Six Soft Skills for Real Estate Success (2024)

Successful people typically possess an expertise in their field that few can match. Real estate leaders, for example, may know the intricacies of project financing, how to estimate construction costs with accuracy, which building codes apply, contract writing do’s and don’ts, and much more.

That knowledge is certainly vital, but it has little worth if an individual can’t close a sale or work with key partners to form deals that are otherwise unattainable. That’s why having the right soft skills plays a critical role in being a leader in today’s real estate industry.

Soft skills1 are as almost as important as hard skills. In fact, they often define success more than expertise does. It’s one thing for a real estate investor to know the market well enough to deduce that a specific parcel of land is an ideal target because of foot traffic, location, cost, and zoning. But no deal occurs without negotiation and communication. Here are six soft skills real estate professionals need, including the ability to negotiate and communicate.

Communication

Communication may be the most important soft skill of them all. There are many different aspects to communication beyond the spoken word like being aware of your and other’s body language, understanding pain points involved, uncovering problems, and being respectful of people’s time and contributions. Investing in interpersonal and communication skills would be time well spent for ensuring a successful career in the real estate business. One technique is “active listening”.

Active Listening

Winston Churchill said “courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

A great communicator is not only articulate, but he also listens actively. Active listening requires undivided attention to truly understand what is being said. This does not necessarily mean listening to respond. Whether an employee or a business partner, someone who actively listens to what is being said can help resolve conflict and inspire new ideas.

Social Cues

Social cues can be helpful across different cultural backgrounds. When meeting an international client with a plan to partner on a land deal, a good real estate professional should be aware of social cues that are considered to be disrespectful and those that would be appreciated.

Negotiation

Napoleon Bonaparte may have conquered much of Europe and built a powerful empire. But as far as soft skills go, negotiation was not his strong suit. He approved the sale of the Louisiana territory2─which included land from 15 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces─for $15 million, roughly equivalent to $250 billion in today’s money. Little did he know that the U.S. was prepared to pay up to $10 million for New Orleans alone.

Major real estate negotiations are assisted by good communication based on reality of the current market and property condition. Further, the negotiator should be able to see the deal from both sides and make wise business decisions.

Patience

Patience is necessary in real estate because most deals take a while to close. And in the realm of commercial property and large housing developments, years may be involved. After all, the process of developing land requires zoning, permits, construction, and much more. Having patience to stay the course results in fewer mistakes and achieving optimum results.

Tactfulness

There are times when a deal doesn’t make sense anymore because of a changing market, new goals, rising costs, among other reasons. The best leaders in real estate cut their losses on a property they own that no longer make sense financially or let go of a property they have been seeking. This must be done as harmoniously as possible with all stakeholders involved. Too harsh, emotional, or sudden a withdrawal may burn bridges that interfere with future projects or networking relationships. Being tactful while being fair can help ease the negative impact and maintain peace.

Learn more about the soft skills important to succeed in the real estate industry from a faculty of experienced industry practitioners in Georgetown University’s online Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate program.

Sources

1https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hard-skills-vs-soft-skill_b_8341566
2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Purchase#Negotiation

Six Soft Skills for Real Estate Success (2024)

FAQs

Six Soft Skills for Real Estate Success? ›

Active listening skills: Top agents make it a point to listen to clients. They ask questions and paraphrase the response to ensure they understand their client's needs. Written communication skills: Preparing professional emails, contracts, marketing collateral, and website content is critical to success.

What are some soft skills in real estate? ›

Here are six soft skills real estate professionals need, including the ability to negotiate and communicate.
  • Communication. Communication may be the most important soft skill of them all. ...
  • Active Listening. ...
  • Social Cues. ...
  • Negotiation. ...
  • Patience. ...
  • Tactfulness.

What are skills needed to be successful realtor? ›

Active listening skills: Top agents make it a point to listen to clients. They ask questions and paraphrase the response to ensure they understand their client's needs. Written communication skills: Preparing professional emails, contracts, marketing collateral, and website content is critical to success.

Which key skill helps this professional succeed in real estate sales? ›

Successful real estate agents must be able to understand a buyer or seller's concerns, which is where empathy comes into the picture. Being able to empathize is one of the most effective skills to have in any sales position because it helps you identify with your client's needs.

What are hard skills in real estate? ›

Hard Skills Needed for Real Estate Success

Knowing how to accurately and thoroughly analyze a potential market for amenities, dynamics, future potential, and relative risk is a critical part of buying and managing successful rental properties.

