Certain skills can help you interact more effectively with partners and clients, setting you apart from the competition. Fostering these soft skills can help increase your chances of success as an agent.
With that in mind, here are five soft skills that you can develop to strengthen relationships and build a solid, long-lasting business.
1. Communication
Sharing knowledge and parsing information are both a huge part of a real estate agent’s job. To do this more effectively:
- Be affable but concise.
- Use language that’s easy to understand.
- Keep interested parties informed with consistent updates.
- Share information via the recipient’s preferred channels (e.g., email, text, call).
- Be honest and transparent — share successes and failures, good news and bad.
2. Listening
Communicating isn’t just about expressing yourself clearly. You also have to listen. But don’t just listen to respond: Listen to understand.
Give your clients and partners your full attention. Ask pertinent questions. Solicit feedback and glean valuable insight.
3. Body Language
People often communicate without saying a word. For example, fidgeting or failing to hold eye contact can signal disinterest. Pay special attention to nonverbal cues (including your own).
4. Patience
A day in the life of a real estate agent isn’t always easy. Not everything is within your control (e.g., appraisal turn times). And as negotiations drag on, stakeholders can get stressed. But learning to work calmly through sticky situations can help you successfully navigate the industry.
5. Empathy
Put yourself in the place of the other person. Try to understand why they feel the way they do. Hopefully, that understanding will help you conduct yourself with compassion.
For more ways to develop your skill set, reach out today.
