You have finally earned a new real estate agent license after studying and passing the tests.

You even have a rough idea of the brokerage you want to join to build your career. But how do you scale your career as a new real estate agent to become successful?

Buckle up as we discuss 10 new real estate agent must do's and tips you must follow. And if the idea of becoming your own boss excites you, why not kick-start your real estate career with us?

1. Join the Local MLS Board

A new real estate agent cannot do much without a key card or MLS access. Learning your online MLS should thus be your first task.

While browsing and researching different properties on the MLS, you will begin to develop facts and ideas that you can share with your sphere of influence and prospects.

Familiarize yourself with the property types that are selling, what's not selling, and the reason why the prevailing interest rates among other industry-related news.

2. Preview Homes

Don't wait until you land your first client to use your key card. Before you set up your first home preview, request your office manager or broker for help.

Get to know important phone numbers, the usual showing windows, your office ID, lockbox/key pick-up protocol, advance notice requirements, and more.

Practice previewing properties with a spouse or friend before obtaining a client. You can pick a city or neighborhood and preview several homes over the weekend. Get acquainted with making home preview appointments, and working the lockbox as well as the alarm.

3. Submit an Offer or Contract

Once the buyer previews a home, don’t hesitate to submit an offer or contract. Share the same with your broker, manager, or team leader who will help you redline it. You can even practice how to submit an offer by role-playing.

“It’s better to be prepared, and not have an opportunity than to have an opportunity, and not be prepared.” Richard Soto, VIP Realty CEO.

A new real estate agent's responsibilities will also include reading and understanding the terms outlined in the lease agreements, purchase agreement contracts, and power of attorney contracts. Note that an agent doesn’t need a law degree to understand real estate contracts.

4. Practice your Scripts

The adage, "practice makes perfect," still stands true even in real estate. Make it a habit to practice your scripts every day before setting out to meet a client.

Memorizing your scripts will also boost your confidence when speaking to prospective buyers. You'll also come out as an expert in your field, your inexperience notwithstanding.

Don’t forget to acquaint yourself with a variety of resources including buyer and seller presentations that you can review before any big meeting.

5. Know the Market

Because buyers and sellers expect you to be an expert in your field, you'll need to learn more about your local market to gain a competitive advantage. Start the day by reviewing your ‘hot sheet’ to identify new listings, price reductions, and properties that have gone under contract.

Get to know the listings, neighborhoods, or home sizes that are selling hot while also identifying homes that have been in the market for months. Watch for trends by comparing monthly listings, average days on the market as well as the average list-to-sale ratio.

In addition, you'll need to have a firm grasp on important factors including:

• Crime rate
• Homeowners Associations
• Nearby schools
• Public transportation
• Neighborhoods
• Community

6. Build and Organize a Database

You can start building and organizing your database by making use of the CRM your brokerage provides. Start by first uploading your phone contact list. Separate the database into your sphere of influence which could be a commercial, investor, or past client database.

Though you can still make money door-knocking and cold calling, a robust CRM has the potential to send 300 text messages at a go.

A great database will also help you stay organized and give you a good follow-up system.

For example, VIP Realty generates anywhere from 20 to 100 leads daily through its websites.

7. Lead Generation

Your database or sphere ought to be your main lead source. Create several pillars as you don't want to rely on a single lead generation source that may dry up.

Note that most clients will not buy a house immediately as home buying is a process. It's also not the first agent nor the last agent in the funnel who closes the sale—it's often the most determined agent.

That said, exploiting the CRM and marketing automation features can help you touch base with cold leads periodically. You’re likely to get a big payoff from nurturing leads for months or even years.

Other sources for lead generation include:

• Digital advertising
• Geographic farming
• Circle prospecting around recent sales
• Physical open houses or virtual open houses

8. Build your Brand

Building a brand that generates passive income takes years thus the earlier you start building one the better. Because people search online first, your website will offer a great tool to connect with both buyers and sellers.

But don't settle for any ten-dollar WordPress website. A professional real estate agent website needs to have an IDX or the MLS where users can search by radius, map, and polygon search. Provide the user with an experience similar to other popular realtor websites such as Zillow.

Don't forget to create a business page on social media and attend as many industry-related networking events as you can. Well-designed business cards can also give your branding a boost.

9. Invest in Yourself

As you grow in your career as a real estate professional, you'll need to constantly reinvest in yourself. This calls for restraint anytime you feel the urge to splash on unnecessary items.

Because a workman is only as good as his tools, your investment should go towards setting up great tools for lead generation, CRM, a website, and marketing.

10. Be Consistent

While cold calling may not be the most exciting new real estate agent tip, it's still an important facet of the job. Make calls with ease by following the simple 3-2-1 plan which involves:

Three hours of cold calling

Identifying two or more leads

Setting up an appointment

Be consistent in formulating a plan and sticking to it, whether you’re in the mood for it or not.

Final Thoughts

Never rest on your laurels if you want to succeed as a new real estate agent. Learn new technology and exploit it to your advantage. Don't forget to innovate new lead generation methods, and always exploit any referral links.

Are you a real estate agent in a different market outside Texas or California? If the idea of opening a VIP Realty branch in your locality excites you, contact us today to discuss further this career-changing opportunity!