You’ve passed your exam. You’ve got your license. Now what? This is the question every new real estate agent asks. That’s why you need this new real estate agent checklist.
You may feel excited but also confused. You don’t want to make costly mistakes.
- But where do you start?
- How do you build a strong business?
- What steps should you follow first?
I know many new agents struggle with what steps to take, what to prioritize, and how to build a strong foundation.
That’s why I want to share what I’ve learned. In this guide, I’ll explain the checklist for new real estate agents. You will get everything from building your professional image to becoming confident at finding new clients.
Let’s start.
Step 1: Set Up the Basics
Congratulations on becoming a licensed agent. That’s a huge first step. Now, it’s time to build the base for your business.
- Pick the Right Brokerage: Choose a brokerage that fits your goals. Look at their support systems, training, mentorship, and commission structure.
- Get Your Business Tools Ready: Set up a professional email, get a business phone number, order business cards, and update your social media profiles to reflect your new career.
- Learn the Local Market: Start understanding the neighborhoods you’ll be working in. Visit open houses, look at property trends, and get to know home prices.
- Start Your Contact List: Let your family, friends, and past coworkers know you’re a real estate agent now. These are your first leads.
- Set Realistic Goals: Think about what you want to achieve in your first year—how many deals, how much income, and how many people you want to connect with.
Step 2: Begin Generating Leads
Getting clients won’t happen automatically. You have to go out and find them.
- Aim for 50 Real Estate Conversations a Week: The more people you talk to, the better. These can be in person, over the phone, or online.
- Try Open Houses: If you don’t have listings, ask another agent if you can host one for them. Open houses are great for meeting buyers.
- Use Cold Calling: This method is still one of the fastest ways to build your contact list. Services like REDX can help by giving you tools to make calls quickly and easily.
Step 3: Make the Most of Your Brokerage
Your brokerage isn’t just a place to work—it’s your support system. Every brokerage is different, so explore the tools, training, and support available to you.
By tapping into these resources and connecting with the right people, you’ll set yourself up for success.
It’s an important step in your new realtor checklist to help grow your business from day one.
- Join Training Sessions: These sessions help you learn real-world skills fast.
- Find a Mentor: A seasoned agent can guide you and share tips you won’t find in books.
- Use Their Marketing Tools: Many brokerages provide templates, professional photography, and admin support. Use them.
- Attend Events: Networking at office events helps you build relationships and stay on top of market trends.
Step 4: Put Yourself Out There
Now that you know what needs to be done, it’s time to take action and start getting noticed. As a new agent, your goal is to build a strong personal brand that helps you stand out and shows people you’re serious about real estate.
- Write a Great Bio: Your bio should show who you are, what you do, and why clients should trust you.
- Get a Professional Headshot: A polished photo gives people confidence in you.
- Build Your Online Presence: Make sure your website and social media match your brand and stay updated.
- Network Online and Offline: Meet people, attend events, and be active on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Share Helpful Content: Post market updates, home tips, or success stories to build trust and engagement.
- Use Client Testimonials: Positive reviews from happy clients go a long way in building credibility.
- Be Active in Your Community: Join local events or volunteer. People like working with agents they know and trust.
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Step 5: Build Your Tech Stack
As a new real estate agent, using the right tools can save you time, help you stay organized, and make a great impression on your clients.
Here are some essential tech tools to include in your new real estate agent checklist:
- Use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management Tool): A CRM helps you keep track of all your leads, contacts, and clients in one place. You can set reminders, automate follow-ups, and ensure no opportunity slips through the cracks.
- Get Transaction Management Software: Real estate deals involve a lot of paperwork and deadlines. Transaction management tools keep everything organized so you don’t miss important steps like inspections, signings, or closing dates.
- Use Cloud Storage & E-Signature Tools: Tools like Google Drive and Dropbox help you store documents safely online. So you can access them anytime, anywhere. Apps like DocuSign and Adobe Acrobat make it easy for clients to sign documents securely without printing anything.
- Use Social Media Tools: Apps like Agent Crate or Canva help you create eye-catching posts and schedule them ahead of time. This keeps your social media active and professional, even on busy days.
