{"id":38,"date":"2021-01-21T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtrends.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/21\/7-steps-to-starting-a-real-estate-career\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T01:58:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T01:58:03","slug":"7-steps-to-starting-a-real-estate-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtrends.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/21\/7-steps-to-starting-a-real-estate-career\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Steps to Starting a Real Estate Career"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">A real estate career, over the long term, can be a lucrative small business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">If you want to take the plunge and start your own real estate business instead of just treating real estate as a career, here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">The real estate market is enormous. There are about 2 million active real estate licensees and over 86,000 real estate brokerage firms in the United States. The median gross income for a real estate licensee is around $42,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">According to the <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/research-and-statistics\/quick-real-estate-statistics\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">National Association of Realtors<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">, annual sales have been increasing for more than a decade. And while 2020 and a global pandemic put a lot of pressure on the real estate market, the end of 2020 saw a strong rebound in real estate sales around the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Let\u2019s take a look at seven steps you should take to start a real estate business:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">&gt;&gt; This is a condensed version of <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/how-to-start-a-real-estate-business\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">How to Start a Real Estate Business: The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">. Read the full guide to get more actionable insights and resources to help you start your real estate business.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">1. Develop and refine your idea<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">How do your natural strengths differentiate you from the other real estate businesses in the area? Consider the following questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">What skills set me apart?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">What is the purpose of my business?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Who am I providing a service or product to?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">What is the maximum figure I can safely spend on this real estate business?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Do I need outside capital? How much?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">What kind of work\/life balance am I looking to achieve?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">What are my expectations for starting a real estate business?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Competition is hard enough \u2014make it easier to stand out with a specialty when you start a real estate company. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Maybe you want to be the area expert in short sales, only focus on rental property management, or perhaps you are the go-to resource for landlord\/tenant laws for your state.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">It\u2019s important to find a niche. As we emphasize in our definitive guide on <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/how-to-start-a-business\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">how to start a business<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">, choosing a niche will increase your chance of success.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">2. Write a business plan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\">Although a business plan isn\u2019t mandatory, it can help you to crystallize your ideas. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">A business plan defines your company\u2019s objectives and then provides specific information that shows how your company will reach those goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Your business plan doesn\u2019t need to be 100 pages long. 100-page business plans are not standard in the real estate business. Keep your business plan short and concise, and focus on the essential details. There are several great <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/#one-page-business-plan\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">one-page business plan templates<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> you can use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">For actionable insights and free downloadable business plan templates, read this definitive guide on<\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\"> how to write a business plan<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">3. Get a real estate license<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">There are four necessary steps you need to compete to get your real estate license and start working as a real estate professional:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 15px;\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Take the real estate pre-licensing course for your state.<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> You\u2019ll need to study the topics covered on the exam, including fair housing laws, property ownership types, fiduciary responsibilities, titles, deeds, contracts, and other necessary aspects of real estate law. Every real estate pre-licensing course will cover the rules and regulations for your state, in addition to the federal real estate laws in effect for all 50 states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Pass the real estate licensing exam.<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> The exam length varies from about 1.5 hours to 3.5 hours based on the state you\u2019re in. In most states, you must answer 70% to 75% of the questions correctly to pass. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Submit your real estate license application.<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> Submit your license application to your state\u2019s real estate board as soon as you pass your exam. Your state may require all real estate license applicants to submit their fingerprints for a criminal background check.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.25in;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Find a real estate broker.<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> Now that you\u2019ve successfully passed your real estate exam, submitted your application for a license to your state\u2019s real estate department, and paid any necessary fees, you will need to find a broker to work for. Having your license associated with a licensed brokerage is required to start working as a real estate agent.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">4. Decide your legal business structure<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Most real estate agents operate as self-employed business owners affiliated with a licensed real estate brokerage firm. In this case, agents run their independent businesses but under the supervision of a licensed managing broker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Opening your brokerage has some similar considerations, but with an expanded focus. In most states, opening your real estate brokerage firm also requires a special type of real estate license. