"Welcome to real estate—where the coffee is strong, the hours are long, and the 'Do you want fries with that?' questions become 'Do you want to make an offer on this house?'"
Becoming a licensed real estate agent is an exciting achievement, but let’s be real—the first 90 days can make you feel like a whirlwind of learning, growing, and occasional panic. You’ve got the knowledge, but reality hits as you generate leads, handle clients, and build your career.
But don’t you worry when we are here!
So, grab your coffee, and let’s explore what the first 90 days look like for you as a new real estate agent!
Weeks 1-2: Initial Challenges and Expectations
1. Challenge: Real Estate is a 9-5 job
Many new agents expect to have much free time, but the reality is far different. Success in real estate demands long, flexible hours.
Solution: Prepare for long working days and focus on activities to build your business, such as prospecting and marketing. Early on, prioritize your career over free time.
2. Challenge: Expecting Instant Wealth
The media often immediately portrays real estate agents as wealthy and successful. New agents expect to make money quickly but find that the process takes time.
Solution: Set realistic financial expectations and understand that real estate is a long-term investment in your career. Budget for the first few months, knowing income won’t be immediate.
3. Challenge: All Commission Belongs to You
Many new agents believe the commission is their full take-home pay, but they often forget about brokerage fees, marketing, taxes, and other expenses.
Solution: Understand that real estate is a business, not just commission-based pay. Budget for your business expenses and ensure profitability. Focus on keeping overheads low while delivering great service.
4. Challenge: Expecting People to Start Calling You Right Away
Setting up a website and social media profiles doesn’t automatically generate business. New agents often expect calls to roll in, but must proactively seek clients.
Solution: Dedicate time to prospecting and building relationships. Reach out to for-sale-by-owners, door-knock, host open houses, and network aggressively to generate leads.
5. Challenge: Facing Rejection
Real estate involves a lot of rejection. Not every lead will convert, and many potential clients will say “no.”
Solution: Develop resilience to rejection. Focus on effort rather than the outcome, and keep prospecting even when you face “no’s.” Rejection is an opportunity to learn and refine your approach.
6. Challenge: Balancing People Skills, Sales, and Emotions
Real estate is more than transactions—it's about understanding clients, their emotions, and navigating stressful decisions.
Solution: Invest in studying sales techniques, psychology, and people skills. Real estate transactions are emotional, so guiding clients through these feelings is key to success.
Weeks 3-4: Gaining Momentum and Overcoming Early Hurdles
7. Challenge: Having Patience
New agents often expect quick results, but it typically takes 3-5 years to see significant success.
Solution: Stay consistent and focus on long-term goals. Understand that your effort today will pay off after consistent work, and don’t expect instant returns.
8. Challenge: Understanding Market Cycles and Seasonality
Real estate markets have slow months, especially in winter and during holidays. Many new agents struggle during these slow times.
Solution: Prepare financially for the slower months. Use these periods to refine your skills, follow up with leads, and set up marketing campaigns for the next busy season.
9. Challenge: Preparing for the Slowest Months in Real Estate
The months from December to February can be particularly slow, making it harder to close deals.
Solution: Plan for slower periods by saving money and using this time to strengthen your market knowledge and follow up with existing leads.
10. Challenge: Competing with Experienced Agents
New agents often face stiff competition from seasoned agents with established networks and reputations.
Solution: Build your unique value proposition. Focus on offering exceptional service and becoming an expert in a niche, such as local knowledge or client care.
11. Challenge: Understanding the Difference Between Real Estate Agent and Realtor
Many new agents confuse "real estate agent" and "Realtor." Realtors are members of NAR and adhere to its ethical guidelines.
Solution: Understand the distinction and consider joining NAR to gain access to a network of professionals and more resources.
12. Challenge: Managing Multiple Clients and Listings
As your business grows, managing multiple clients and listings can quickly overwhelm you.
Solution: Stay organized by using CRMs, creating task lists, and scheduling time for each client. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Weeks 5-6: Refining Skills and Building a Foundation for Success
13. Challenge: Becoming a Local Expert
You’ll be expected to have deep knowledge of the local market, from neighborhoods to schools and pricing trends.
Solution: Spend time learning about your area. Visit neighborhoods, attend community events, and network with local businesses to enhance your local expertise.
14. Challenge: Understanding Local Real Estate Law
The legalities of real estate, such as contracts, disclosures, and regulatory rules, can be complex for new agents.
Solution: Familiarize yourself with key real estate laws and regulations. Consult with your broker or legal expert when in doubt to ensure compliance.
