Takes to Be a Successful Agent (The CE Shop, 2022)
“This article is a look at the top ten skills needed to be a real estate agent. As you read through [the] guide, bear in mind that these qualities of a good real estate agent are just a snapshot; if you don’t possess all of these real estate skills, you can still become a successful agent. But if you work to improve these skills, you’ll see a hefty return on your investment.”
Real Estate Business Letter Templates (
National Association of REALTORS®)
The NAR Library receives calls from time-to-time requesting letter templates* for business prospecting or to announce new business ventures. Below are a few template ideas penned by our librarians which you are free to download. We've also included some library resources for developing business letter templates.
Tools (REALTOR® Magazine)
Architectural Styles: Residential — Learn about the residential elements that give a home character, history, and romance.
Architectural Styles: Structural Elements — Learn about the structural elements that give a home character, history, and romance.
Client Education — Reinforce your value and illustrate your real estate expertise with handouts for your buyers, sellers, and new homeowners.
Real Estate Scripts — Sales scripts and videos to help you answer common objections and deal with issues that routinely come up in real estate transactions
Getting Started in Real Estate
15 Tips for New Real Estate Agents to Succeed (Indeed, Jul. 18, 2023)
Consider finding a mentor who can help you navigate the real estate industry, offer you advice and make you feel more confident. Identify a more experienced real estate agent within your brokerage or area.
What to Do in Your First 30 Days as a Real Estate Agent (Pearson Realty Group, Jan. 18, 2023)
One post a week for the first four weeks is a great starting point to start building your brand and getting your name out in front of people’s faces. Just like before, don’t spread yourself too thin. Think about your niche and what social media platforms are most effective in marketing to them.
How to Be a Successful Real Estate Agent in 2023 (HooQuest, Mar. 11, 2023)
By selecting 4 pillars (one of which should be referrals, past clients, and friends and family), you are still diversifying your lead generation strategies, but not overextending yourself. Lead generation requires consistency. Keeping consistent is hard when you are balancing too many plates.
16 Activities for New Realtors to Do in Their First Month (Florida REALTORS®, Aug. 26, 2022)
"Your first sale could take four to six months or more, counsels Gagnon, so getting yourself set up for success can make all the difference between making a career out of real estate or leaving the business after a year."
30 Under 30 (REALTOR® Magazine)
Each May/June, REALTOR® Magazine features 30 young rising stars in the real estate industry. In determining who makes the 30 Under 30 list, REALTOR® Magazine staff looks for candidates who are successful in the real estate business and have demonstrated skill, success, creativity, and leadership in their careers.
Sales & Marketing: My First Year Articles (REALTOR® Magazine)
A collection of articles illustrating the first-year experiences from REALTORS®.
Finding Your First Clients
5 Tips to Find Your First Real Estate Client (California Realty Training, Aug. 21, 2023)
The sphere of influence is your immediate network of people when you enter your new real estate career. You might think “I don’t have a network–I’m new!” This is a common fallacy. Everyone has a sphere of influence, but not everyone knows what it looks like.
10 Ways to Get Your First Listing Client!…. Real Estate Marketing (Marketing Artfully, Jul. 25, 2023)
As a listing agent you can stake a claim to any neighborhood you like, simply by taking neighborhood videos of the gate, the amenities, sample houses, etc. You can also become a recognized expert in your town or area easily by taking people on “tour” videos and talking about what is interesting about your neighborhood!
How to Stand Out from the Crowd and Win Listings (RISMedia, May 23, 2023)
Role-playing would be a great exercise to do if you are working some floor time at the office or suggest this as a group activity for one of your office meetings. Some of the more tenured agents could give you some tips and advice, or maybe you could even teach them some new things.
33 Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas that Actually Don’t Suck (Agent Advice)
"Generating real estate leads isn’t easy, and there are several ways to go about it. You can focus on buyers or sellers, cast a wide net to maximize the number of leads or go more tactical to get very high-quality prospects. You have lots of options – but the first to figure out is if you want to buy real estate leads, or drive them yourself."
Branding and Marketing
How To Create a Personal Brand (And Why It’s Important) (
Indeed, Mar. 29, 2023)
'When creating your personal brand, you can consider your unique talents, skills and goals that distinguish you from your peers. Understanding how to create a personal brand can help you manage your professional image and market your skills and experiences to attract potential employers."
4 Steps to Building a Personal Brand for Real Estate Agents (realtor.com®, Feb. 28, 2023)
"1000 Watt founder Marc Davison said, 'Marketing is the vehicle you use to get people to buy something. Branding is the vehicle you use to get people to trust your marketing.'"
13 Examples of Perfect Real Estate Branding (Placester, Feb. 25, 2020)
"Successful real estate branding can’t be accomplished with just a fancy logo or a catchy motto. The real secret behind strong real estate brands is a combination of creative elements and on-point messaging into a coherent identity. And if you want to become a real estate branding champion, it takes valuable content, a strong media presence, and regular interaction with your audience to convey that identity."
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
42 Rules to Turn Prospects into Customers (eBook)
The Blueprint: Strategic Plan for Brand New, First Year and Struggling Real Estate Agents (eBook)
Branding for Dummies (eBook)
Easy Step by Step Guide to Telemarketing, Cold Calling & Appointment Making (eBook)
E-mail Etiquette (eBook, Audiobook)
Improvisational Negotiation (eBook)
Marketing Demystified (eBook)
Opportunities in Real Estate Careers (eBook)
Social Media Marketing (eBook)
Your First Year in Real Estate (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
The Honest Real Estate Agent: A Training Guide for a Successful First Year and Beyond as a Real Estate Agent, (CreateSpace, 2012)
Sales and Marketing 101 for Real Estate Professionals (Chicago, IL: Dearborn Real Estate, 2007)
The Real Estate Agent's Business Planner (New York, NY: AMACOM, 2005)
So, You're a Real Estate Agent? Now What?! (Maximum Potential, 2004)
The Skilled Negotiator: Mastering the Language of Engagement (Chicago, IL : Jossey-Bass, 2004) HF 5438 R23s
The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions—From Opening Escrow to Negotiating Fees to Signing Closing Papers (Chicago, IL : McGraw-Hill, 2003) HF 5438 G11
Your First Year in Real Estate (Roseville, CA: Prima Publishing, 2001)
Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions.
The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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