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Real Estate Jobs

Although the real estate industry and housing market has spent the past few years in a slump, the future is looking bright for real estate professionals who are equipped with skills and credentials to take advantage of a returning market. The job outlook projects real estate sales positions to increase by 11 percent through 2020, and 57 percent of people on the real estate field were self-employed through 2010, meaning the opportunity to set your schedule to fit your lifestyle. Like many sales-oriented jobs, having top-notch people skills and a desire to succeed will help you guide their clients through the home-buying process and succeed in real-estate sales. The best in the profession are approachable, patiently listen to their clients desires and needs, show flexibility in their schedule, demonstrate a passion for their profession, have an ability to work with others, show initiative by knowing the houses theyre selling, and have a strong familiarity for the amenities, crime rates, and school systems in the areas where theyre licensed. This includes knowing comparable home sales prices, construction plans for the area, potential zoning issues, and other possible items of interest for their clients. Individuals working in real estate jobs must have the ability to communicate with their clients and co-workers and have a strong knowledge of real estate contracts, laws, financing options, government programs, interest rates, and types of mortgages. Negotiation, marketing, and organizational skills are a must, as real estate agents and brokers must work with other agents and brokers to represent their clients needs and budget in the sales price of the home, promoting themselves through ads, fliers, and face-to-face meetings, and in preparing documents such as contracts, purchase agreements, and deeds. Real estate agents and brokers often can work from home or their cars, spending great amounts of time traveling to show properties, meeting perspective clients and scouting new areas. Real estate careers mostly revolve around the sales and rentals of residential and commercial real estate, however, there are related opportunities as home appraisers, home inspectors, and other real estate-related specialties. If you're thinking of pursuing a real estate career, start honing your skills in sales, communications, and of course, get schooled on what makes the real estate industry tick.