What are the top three soft skills? ›

Here are 15 soft skills examples that are essential traits among employees:
  • Communication.
  • Teamwork.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Time management.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Decision-making.
  • Organizational.
  • Stress management.

What are the three most important things in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake. What is it about the location that makes it so vital to real estate investing?

How can I be more successful in real estate? ›

How to succeed as a real estate agent in 11 ways
  1. Improve communication skills. ...
  2. Partner with other local agents. ...
  3. Find a publicist. ...
  4. Host open-house events. ...
  5. Pitch a realty story to a news outlet. ...
  6. Use email marketing. ...
  7. Keep in contact with past clients. ...
  8. Create social media profiles.
Dec 19, 2022

What is the most important for real estate agent? ›

One of the most important characteristics of a good real estate agent is honesty. This means that if you want to become an agent who is known for being the best at their job, you must have the integrity to offer evidence of this claim. Being dishonest, unethical and immoral can tarnish a career fast, and for good.

What is the #1 skill a salesperson should have? ›

Effective Communication

Effective communication – both written and verbal – are fundamental skills that your salespeople need to persuade customers into buying your product or service. Your salespeople also need to understand that tone and manner of delivery also matter.

What personality type is a real estate agent? ›

Most real estate agents are associated with the ENTP personality. ENTP stands for extraversion, intuition, thinking, and perceiving.

What two skills must an effective salesperson possess? ›

  • Confidence. Not all prospective customers will want to buy what you're selling and to deal with these rejections you'll need a high level of confidence, positivity and tenacity. ...
  • Resilience. Reacting positively to these knock backs is essential. ...
  • Active listening. ...
  • Rapport building. ...
  • Entrepreneurial spirit. ...
  • Find out more.

What is the toughest thing for real estate agent? ›

The 5 Hardest Things About Being a Realtor
  • Uncertainty about real estate market. This is perhaps one of the biggest uncertainties realtors have to deal with on a daily basis. ...
  • Constantly being on the go. ...
  • Commission is by no means a guarantee. ...
  • Being underpaid for hard work. ...
  • Dealing with difficult clients.

What are hard skills vs soft skills? ›

What is the difference between hard skills and soft skills? Hard skills refer to the job-related knowledge and abilities that employees need to perform their job duties effectively. Soft skills, on the other hand, are the personal qualities that help employees really thrive in the workplace.

What is the most important skill of real estate investor? ›

Developing soft skills like effective verbal and written communication, active listening, negotiation, and tactfulness are all critical to the success of real estate investing.

What are 7 soft skills? ›

Soft skills are just as essential as hard skills for tech professionals. The right personality traits can help you excel at work. Highly valued soft skills include communication, time management, network building, empathy, critical thinking, being proactive and self-awareness.

What is my strongest soft skill? ›

The most important soft skills which employers value are: emotional intelligence, communication, problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, conflict resolution, flexibility, leadership and interpersonal skills.

What are 3 hard skills and 3 soft skills? ›

List of hard and soft skills
Hard skillsSoft skills
Programming skillsCritical thinking
Social Media MarketingCreative thinking
BookkeepingWork ethic
Spoken languagesCollaboration
49 more rows
Nov 27, 2021

What are high level soft skills? ›

Professionalism or work ethic. Oral and written communication. Teamwork and collaboration skills. Critical thinking or problem-solving skills.

What are advanced soft skills? ›

These skills fall into the following categories: Advanced communication and negotiation skills. Interpersonal skills and empathy. Leadership and management skills.

What are the 5 P's in real estate? ›

These five elements are Plan, Process, People, Property, and Profit.
  • Plan: The first P in real estate is Plan. ...
  • Process: The second P in real estate is Process. ...
  • People: The third P in real estate is People. ...
  • Property: The fourth P in real estate is Property. ...
  • Profit: The final P in real estate is Profit.

What are the three C's of real estate? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

What are the 4 pillars of real estate? ›

The 4 pillars of real estate include: cash flow, appreciation, amortization and leverage, and tax benefits.

How can I grow faster in real estate? ›

Keep these tips in mind as you take your real estate business to the next level.
  1. Be More Purposeful With Networking. ...
  2. Improve Time Management. ...
  3. Email Your Leads. ...
  4. Hire an Assistant. ...
  5. Let Go of Fear. ...
  6. Ask for Referrals. ...
  7. Don't Be Afraid of Social Media.

