Real Estate Sales Agents

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This occupation is part of the Sales and Related cluster

About the Job

Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties, such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

It is also Called

  • Agent
  • Agricultural Real Estate Agent
  • Apartment Leasing Agent
  • Apartment Rental Agent
  • Associate Broker
  • Broker Associate
  • Broker in Charge
  • Building Consultant
  • Buyers' Agent
  • Closing Agent

What They Do

  • Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
  • Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
  • Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
  • Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements and related matters.
  • Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
  • Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property, advising them on the suitability and value of the homes they are visiting.
  • Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds and leases.
  • Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
  • Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
  • Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: EC.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Enterprising interests, but also prefer Conventional environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Achievement, but also value Relationships and Independence in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Education Required

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $52,280 with most people making between $22,430 and $97,320

Outlook

1.80%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 29,400 people in California. It is projected that there will be 34,700 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 530 openings due to growth and about 660 replacement openings for approximately 1,190 total annual openings.

Common College Majors

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