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">In both cases, you are starting a business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Brokerage seeking entrepreneurs generally select one of four legal <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/how-to-start-a-business\/business-structure\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">business structures<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or a corporation. Here\u2019s a basic breakdown of each:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 15px;\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Sole proprietorship<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> \u2013 this is the most basic business entity. A sole proprietorship means that one person is solely responsible for a business\u2019 profits and debts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Partnership<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> \u2013 a partnership is a shared responsibility between two or more people who hold personal liability for a business.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Limited Liability Company (LLC)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> \u2013 a structure that permits owners, partners, or shareholders to limit personal liability but still includes tax and flexibility benefits associated with a partnership.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.25in;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Corporation<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> \u2013 this is an entity legally considered separate from its owners. That means that corporations are permitted to own property, be held liable, pay taxes, and enter contracts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Most real estate agents that work as independent contractors under the umbrella of a real estate brokerage operate as sole proprietors. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Additionally, single owner brokerage firms also sole proprietorships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">If you start in business on your own and opt not to incorporate or form an LLC, by default, you are a sole proprietor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Sole proprietorship and partnerships are the most accessible business forms because they form naturally. You don\u2019t have to declare either one. Once you or you and one more person start selling goods or services, you\u2019re automatically a sole proprietor or partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Companies and corporations require more effort to set up, but there are distinct financial and business benefits to each. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Consider your future business goals. You want to choose a business structure that can accommodate your real estate business\u2019s growth and expansion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">5. Create a strong brand identity<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Real estate agents and brokers often market their services on the strength of their brand and personality. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Crafting a memorable <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/brand-identity\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">brand identity<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> is a crucial element for any real estate professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Your brand identity represents how people know you and your business. It affects how customers perceive your reputation or the reputation of your company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Ask yourself these essential questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: 15px;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #424242;\">What identity\/personality do I want my real estate brand to project?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #424242;\">Who will want my products or services?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #424242;\">What can clients get from my services that they can\u2019t get anywhere else?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #424242;\">What can clients get from working with <em>me <\/em>that they can\u2019t get anywhere else?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #424242;\">What are my brand values?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.25in;\"><span style=\"color: #424242;\">What is the most critical part of my customers\u2019 experience?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Your answers to these questions (and others like them) will build the core of your brand. All of your future <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/branding\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">branding<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/how-to-rebrand\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">rebranding<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> decisions should expand on these ideas. Your <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/naming-a-business-or-product\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">business name<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">, logo, and website should all grow from the concepts you laid out here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Far too many real estate companies have identical logos. Be sure your <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/logo-design\/real-estate-logos\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">real estate logo<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> is unique. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">And don\u2019t forget about real estate signage. Leave dull signs to others and instead, get <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/real-estate-signage\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">real estate signs<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> that sell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Whenever you make personal appearances, be sure to carry <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/business-card-design\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">business cards<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/brochure-or-menu-design\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">brochures<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> for people who want to learn more about your services. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Before you decide that you should delay building a strong brand identity for your real estate business because you might not have a considerable budget, rethink that plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">The truth is that you don\u2019t have to spend thousands of dollars on building a strong brand identity. Here are a few pricing guides that can help you identify the sweet spot for pricing:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/cost-of-design\/logo-design-cost\/\"><span style=\"color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">How much should a logo design cost?<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/cost-of-design\/business-card-cost\/\"><span style=\"color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">How much does a business card cost?<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/cost-of-design\/brochure-design-cost\/\"><span style=\"color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">How much should a brochure design cost?<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/cost-of-design\/website-design-cost\/\"><span style=\"color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">How much does website design cost?<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">The above guides cover free, cheap, affordable, and expensive options. You\u2019ll find a price point that will fit your budget, regardless of the size of your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">6. Build an online presence<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Customers choose real estate services based on the brand, the real estate professional behind the brand, and that person\u2019s reputation. Your website is often the first contact point between you and potential clients. Make that first impression a good one with a well-designed site.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">According to a <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/realestateagentu.com\/14-new-search-behavior-statistics-home-buyers\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">study<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> on homebuyers, 90% start their search online, and 40% contact a real estate agent after researching the web. