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Career Details
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Career Details

41-9022.00 - Real Estate Sales Agents


Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
337,400
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
346,800
Estimate
Change in Employment
+9,400
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+2.8%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
  • Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
  • Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
  • Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
  • Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
  • Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
  • Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
  • Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
  • Coordinate appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
  • Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
  • Display commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties to clients and explain their features.
  • Arrange for title searches to determine whether clients have clear property titles.
  • Review plans for new construction with clients, enumerating and recommending available options and features.
  • Answer clients' questions regarding construction work, financing, maintenance, repairs, and appraisals.
  • Inspect condition of premises, and arrange for necessary maintenance or notify owners of maintenance needs.
  • Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property, advising them on the suitability and value of the homes they are visiting.
  • Advise sellers on how to make homes more appealing to potential buyers.
  • Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
  • Review property listings, trade journals, and relevant literature, and attend conventions, seminars, and staff and association meetings, to remain knowledgeable about real estate markets.
  • Contact property owners and advertise services to solicit property sales listings.
  • Develop networks of attorneys, mortgage lenders, and contractors to whom clients may be referred.
  • Visit properties to assess them before showing them to clients.
  • Contact previous clients for prospecting of referral business.
Supplemental
  • Arrange meetings between buyers and sellers when details of transactions need to be negotiated.
  • Evaluate mortgage options to help clients obtain financing at the best prevailing rates and terms.
  • Investigate clients' financial and credit status to determine eligibility for financing.
  • Contact utility companies for service hookups to clients' property.
  • Conduct seminars and training sessions for sales agents to improve sales techniques.
  • Appraise properties to determine loan values.
  • Solicit and compile listings of available rental properties.
  • Secure construction or purchase financing with own firm or mortgage company.
  • Rent or lease properties on behalf of clients.
  • Locate and appraise undeveloped areas for building sites, based on evaluations of area market conditions.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 97%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 94%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 English Language
  • 87%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Law and Government
  • 79%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Clerical
  • 75%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Administration and Management
  • 74%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 69%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Mathematics
  • 69%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Communications and Media
  • 68%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Building and Construction
  • 68%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 65%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Education and Training
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Psychology
  • 62%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 57%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Transportation
  • 54%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Telecommunications
  • 53%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Geography
  • 53%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
 Audio and visual equipment
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
 Computer printers
  • Laser printers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Microsoft Word Hard to Find Contracts
 Data management and query software
  • Agent Business Builder
  • Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer
  • DataBasix Technologies Lead Commander
  • eGrabber ListGrabber
  • Front Desk
  • iKorb Real Estate
  • Internet based MLS database software
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • National Association of Realtors Online Database
  • PrimaSoft PC Realtor Organizer Deluxe
  • RealtyStar Real Estate Assistant
  • Showing Suite
  • Showing Suite HomeFeedback
  • Showing Suite HomeFollowup
  • Topaz Software Symplifi (CRM feature)
  • TopProducer
  • Web-administered databases
  • YardiHOT
  • Yardi Systems Yardi Enterprise
 Business function specific software
  • CMA Stuffers
  • Corel WordPerfect
  • Document creation software
  • Google DriveHOT
  • Lucero System Office Management
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Newsletter production software
  • Power Real Estate Letters
  • ProForce Highlight Flyer Master
  • ProForce Ultimate Brochures
  • RealtyStar AgentOffice
  • Reveal Systems Truewire
  • RPIS Silent Flyer
  • Telluride Software Classic Trak-It
  • Topaz Software Symplifi (business analysis feature)
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Commercial and industrial development project cost analysis software
  • Financial calculators software
  • Fund accounting software
  • In-Hand Pocket APOD
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Landlord Software Pro Flipper
  • Loan application processing software
  • OWL Bookkeeping for Realtors
  • Real estate application contract transmission REACT software
  • Real estate investment analysis software
  • Real Pro
  • RealData Comparative Lease Analysis
  • SRC Cash Flow Analyzer Pro
  • Tax software
  • TimeValue software
  • Wheatworks Real Estate Calculator Suite
 Information exchange software
  • DeLorme Topo USA
  • Email software
  • FaceTime
  • FloodMaps
  • Geographic information system GIS softwareHOT
  • Greenbrier Graphics Deed Plotter
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Digital contract software
  • Easypano Tourweaver
  • FacebookHOT
  • Google DocsHOT
  • HUD-1 software
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Iseemedia Photovista Panorama
  • LinkedInHOT
  • Loom
  • MediaVue
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft FrontPage
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Panorama Technologies ModelWeaver
  • Panoweaver Panorama
  • Reality Star ProAGENT Power Series Presentations
  • Scheduling software
  • Showing Suite Showing Calendar
  • Social media sitesHOT
  • Spreadsheet software
  • The IPIX Real Estate Wizard hometour360 Wizard
  • Web page creation and editing software
 Educational or reference software
  • Garmin City Select
  • Navigation software
 Industry specific software
  • Home rating software
 Network applications software
  • Internet browser software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Mountain Empire Community College