How can I be smart in real estate? ›

23 Smart Real Estate Investing Tips from Successful Investors
  1. Diversify your investments. ...
  2. Don't over-rehab. ...
  3. Don't over-leverage yourself. ...
  4. Look into single-family rentals. ...
  5. Do your homework before listening to paid advisors. ...
  6. Nip maintenance issues in the bud before they get bigger. ...
  7. Join a local networking group.
Oct 29, 2021

What is the most profitable position in real estate? ›

Our Top 7 Picks for the Best Paying Jobs in Real Estate
  • Real estate agent.
  • Real estate broker.
  • Real estate attorney.
  • Real estate developer.
  • Property manager.
  • Real estate consultant.
  • Mortgage loan officer.
Dec 30, 2022

Why do realtors do highest and best? ›

As the seller, you usually ask for the highest and best offer to eliminate negotiations and expedite the deal. It lets buyers know you're looking for only the most serious offers. Conversely, with a best and final offer, you're asking buyers to go above and beyond the competition to convince you to sell to them.

What are weaknesses in real estate? ›

Weaknesses of Real Estate Business. Difficult to Transfer Ownership. Not Liquid Asset. Huge Capital Required. Limited Supply.

What are 3 advantages of being a real estate agent? ›

Pros of Becoming a Real Estate Agent
  • #1. Income Potential. ...
  • #2. Flexible Schedule. ...
  • #3. You are a Business Owner. ...
  • #4. It's a People Business. ...
  • #5. You Help People Achieve Their Dreams. ...
  • #1. Success Requires Patience. ...
  • #2. You Experience Rejection. ...
  • #3. This Job is Competitive.
Nov 24, 2021

What are the 3 most important aspects of sales? ›

  • No. 1: Understand what the buyer wants. ...
  • No. 2: Sell in a buyer-responsive manner. ...
  • No. 3: Use psychology to engage the buyer. ...
  • No. 4: Establish trust with the buyer. ...
  • No. 5: Communicate succinctly. ...
  • No. 6: Act on what the customer is saying. ...
  • No. 7: Demonstrate subject matter expertise. ...
  • No. 8: Help (as opposed to close) prospects.

What are the top 3 things a salesperson should not possess? ›

You're unable to ask the right questions. You have a sense of entitlement for being so good at what you do. Everyone is a prospect. You lack genuine social empathy.

What are the seven characteristics of real estate? ›

Real estate has seven specific characteristics related to its economic impact or physical nature. They are scarcity, improvements, location, investment permanence, uniqueness, immobility, and Indestructibility. A real estate property can be classified into residential, commercial, industrial, or land.

Can an introvert be a good realtor? ›

You might ask whether introverts make good real estate agents? Of course, they can. There is this common misconception that introverts make incapable real estate agents. This myth can be attributed, in part, to a misunderstanding of what it really means to have an introverted or extroverted personality.

What personality type is most authentic? ›

If we dive a little deeper, we learn that authenticity is probably best associated with introverted (I) perceiving (P) types (i.e., “IPs”)—INFP, INTP, ISFP, ISTP—all of who use either Introverted Feeling (Fi) or Introverted Thinking (Ti) as their preferred function.

What is the greatest strength of a salesperson? ›

40 strengths of a salesperson
  1. Organizational abilities. A sales manager should have the organizational skills to manage various responsibilities and objectives effectively. ...
  2. Business communication. ...
  3. Motivation. ...
  4. Confidence. ...
  5. Adaptability. ...
  6. Reacting to objections. ...
  7. Presentation skills. ...
  8. Negotiation abilities.
Feb 27, 2023

What are the four qualities that make a good salesperson? ›

So if you're looking to up your sales game, read on!
  • Charisma. Let's start with the most obvious quality: charisma. ...
  • Persistence. Most successful salespeople know how to take rejection and keep going. ...
  • Drive. ...
  • Passion. ...
  • Good Listening Skills. ...
  • Empathy. ...
  • Problem-Solving Skills. ...
  • Knowledge.
Aug 4, 2022

What is your greatest weakness as a salesperson? ›

Some other examples of minor weaknesses you might discuss as a sales professional include being:
  • Self-critical.
  • Competitive.
  • Overly focused.
  • Too detail-oriented.
Mar 10, 2023

What is the number one killer of deals in the real estate industry? ›

Experienced real estate professionals know there are hundreds of ways a deal can fall apart, from credit and financing problems to appraisals to just plain cold feet. But certainly, one of the more common deal killers is the home inspection.