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">You must be on the Internet to compete in the real estate market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Ensure that your <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/website-design\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">website design<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> truly embodies your real estate brand. Visitors should understand who you are, the services you offer, and your qualifications and reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Your real estate website design and marketing copy should project your personal or broker\u2019s brand voice and identity. Here are some suggestions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: #424242;\">If you work as a real estate agent, include a photo and bio. Homebuyers want to know the person behind the site.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: #424242;\">Be authentic and avoid marketing \u201chappy talk.\u201d Speak the same language as your customers.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: #424242;\">Include high-quality examples of sales you\u2019ve closed, and make sure to include <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/lead-generation-form-optimization-conversion-strategies\/\"><span style=\"color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">social proof<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: #424242;\"> wherever possible.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.25in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\"> <span style=\"color: #424242;\">Give site visitors an easy way to get in contact with you.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: black;\">7. Grow your business<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Getting started can feel daunting, especially if you&#8217;re fresh from earning your real estate sales agent or broker&#8217;s license. Where to begin?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13px; color: #1a1919;\">Networking<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">An essential marketing tool in any real estate professional\u2019s toolkit is networking. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Consider a targeted approach to find people at networking events that can help you realize your goals and build your sphere of influence based on those connections. You want to build a diverse network of individuals and businesses who can provide advice, assistance, sales leads, or help you \u201clevel up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13px; color: #1a1919;\">Set up a CRM<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Real estate businesses run on relationships. How well you track these connections and manage your contacts can dramatically affect how successful your business is and how quickly you <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/how-to-start-a-business\/grow-your-business\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">grow your business<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">What you need is a customer relationship management system, or CRM.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">CRM gives you the ability to shape the customer experience and optimize your interactions, so you\u2019re always ready for that next lead.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13px; color: #1a1919;\">Contact your leads<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Once you start tracking your leads in a CRM, it\u2019s time to reach out and engage with them. <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbescommunicationscouncil\/2017\/11\/21\/how-to-convert-your-real-estate-leads\/#1be50fdc4032\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">Studies<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> show that the longer a lead sits unanswered, the lower the possibility that it can be converted into a sale: from 80% if you reach out immediately to 20-35% if you wait 30 minutes or more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Before you contact a lead, however, do some research. Look at their prior real estate transactions. Have some questions ready and be prepared to answer some, too. Have answers to some of the common questions written down, and above all, be positive and have an open mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">The focus is on quality instead of quantity. Spend the time to create a rapport with potential clients and talk to them as if you were talking to a friend. You are there to help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13px; color: #1a1919;\">Ask for Referrals<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/blog\/business-referrals\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">Referrals<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> are a significant source of leads for real estate businesses. Once you\u2019ve established a successful relationship with a customer, don\u2019t feel shy asking for a referral.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Often if you do your job well, there\u2019s no added effort required to get a referral. People are generally happy to share with others a positive experience they had working with someone. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">Reciprocity is a core principle of <\/span><span style=\"color: black;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/marketing-psychology\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #0381b7; text-decoration: none;\">marketing psychology<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\"> and is a powerful tool. A brief reminder at the end of doing business with a customer can help nudge someone who might otherwise forget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">In addition to friends and family, business associates, and people in your social and professional networks can help expand your pool of referrers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">When asking for a referral, don\u2019t beat around the bush. A straightforward request like, \u201cI would appreciate your help in growing my business. Would you feel comfortable leaving me a review or referring anyone you know that needs my services to me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">There\u2019s a lot to think about when you\u2019re starting your own real estate business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #424242;\">But with these insights, you have a proven plan that shows you how to start your own real estate business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 15px;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ross\u00a0Kimbarovsky is founder and CEO at\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-style: italic;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdspring.com\/\">crowdspring<\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">,<span style=\"color: #545353;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: black;\">where more than 220,000 experienced freelancers help agencies, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits with high-quality custom logo design, web design, graphic design, product design, and company naming services.<\/span><span style=\"color: #545353;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: black;\">Ross\u00a0mentors entrepreneurs through TechStars and Founder Institute, was honored as one of Techweek100\u2032s top technology leaders and business visionaries, and enjoys wearing shorts to work after a successful 13-year career as a trial lawyer.\u00a0Ross\u00a0has founded numerous other startups, including Startup Foundry, Quickly Legal, and Respect.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A real estate career, over the long term, can be a lucrative small business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15802,"featured_media":4822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3255],"tags":[],"coauthors":[20],"class_list":["post-38","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archive"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.4 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>7 Steps to Starting a Real Estate Career<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"a guide for people who are interested in starting a real estate career\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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