Occupation

Real Estate Sales Agents

Human Advantage 78%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.2 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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.

Also Known As: Agricultural Real Estate Agent, Apartment Leasing Agent, Apartment Leasing Consultant, Apartment Rental Agent, Building Consultant, Buyers' Agent, Closing Agent, Closing Coordinator +40 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
  2. Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
  3. Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
  4. Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
  5. 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.
  6. Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
  7. Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
  8. Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
  9. Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
  10. Contact previous clients for prospecting of referral business.
  11. Review property listings, trade journals, and relevant literature, and attend conventions, seminars, and staff and association meetings, to remain knowledgeable about real estate markets.
  12. Answer clients' questions regarding construction work, financing, maintenance, repairs, and appraisals.
  13. Coordinate appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
  14. Contact property owners and advertise services to solicit property sales listings.
  15. Advise sellers on how to make homes more appealing to potential buyers.
  16. Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
  17. Display commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties to clients and explain their features.
  18. Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property, advising them on the suitability and value of the homes they are visiting.
  19. Arrange for title searches to determine whether clients have clear property titles.
  20. Develop networks of attorneys, mortgage lenders, and contractors to whom clients may be referred.
  21. Review plans for new construction with clients, enumerating and recommending available options and features.
  22. Inspect condition of premises, and arrange for necessary maintenance or notify owners of maintenance needs.
  23. Visit properties to assess them before showing them to clients.

Supplemental Tasks (10)

  1. Investigate clients' financial and credit status to determine eligibility for financing.
  2. Evaluate mortgage options to help clients obtain financing at the best prevailing rates and terms.
  3. Appraise properties to determine loan values.
  4. Contact utility companies for service hookups to clients' property.
  5. Solicit and compile listings of available rental properties.
  6. Conduct seminars and training sessions for sales agents to improve sales techniques.
  7. Arrange meetings between buyers and sellers when details of transactions need to be negotiated.
  8. Rent or lease properties on behalf of clients.
  9. Secure construction or purchase financing with own firm or mortgage company.
  10. Locate and appraise undeveloped areas for building sites, based on evaluations of area market conditions.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
43%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
24%
Less than a High School Diploma
10%
Some College Courses
10%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5%
Bachelor's Degree
5%
Master's Degree
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Canva
  • Facebook
  • Google Docs
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Word
  • Yardi software
  • Zoom

Software (98)

  • Agent Business Builder
  • Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer
  • CMA Stuffers
  • Commercial and industrial development project cost analysis software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • DataBasix Technologies Lead Commander
  • DeLorme Topo USA
  • Digital contract software
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  • Document creation software
  • Easypano Tourweaver
  • Email software
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  • Financial calculators software
  • FloodMaps
  • Front Desk
  • Fund accounting software
  • Garmin City Select
  • General Magic Portico
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Google Ads
  • Google Drive
  • Greenbrier Graphics Deed Plotter
  • HUD-1 software
  • Home rating software
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • In-Hand Pocket APOD
  • Internet based MLS database software
  • Internet browser software
  • Iseemedia Photovista Panorama
  • Landlord Software Pro Flipper
  • LinkedIn
  • Loan application processing software
  • Loom
  • Lucero System Office Management
  • MediaVue
  • Microsoft FrontPage
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Moxi Works MoxiEngage
  • Moxi Works MoxiImpress
  • Moxi Works MoxiPresent
  • National Association of Realtors Online Database
  • Navigation software
  • Newsletter production software
  • OWL Bookkeeping for Realtors
  • Panorama Technologies ModelWeaver
  • Panoweaver Panorama
  • Power Real Estate Letters
  • PrimaSoft PC Realtor Organizer Deluxe
  • ProForce Highlight Flyer Master
  • ProForce Ultimate Brochures
  • RPIS Silent Flyer
  • Real Pro
  • Real estate application contract transmission REACT software
  • Real estate investment analysis software
  • RealData Comparative Lease Analysis
  • Reality Star ProAGENT Power Series Presentations
  • Realtors Property Resource RPR
  • RealtyStar AgentOffice
  • RealtyStar Real Estate Assistant
  • Reveal Systems Truewire
  • SRC Cash Flow Analyzer Pro
  • Scheduling software
  • Showing Suite HomeFeedback
  • Showing Suite HomeFollowup
  • Showing Suite Showing Calendar
  • Showing Suite real estate software
  • Social media sites
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Tax software
  • Telluride Software Classic Trak-It
  • The IPIX Real Estate Wizard hometour360 Wizard
  • TimeValue software
  • TopProducer
  • Topaz Software Symplifi (CRM feature)
  • Topaz Software Symplifi (business analysis feature)
  • Web page creation and editing software
  • Web-administered databases
  • Wheatworks Real Estate Calculator Suite
  • Xactware Xactimate
  • Yardi Systems Yardi Enterprise
  • eGrabber ListGrabber
  • iKorb Real Estate

Tools & Equipment (9)

  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser printers
  • Measuring wheels
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Real Estate Financial Services

Zone 3
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