15. Challenge: Managing High Costs of Business
Real estate agents often face significant business expenses, including marketing, office supplies, and transaction costs.
Solution: Track your expenses carefully, plan your budget, and avoid overspending on unnecessary items. Focus on investments that offer clear returns.
16. Challenge: Managing Client Expectations
Buyers and sellers often have unrealistic expectations about property prices or timelines.
Solution: Educate your clients early about what’s achievable in the market. Set realistic expectations regarding timelines, pricing, and market trends.
17. Challenge: Time Management with Multiple Clients
As your client base grows, managing multiple clients, transactions, and deadlines can become overwhelming.
Solution: Use time management tools like scheduling apps and CRM systems. Prioritize high-impact tasks and stay organized to meet deadlines effectively.
18. Challenge: Mastering Negotiation Techniques
Negotiating on behalf of clients can be stressful, and every deal comes with unique challenges.
Solution: Practice your negotiation skills with mentors or colleagues. Focus on understanding each party’s needs and finding solutions that satisfy everyone.
Weeks 7-12: Scaling Your Business and Adjusting to Long-Term Growth
19. Challenge: Dealing with Time Sensitivity and Deadlines
Real estate transactions often have strict deadlines, and delays can jeopardize deals.
Solution: Develop strong organizational skills to track key dates and deadlines. Use task management tools to ensure tasks are completed on time and clients are informed.
20. Challenge: Juggling Business Management and Sales
Real estate is not just about selling homes; it’s about managing a business, including marketing, finances, and customer service.
Solution: Treat your real estate career as a business. Keep track of income, expenses, marketing ROI, and business development to ensure long-term growth.
21. Challenge: Generating Leads Consistently
Lead generation is one of the most challenging tasks in real estate and requires continuous effort.
Solution: Develop a robust lead generation strategy that includes online marketing, open houses, networking, and referrals. Keep improving your lead capture methods.
22. Challenge: Fear of Failure and Success
As you begin to succeed, you may fear both failure and the responsibility that comes with success.
Solution: Cultivate a growth mindset. Celebrate your achievements but stay humble. Treat challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
23. Challenge: Keeping Up with Real Estate Technology
Real estate marketing, client management, and transactions are technology-driven, and staying on top of the latest tools can be challenging.
Solution: Dedicate time to learn about new industry technologies. Stay updated with tools that can streamline your processes and help you stay competitive.
24. Challenge: Building a Referral Network
Creating a steady stream of referrals can be difficult for new agents without a strong client base.
Solution: Focus on providing excellent service and nurturing relationships with past clients. Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals after a successful deal.
Weeks 13-16: Establishing Long-Term Success
25. Challenge: Handling Stressful Transactions
Real estate transactions can be stressful, especially when deadlines approach or things go wrong.
Solution: Stay calm, communicate clearly with clients, and proactively solve any issues to keep the transaction moving smoothly.
26. Challenge: Budgeting for Slow Months
Since income is commission-based, agents can face financial stress during slower months.
Solution: Plan ahead by saving money during peak periods. Use slower months to focus on personal development and lead generation.
27. Challenge: Adapting to Market Changes
The real estate market can change rapidly due to economic factors, interest rates, and trends.
Solution: Stay flexible, monitor market conditions regularly, and adjust your strategies to align with current trends.
28. Challenge: Applying the 80/20 Rule
You’ll quickly realize that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts.
Solution: Focus your energy on high-impact activities like prospecting, client relations, and marketing. Delegate less valuable tasks to improve efficiency.
29. Challenge: Balancing Personal and Professional Life
Real estate is demanding, and it can be hard to separate work from personal time.
Solution: Set clear boundaries for your work hours. Prioritize self-care and family time to avoid burnout and maintain balance.
30. Challenge: Overcoming Financial Pressure
Commission-based income means there will be periods with no income coming in.
Solution: Build a financial safety net, save during busy months, and focus on consistent lead generation to ensure steady income.
31. Challenge: Overcoming the Hurdles After Your First Year
The first year can be tough, and growth may seem slow after that.
Solution: Stay focused on your long-term goals. Celebrate small victories, refine your strategies, and remain patient. Consistency will lead to long-term success.
Start Your Success Journey with BC School of Real Estate
The first 90 days as a real estate agent will test your resolve, but with persistence, every challenge becomes an opportunity to grow. Focus on building strong relationships, refining your skills, and setting realistic expectations. Stay adaptable to market changes, manage your time wisely, and always keep your long-term goals in sight. You can build a solid foundation for a successful career with the right mindset and support. Ready to leap? Enroll in BC School of Real Estate today!