What not to say to a real estate agent? ›

Contents
  • You Won't Settle for a Lower Price.
  • Only Bring Me Serious Offers.
  • Don't Show My Home Unless I'm Available.
  • You Have All the Time in the World to Sell.
  • You are Selling the Home Because of a Divorce.
  • You Have to Sell Because of Financial Problems.
  • You Are Moving Because of a Serious Illness.
Feb 10, 2021

Why is real estate so stressful? ›

Real estate can be a challenging career. When you work as a real estate agent, you know that the struggles are real. Aside from the stress involved in buying and selling a home, they also have to deal with the uncertainty of their income and the rising costs of living.

What are soft skills examples? ›

“Top soft skills are teamwork, attention to detail, time management, organization, verbal and written communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability/flexibility, problem-solving/conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills …

How can I improve my soft skills? ›

Improve your communication
  1. join a sports team or creative arts club.
  2. volunteer somewhere you will talk to the public.
  3. practice making phone or video calls.
  4. take an online course, like on how to give work presentations.

Why are soft skills important for success? ›

Soft skills are personal attributes that influence how well you can work or interact with others. These skills make it easier to form relationships with people, create trust and dependability, and lead teams.

What are key skills for real estate? ›

Here are six soft skills real estate professionals need, including the ability to negotiate and communicate.
  • Communication. Communication may be the most important soft skill of them all. ...
  • Active Listening. ...
  • Social Cues. ...
  • Negotiation. ...
  • Patience. ...
  • Tactfulness.

What are the 7 qualities a good investor must possess? ›

Below are seven qualities of great property investors:
  • Good money management skills. ...
  • Good analytical skills. ...
  • Laser focus. ...
  • The ability to develop a solid network. ...
  • Being a good negotiator. ...
  • Long-term thinking. ...
  • Knowing how to be patient. ...
  • 5 Tips For Launching a Business While Keeping Your Day Job.
May 26, 2022

What are 3 ways real estate investors make money? ›

Let's dive in and see how you, too, can become a lucrative real estate investor.
  • Leverage Appreciating Value. Most real estate appreciates over time. ...
  • Buy And Hold Real Estate For Rent. ...
  • Flip A House. ...
  • Purchase Turnkey Properties. ...
  • Invest In Real Estate. ...
  • Make The Most Of Inflation. ...
  • Refinance Your Mortgage.
Mar 31, 2023

What are four soft skills? ›

“Top soft skills are teamwork, attention to detail, time management, organization, verbal and written communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability/flexibility, problem-solving/conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills …

How do you list real estate skills on a resume? ›

Key Skills
  1. Buyer & Seller Needs Assessment.
  2. Client Networking.
  3. Contract Negotiations.
  4. Customer Relations & Service.
  5. Lead Generation.
  6. Property Appraisal.
  7. Real Estate Market Analysis.
  8. Sales & Marketing.
Apr 26, 2023

What is the most desirable soft skill? ›

Companies have identified the following competencies as key to the success of young workers in the 21st century workplace.
  • Networking. ...
  • Enthusiasm. ...
  • Professionalism. ...
  • Communication Skills. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. ...
  • Resources.

What is the top soft skill? ›

The 10 most desired soft skills in the industry can vary depending on the specific job or industry. However, they generally include communication skills, teamwork, leadership, time management, adaptability, problem-solving, critical thinking, work ethic, creativity and emotional intelligence.

What are the soft skills for success? ›

These skills include critical thinking/problem solving, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, teamwork/collaboration, and adaptability/flexibility.

What are the 4 core skills? ›

These skills are Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. In the context of first-language acquisition, the four skills are most often acquired in the order of listening first, then speaking, then possibly reading and writing. For this reason, these capabilities are often called LSRW skills.

What are 3 characteristics of soft skills? ›

Soft skills can also be thought of as people skills. These can include good communication and interpersonal skills, leadership, problem solving, your work ethic, time management, and teamwork. These are characteristics that can be carried over to any position.

How do you stand out as a real estate agent? ›

Making a unique presence in your community with events, relevant virtual resources, and consistently great photography on your listings can make you really stand out as a real estate agent. Be sure to highlight unique features of your listings to curate experiences for your ideal buyers.

What is a good real estate resume? ›

Your real estate agent resume should include the following key elements: contact information, previous work experience, skills, and, finally, education and certifications. Make sure these are clearly labeled and easy to find.

What are the keywords for real estate agent resume? ›

The most common skills and keywords we found on Real Estate resumes and job postings were Real Estate, Real Estate Transactions, Negotiation, Sales, Investment Properties, Customer Service, Residential Real Estate and Listings.

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