- Try Virtual Tour & Staging Software: Virtual tour tools let buyers “walk through” a property online. Also, virtual staging apps help you furnish empty homes digitally. These tools make your listings look more appealing and modern.
- Use Communication Tools & Dialers: Cold calling and follow-ups are part of the job. Communication apps and auto-dialers help you stay in touch with leads efficiently and keep a record of your calls.
- Have On-the-Go Apps: Real estate apps on your phone let you check listings, update clients, and manage your work while you’re out and about. You don’t need to be at a desk to get things done.
Step 6: Navigate Your First Transactions
Your first deal is a big step, and it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. Here are some simple tips to help you stay on track and make the most of the experience:
- Lean on Your Mentor: If you’re not sure about something, ask your mentor. You can also reach out to experienced colleagues for help. They’ve done it all before and can help guide you through the process. They’re also there to answer your questions and help you avoid common mistakes.
- Check Every Detail: Pay close attention to deadlines, documents, and contract details. Even a small mistake can cause delays, so take time to double-check everything. Staying organized helps you keep the process running smoothly.
- Communicate Often: Keep your clients in the loop at every stage of the deal. Regular updates help build trust and make them feel confident that you’re handling things professionally.
- Stay Calm: Real estate can get stressful, especially during negotiations or closing. If things start to feel tough, take a deep breath, stay calm, and focus on solving one issue at a time.
- Reflect and Improve: After the deal closes, take some time to think about what went well and what you could do better next time. Every transaction is a chance to learn, grow, and become a stronger agent.
Step 7: Be Ready for Challenges
Real estate isn’t always easy. Be prepared for the bumps in the road.
- Deals May Fall Through: Don’t count on a deal until it’s closed.
- Difficult Clients Happen: Some people will challenge your patience.
- The Market Changes: Stay educated so you can adapt.
- Work-Life Balance is Tough: Make time for yourself.
- Rejection is Normal: Not every lead will work out. Keep pushing.
Step 8: Keep Learning and Growing
Real estate is always changing, and staying on top of your game means continuing to learn and grow. Here are a few simple ways to keep improving, all of which should be part of your new realtor checklist:
- Take Continuing Education Courses: To keep your real estate license active, you’ll need to take continuing education (CE) courses regularly. These classes also help you stay updated on new laws, trends, and skills that make you a better agent.
- Seek Mentorship and Connect with Other Agents: Learning from others is one of the fastest ways to grow. Mentors and experienced agents can share helpful tips, answer your questions, and guide you through tricky situations.
- Stay Up to Date with Technology: New tools and apps are constantly being released to help agents save time and close deals quickly. Try using new technology that helps with marketing, managing clients, or creating virtual tours.
- Focus on Personal Growth Too: Being a great agent isn’t just about business—it’s also about mindset. Read books, listen to podcasts, take breaks when needed, and actively invest in your well-being. A healthy mindset leads to better results.
- Review and Adjust Your Goals: Check in with your goals often. Are you on track? What needs to change? Setting time aside to reflect helps you stay focused and motivated.
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Step 9: Dream Big and Set Goals
It’s not enough to just get by—you should aim to thrive and grow. Here are a few steps to help you take charge of your success:
- Create a Vision Board: Visualizing your success is a powerful tool. A vision board can help you see where you want to go and keep you focused on your goals.
- Break Big Goals into Smaller Steps: Big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down makes them more manageable. For example, if you want more deals, focus on improving your lead follow-up process.
- Make a Plan: Having a clear plan is key to staying on track. Set timelines, define your goals, and create a path forward to reach them.
- Track Your Progress: Keep an eye on your numbers and progress.
Review what’s working and adjust your strategy if needed to stay on course.
- Ask for Support: Mentors and accountability partners can help you stay focused and motivated. Don’t hesitate to lean on others when you need guidance or encouragement.
- Celebrate Your Wins: Take time to celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small. This helps you stay positive and motivated as you continue to grow in your real estate career.
Final Thoughts
Being new to real estate can be overwhelming, but with this new real estate agent checklist, you can take it one step at a time.
Stay consistent, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you stick with it and follow this real estate agent checklist, you’ll be closing deals and building a solid career before you know it!
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