Career guide: how to become a buyers agent

This is sponsored content for Buyer's Agent Institute.

If you want to work in the real estate industry, becoming a buyer's agent can be one of your options. A buyer's agent is different from a real estate agent. Basically, a buyer's agent specialises in working with buyers while real estate agents may work with the vendor.

What makes buyers' agents different is that they help their clients navigate every aspect of the home buying process, for instance, picking the best mortgage companies and finding homes.

If you're interested in knowing how to become a buyer agent, below are some of the things you should keep in mind:

1. Do your homework

The requirements to be a buyer's agent are different from being a real estate agent. So, the first thing that you should do is research. Understand the role of a buyer's agent and how you can acquire the right licensing and training requirements. The internet can give you helpful information to get started. It's critical to always rely on the official website of buyer's agent associations.

2. License and training requirements

It's essential to be authorised or licensed before offering your real estate services as a buyer's agent. The training requirements for buyers' agents may vary from one state to another. To meet the minimal requirements, you should undertake a short course offered by the Real Estate Institute.

There are several courses you may choose from. Such courses are sometimes run by private institutions specialising in real estate programs and may be available at special rates. Depending on your preferences or budget, choose the one that'll benefit you most, especially if you want to achieve specific goals in the future as a buyer's agent.

Once you're done with your chosen course, you're now eligible to get a license. Often, you need to pass an exam to obtain the permit. So, make sure to study hard and pass the exam to acquire your license.

In addition to that, if you're planning to work interstate, you need to get a license from every state you want to provide your services. The reason behind it is that every state has unique licensing requirements and laws regarding property transactions. However, agents may use their prior qualifications to be granted such licenses.

Generally, there are two types of available licenses for aspiring buyers' agents. One is for the agency's employees, and the other is a full license, which is for agency principles and senior employees. If you're planning to run your agency, you need a full license and an agency license.

If you want to know more about your state's licensing requirements for buyers' agents, it's best to consult an association of real estate buyers' agents in your location.

3. Required skills

One of the skills you need to be a buyer's agent is people skills. Your daily work as a buyer's agent is a navigation of competing emotions and motivations and dealing with various personalities. To be an active buyer's agent, you shouldn't be an expert just in terms of properties, but also you must be well-versed in the psyche. Remember, everything you do with real estate is associated with psychology. The more you understand various people, the more effective you'll be in closing deals.

4. Knowledge

To become a buyer's agent, you must be equipped with knowledge about the latest real estate market. It's because one of the duties of a buyers agent is to educate their clients. Buyers agents have to inform clients about the entire process of home buying.

More often than not, buyers' agents have to prepare information with booklets and brochures covering many things that homebuyers should know for a successful sales transaction. Other real estate agents purchase educational materials from real estate boards to share with clients. At the same time, some go the extra mile and make customised education content for their clients.

Other than the trends in the real estate industry, a buyer's agent must also know some online marketing techniques. Several homebuyers contact their agents over the internet, and some successful agents get most of their business online. Due to this, being tech-savvy is essential to being a buyer's agent. You should know how to respond to emails or inquiries posted on your website, blog, or social media accounts. Having tools like apps and smart devices may also help you handle communication online in an efficient manner.

Conclusion

Becoming a buyer's agent may seem an easy task, but once you get started, you might find it challenging, especially if it's your first time working in the real estate industry. However, if you have the right qualifications, credentials, and skills, you can be assured that you'll become a buyer's agent in no time. Just make sure to check what your potential employer requires from a buyer's agent and do your best to be qualified.

This is sponsored content for Buyer's Agent Institute.