- Realtors spend a great deal of their workday meeting with potential buyers, potential sellers and in administrative and marketing meetings with other Realtors. The success of a Realtor's business depends on the quality of her networking with mortgage professionals, other Realtors and the community in general. Realtors must have excellent communication skills as they approach potential buyers and sellers. The paperwork involved with listing or selling a home must be effectively and clearly explained to the seller or the buyer. On a good day, Realtors also spend part of their time in closings with attorneys and homeowners, transferring keys and collecting a paycheck.
- Meeting with a potential seller, discussing the pros and cons of representation, and completing the necessary paperwork are only the beginning of listing a home for sale. The Realtor must also measure the home, note pertinent details such as types of flooring, number of fireplaces, ceiling height and any other interesting perk that may make the home attractive to potential buyers. Once the paperwork is in order, the Realtor enters all of the information into the multiple listing service, or MLS, so that other Realtors can see that the home is for sale. Listing the home and working with the seller until the home is sold can be an important part of a Realtor's workday. Preparing offers from the buyers or to the sellers are another welcome part of her workday. This paperwork is the prelude to a home closing and the Realtor being paid.
- Realtors do not earn money just by listing a home. The Realtor is paid at closing when the home is sold. Another part of a Realtor's workday includes marketing the homes he has listed. Online websites, local magazines and caravans with other Realtors are some of the ways to market a home. Aside from the listing, Realtors will also market themselves to potential buyers and sellers. Maintaining a web presence and fielding phone calls requesting information on advertisements are ways a Realtor locates new business. Sometimes potential buyers will walk into the broker's office and if the Realtor is on call, they get the business. A cell phone is a close personal friend of most Realtors, who need to be accessible at all hours of the day and evening. Managing a Realtor's workday requires flexibility and stamina, combined with a cheerful, helpful attitude.
