How to Find Your First Real Estate Client

So, you decided to become a real estate agent. You found the right office location and settled in, but you don’t know how to find your first real estate client. We won’t say that the hard part is over, and finding clients will be a piece of cake. On the contrary, we will tell you that your actual hard work begins just now. Now is the time to put all of your perseverance and dedication into being a successful agent. Without them, your chances of making it into this business are minimal. Therefore, prepare to spend many days researching, planning, organizing, and developing your communication skills. And remember that beginnings are difficult in any field of work. But, if being a real estate agent is your dream job, nothing can stop you from becoming the best agent there is. 

Do your research

It is usually a good idea to know what you are getting yourself into before you start working as an agent. There are many challenges that real estate agents face today that you should be aware of ahead of time. The real estate market is constantly changing and developing, and knowing how things work can spare you a lot of trouble in the future. For example, you need to know the current advertising trends, websites where to advertise, or real estate software you should use. Also, you need to constantly be up to date with the real estate laws and regulations. After you have done so, it will be much easier to see where and how you can find clients. 

Furthermore, examining your competition might tell you how to do certain things or what not to do to attract clients. Therefore, look at real state sites, check their reviews, and you will know what clients appreciate in an agent. You can also attend real estate conferences, events, and workshops. As we mentioned before, this field of work is constantly changing and developing, and being up to date is very important. 

Start with your family, friends, and community

People that are close to you and know that you are reliable and hardworking will always be eager to help you in your efforts to succeed. Those people are your family and friends. So, if you want to get your first real estate clients, tell your close ones that you are licensed and looking for buyers and sellers. They will be happy to spread the word and refer you to their social circles. 

In addition, get more involved in your community to find out what people’s needs are. For example, if you begin volunteering, people will notice that you are trustworthy and dedicated. Furthermore, people can build up their trust in you so much that they will seek your advice in major financial decisions, like the purchase or sale of a property. So, as long as you introduce yourself and the service you offer, being connected to your community can help you land your initial clients. 

Don’t set boundaries from the beginning

When you first start working as a real estate agent, do not decide who you will work with right away. You can work with sellers and buyers, just as well. If you set boundaries and decide to work with just one category, you might have a longer time to wait until you find your first real estate client. Instead, work with anything that comes first. After all, you will need to work with all of them if you want to figure out which one you prefer or work with best.

Additionally, you can also work with renters to increase the number of clients in your portfolio. People will always look for rentals, just as they are looking to buy and sell properties. Just ensure that you explore the neighborhoods in NYC so you know where your target audience is and find out how to reach them. Also, to be one step ahead, research the best neighborhoods in NYC for renters, just as you would research which are the best neighborhoods for families with children. If your first client happens to be a renter, you will know where to direct them.

Bonus tip: Working with renters can be productive in the long run. At some point, they might want to buy a property of their own, and you will be there to help them. 

Put yourself on the market

If you want to find your first real estate client fast, you need to make yourself visible, and there are multiple ways in which you can do that. 

Door knocking

This is the first thing new real estate agents did before the appearance of the internet, and it still works today. You essentially go door-to-door, asking property owners whether they are interested in selling their home or purchasing a new one. It is efficient because you get to meet the people in person, present yourself and hand them your card. 

Cold calling 

Like door-knocking, this allows you to chat with potential clients over the phone and introduce yourself. And as with door-knocking, its efficiency is based on the number of people you reach. The more people you call, the better your chances are of finding a client.

Using social media

This is an efficient way to contact your intended audience, and it is only a couple of clicks away. Make a professional page on all the social media platforms and start creating specific content. Share it with friends and family, and you will have more reach. Remember that a solid online presence might serve as a professional staging ground.

Creating a site 

Creating a website will help people get to know you and your work better. In addition, you can create a blog and share the articles on social media. But, ensure your website’s listings are done professionally, with well-written descriptions and quality pictures. Also, include a mail pop-up so clients can contact you with ease.

Contacting other agents 

Sometimes, agents might not list a property if it’s too far from their region of interest. That is where you come into play. For instance, you can offer to pay a commission for the leads they send you. You could obtain your first client this way, and the other agent will make some quick money. It’s a win-win situation.

Hosting events

An open house, for example, is a great way to meet potential clients. You can provide food and drinks at such events and make people want to stay longer so that you can interact. Also, you can make live videos to present properties or neighborhoods. Or, host webinars and talk about topics that might interest sellers or buyers. 

Try, try again

If you don’t find your first real estate client as soon as you hoped, don’t despair. Success can sometimes arrive later but with more value. Also, you can see it as a gauge to see if you have what it takes to be a real estate agent. If this is what you want to do in your life, you will be victorious. Be persistent, work hard, and results will come sooner or later.