If you’ve just started a business as a real estate agent, it’s tempting to dive right in to looking for leads! But before taking your first real estate clients, you’ll want to do a few things first. Don’t find yourself caught unprepared by new clients before you’ve had the chance to set up your business!

Attend the Recommended Training Sessions

Before looking for leads, attend some training sessions. Dalton Wade offers all the training material you could possibly want – and more. But only you can take the initiative to attend sessions, take notes, and commit knowledge to memory. 

As a member of the Dalton Wade team, you can access dozens of learning opportunities. We at Dalton Wade design our training sessions to help prepare you for long-term success. From general overviews of the real estate market to training on specific tools that are available to you, you’ll find answers to just about anything you’d want to know about!

Take Care of Your Certifications and Legal Documents

Right away, you’ll want to join your local real estate board. Dalton Wade will help you get started. Next, through your board, join the MLS and receive your National Association of Realtors (NAR) designation. Your local real estate board will also help you set up your electronic lockbox access. Finally, don’t forget to fill out a W9! Your paycheck depends on it, and as a business owner, it’s up to you to manage and maintain your own documents.

Marketing

One of the most commonly overlooked things to do before taking your first real estate clients is making your marketing plan. Take some time to establish an online presence. Set up your Dalton Wade website, as well as your social media channels. Make sure you have a plan for posting content, and decide on what to post and how often. 

As a business professional, you’ll need headshots to use for your online and print marketing materials, and you’ll also need business cards, real estate signs, and if you really want to impress your clients – name tags. These items take a bit of time to create, so plan ahead and give your business a bit of runway space. 

Finally, set up a professional-looking email account and a brief, well-branded voicemail message. If you haven’t cleaned out your voicemail box in a while, now is the time! The last thing you want is for a lead to try getting in touch, only to find your voicemail box full. 

Once these tasks are completed, you’ll be well on your way to starting a productive, long-lasting real estate business. As always, feel free to reach out to us at Join Dalton Wade for answers to all your questions about getting started as a real estate agent.