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Real Estate Sales Associate Duties and Responsibilities

In reaching their goal of listing and selling properties, Real Estate Sales Associates must complete a number of tasks. In reviewing several job listings and other sources for this profession, we found the following are among the core duties and responsibilities of a Real Estate Sales Associate.

List Properties for Sale When working with sellers, Real Estate Sales Associates, also referred to as Listing Agents in this role, will help sellers establish a selling price for their property. They will help sellers prepare homes for showings, suggest what might need to be repaired and create a listing for the home that will appear in newspapers, websites and other venues. Real Estate Sales Associates will conduct a comparative study of other houses in the area to arrive at a competitive and agreeable sales price.

Show Clients Properties As a buyer’s agent, a Real Estate Sales Associate will meet with potential homebuyers to show them available properties. They will schedule clients to see homes and also provide them with information about mortgages and rental agreements. Real Estate Sales Associates will arrange for open houses and often attend them to show clients who visit this event. In addition, they will bring offers from clients to sellers.

Negotiate Sales Transactions Once an offer has been placed, a Real Estate Sales Associate will work with their clients, whether they are buyers or sellers, throughout the transaction. This will include preparing purchase agreements, ensuring that the property meets all inspection requirements and assisting buyers in finding a mortgage broker. In rare situations, a Real Estate Sales Associate will work for both the buyer and the seller, but this is typically discouraged.

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Real Estate Sales Associate Skills

Real Estate Sales Associates must have strong communication, customer service, interpersonal and negotiation skills. They should be detail-oriented critical thinkers who can work with diverse clients and understand their needs and interests. Though they work under a sales broker and might need their expertise at times, a Real Estate Sales Associates should be able to work independently to show properties and become involved throughout sales transactions. In addition to these general skills, a Real Estate Sales Associate could be expected by potential employers to possess the following skills. Core skills: Based on job listings and other sources we looked at, employers want Real Estate Sales Associates with these core skills. If you want to work as a Real Estate Sales Associate, focus on the following.

  • Creating property marketing materials
  • Compiling property data such as surveys and summary reports
  • Conducting comparative market studies
  • Preparing offers and sales agreements
  • Understanding mortgage processes
  • Possessing real estate sales license

Advanced skills: While most employers did not require the following skills, multiple job listings included them as preferred. Add these to your Real Estate Sales Associate toolbox and broaden your career options.

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
  • Basic financial knowledge, such as calculating percentages and commissions
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Real Estate Sales Associate Resources

The following are among the best industry resources we found that could be helpful as you continue your research of a Real Estate Sales Associate career. Both online and print resources are listed below. On the Web

Realtor.com – A comprehensive website providing Real Estate Sales Associates, brokers and agents with articles relating to career advice and market trends.

Speaking of Real Estate – Hosted by the National Association of Realtors, this blog offers personal insight into such topics as market trends, the use of social media and success strategies.

Real Estate Marketing Blog – A blog filled with helpful articles for Real Estate Sales Associates, covering such topics as real estate leads, effective marketing through real estate websites, using virtual real estate videos and using various social media channels to advertise listings. Industry Groups

National Association of Realtors (NAR) – NAR provides Real Estate Sales Associates and other commercial and residential real estate professionals with networking, training and career development opportunities through courses, summits, conferences and advocacy.

National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) – Established in 1947, NAREB is an organization targeting all types of real estate professionals, not just brokers. It offers training and educational programs and is a resource for Real Estate Sales Associates, agents and others to review industry standards and practices. Books

Your First Year in Real Estate, 2nd Edition: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional – A book filled with tips and strategies to help Real Estate Sales Associates better their careers. Covers how to build client relationships, track current trends in the industry, stay ahead of the competition and more.

How to Become a Power Agent in Real Estate: A Top Industry Trainer Explains How to Double Your Income in 12 Months – This book addresses tools and techniques Real Estate Sales Associates can employ to help them become more successful in the field. Focuses on increasing sales and listings.

Real Estate Prospecting: The Ultimate Resource Guide – A comprehensive look at the real estate prospecting process. Real Estate Sales Associates can learn how to identify and contact prospective buyers and sellers.