The real estate industry is a very competitive one. There are many players in this game of buying and selling houses, but the most valuable player is the real estate agent. Yes, sales can still push through sans an agent, but the presence of one brings many positive benefits to clients and homeowners looking to sell their homes. The agents can make or break a sale. They can price your home better and even speed up the selling process. In a nutshell, these real estate agents form the workforce of the real estate business.

However, for you to enjoy the maximum benefits that a real estate agent can bring, it's also imperative that you choose the right one. Working with the wrong agent can only bring about horrible experiences. Whether you're a seller or a buyer, it's essential that you also invest in searching for an excellent agent.

If you are looking for a good agent or considering becoming one, consider some of these qualities that should be present in a good real estate agent:

1. Strong Problem-Solver Mindset

The real estate industry is rather lucrative, but at the same time it’s also quite competitive and stressful. Each day at work, the agents are bound to face different sets of problems. But an excellent real estate agent doesn't back down from these problems. When presented with an issue, they come up with a creative solution for resolving it. For instance, after a few months on the market, a property unfortunately does not attract anybody’s interest. The real estate agent should be able to solve this problem without losing heart. Through their skills, they can turn the property into one that is considered highly marketable.

Here are some tips on how to develop a problem-solving mindset:

• Have a strong sense of responsibility. That way, each time a problem comes along, you know that it's your job to fix it. It's not something that you should just back away from.

• Learn how to dig deep and recognize the real root cause of the problem.

• Don't lose control of your emotions, once things start to go wrong.

• Turn the problem inside out. Always have that fear of what could go wrong if you don't do your best to solve the problem.

• Understand the true nature of the problem and set the goals that you wish to achieve, to motivate you to keep working at solving the issue.

2. Determination Thick As Steel

Real estate agents should also have a powerful sense of determination. As an agent, it means that you're always determined to achieve success. Whether it be a small property or a big one, your goal is always to sell it. If you're the agent for a buyer, you don't stop until that buyer ends up with the choice of their dreams. Defeat is never an option. Nor would you ever want for it to happen that your client leaves you in favor of another agent. If you do so happen to be looking for a new realtor, check out a trusted agent like kellycaldwell.ca.

If this isn't the type of person that you are, then you can't fare well in the real estate industry. You need to have that resolute drive to win and excel, no matter the challenges you face throughout the day.

3. Entrepreneurial Mindset

Real estate agents are, technically, like entrepreneurs. They are their own boss. If they fail, they fail for themselves. If they earn a profit, they earn it for themselves too. It's all in their hands as to how they go about handling success or failure in this industry. But all these hardships come with a great reward. When you take a good look at entrepreneurs, you’ll see them enjoying the benefits of the seeds that they've planted.

In this case, having an entrepreneurial mindset means having the following traits:

• You can make smart decisions fast.

• You have a strong sense of self-motivation.

• You're always driven to succeed.

4. Ability To Negotiate

This aspect is also one of the most apparent qualities that good agents must possess. They should be able to negotiate better deals, for and on behalf of their clients. Yes, if you are a real estate agent, you'd naturally be thinking about the cut or fee that you'll receive. But beyond this, you would be more interested in making a sale than none at all. This means that at all times, you're constantly on the hunt for the best deals for your clients. 

Here are some tips and tricks on how to develop excellent negotiation skills:

• Learn to run through all possible scenarios on your mind and prepare for them all.

• Determine what's acceptable for the other party, such as prevailing market rates, deal breakers for both sides, pricing power, and the other side's reason to buy or sell.

• Know your goals. What is it that you're asking for in this negotiation? Build your case, so that it's easier for you to convince the other side to accept your offer.

• Always keep in mind how much you want and the highest price that you can and will pay.

• Think of alternatives, should you not get a reasonable price offer from one buyer or seller.

• Be willing to go through a long conversation.

5. Honesty And Integrity

Real estate agents should never lie. If they think a property is a bad choice for the buyer, they should be honest about it, even if that means losing a good commission on that property. This could also mean having to go back to scratch again and looking for a better option. Real estate agents should never sell their clients anything short of the truth. If you are an agent, then in the long run, it is your reputation that's going to suffer the most.

Here are some other compelling reasons why integrity is so important in business:

• It means that you're always doing the right thing for no other reason than because it's the right thing to do.

• It results in more satisfied clients, which, in turn, also improves your reputation as a real estate agent.

• It means that you're a professional who is never afraid of the truth.

• It speaks of the quality that you bring to your role as a real estate agent.

6. Tech-Savviness

Being tech-savvy is a crucial trait of real estate agents today, which perhaps did not exist several years ago. As technology continues to grow and expand, all the more reason that agents and other professionals should learn to use technology to their advantage. Else, they're only going to fall further behind as compared to the competition. For starters, you have to know your way around computers, the Internet, and now, mobile apps too.

This quality becomes even more important when you're the agent of the seller. When done right, you can get the property sold in even less than a month by making good use of technology. There are many forms of digital marketing that you can undertake. Then there are also the mobile apps that you can use to list the properties you're trying to sell. Hence the need for you to know your way around the Internet.

Here are several good reasons why you should start learning more about technology as a real estate agent:

• You can reach more clients through a stronger online presence

• You can use technology to be able to have sufficient means of communication with your clients, such as the ease of sending photos and other documents

• Keeps you more organized with your schedule for every client

• You can use various apps that can increase the chances of marketing each property you're selling in a better way

7. Innate Interest In Houses And Architecture

Are you in the real estate industry just for the money? If that's the case, then don't expect to succeed at becoming a great one. You'll only end up failing over and over again. An excellent real estate agent should already have a keen interest in houses and architecture. This is very important as this love can keep you passionate about your job.

Remember that the real estate industry is moving at a very competitive speed. To keep up, you also have to study and learn more about properties, house features, interior design, and whatnot. If you don't love these topics, then learning and updating your knowledge regularly is going to feel like such a cumbersome chore for you. 

When you have a strong interest in houses and architecture, this also gives you a competitive advantage against other real estate agents. This interest is going to be visible and apparent when you meet clients. You will be able to converse well, and you will also be able to answer all of their questions with ease.

8. Strong Ability To Form Connections

Are you naturally a people’s person? Are you someone who doesn't have any problem with reaching out to new people? If that's you, then it's another sign that you'll make an excellent real estate agent. In this industry, one has to have the ability to build a strong and extensive network. In business, sometimes it matters more who you know. That way, it'll be easier for you to connect buyers with the right homes, or to help the sellers meet the right buyers.

For example, you may need to find other professionals linked to the real estate industry. They can connect you with a good MAI appraiser who can provide you with an accurate appraisal. This appraiser has to be someone who has a good reputation and is also known for their competence in the field. Further, you may also need an inspection team, legal counsel, and so on. If you have a strong connection with these professionals already, it'll be easier for you to get the job done faster.

Conclusion

It takes a particular set of skills to excel and stand out in the real estate industry as an agent. These enumerated above comprise only a few, but they're some of the basics that, if present in the agent, can successfully guarantee that you're working with a good one. If you're an aspiring agent, these can also help you become an excellent and reputable broker. Inculcate these qualities up to the best of your ability, so you can still be your own person while acing it in this highly competitive industry.