

Congratulations! You've taken the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career in real estate. Becoming a realtor offers unlimited potential, but success doesn't happen overnight. Many new agents struggle in their first year because they don't have a clear plan.
This guide will walk you through the essential first steps, common mistakes to avoid, and practical strategies to help you thrive. Whether you aim to be a top producer or simply enjoy a flexible career, following these steps will set you up for long-term success.
Success Story: Sarah's Journey
Sarah just got her real estate license and was eager to start selling homes. However, she quickly realized that without a plan, she was struggling to find clients. After implementing the steps in this guide—setting up a business plan, leveraging social media, and networking—Sarah built a steady stream of clients within six months.
What You'll Learn:
This guide will provide a roadmap for new agents
Real estate is a business that requires strategy, persistence, and knowledge
Success won't come overnight, but with the right approach, you can build a thriving career
Follow these proven strategies to build your real estate empire

Do's
Write down your personal and financial goals
Create a vision board to visualize your success
Don'ts
Don't start real estate just because of 'easy money'—it takes time
Don't ignore your long-term career aspirations

Real Example: James
James became a realtor because he wanted financial freedom. When he faced his first few months with no sales, he looked back at his goals and reminded himself why he started. This kept him motivated to push forward.
Key Takeaways:
Knowing your purpose helps you stay focused
Set clear, measurable goals to track your progress
Real estate success takes time—stay committed
Congratulations! You've taken the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career in real estate. Becoming
a realtor offers unlimited potential, but success doesn't happen overnight. Many new agents struggle in their
first year because they don't have a clear plan.
This guide will walk you through the essential first steps, common mistakes to avoid, and practical strategies
to help you thrive. Whether you aim to be a top producer or simply enjoy a flexible career, following these
steps will set you up for long-term success.
Success Story: Sarah's Journey
Sarah just got her real estate license and was eager to start selling homes. However, she quickly realized that without a plan, she was struggling to find clients. After implementing the steps in this guide setting up a business plan, leveraging social media, and networking, Sarah built a steady stream of clients within six months.
What You'll Learn:
This guide will provide a roadmap for new agents
Real estate is a business that requires strategy, persistence, and knowledge
Success won't come overnight, but with the right approach, you can build a thriving career
Follow these proven strategies to build your real estate empire

Do's
Write down your personal and financial goals
Create a vision board to visualize your success
Don'ts
Don't start real estate just because of 'easy money'—it takes time
Don't ignore your long-term career aspirations
Real Example: James
James became a realtor because he wanted financial freedom. When he faced his first few months with no sales, he looked back at his goals and reminded himself why he started. This kept him motivated to push forward.
Key Takeaways:
Knowing your purpose helps you stay focused
Set clear, measurable goals to track your progress
Real estate success takes time—stay committed


Do's
Choose the right brokerage for training and support
Open a business bank account and track expenses
Don'ts
Don't neglect continuing education
Don't overspend on unnecessary marketing before you have income

Real Example: Lisa
Lisa joined a brokerage without researching its commission structure and training. She later switched to one that better supported new agents and saw her business grow quickly.
Key Takeaways:
Choosing the right brokerage is crucial for new agents
Set up proper financial systems from the start
Invest in training and mentorship

Do's
Set up professional social media accounts and a website
Post valuable content consistently
Don'ts
Don't mix personal and professional content
Don't ignore client reviews and testimonials

Real Example: Tom
Tom started posting local market updates on Instagram and Facebook. After a few months, he became the go-to realtor in his area.
Key Takeaways:
Social media and websites help attract potential clients
Posting valuable content builds credibility
Consistency is key to online success


Do's
Choose the right brokerage for training and support
Open a business bank account and track expenses
Don'ts
Don't neglect continuing education
Don't overspend on unnecessary marketing before you have income
Real Example: Lisa
Lisa joined a brokerage without researching its commission structure and training. She later switched to one that better supported new agents and saw her business grow quickly.
Key Takeaways:
Choosing the right brokerage is crucial for new agents
Set up proper financial systems from the start
Invest in training and mentorship

Do's
Set up professional social media accounts and a website
Post valuable content consistently
Don'ts
Don't mix personal and professional content
Don't ignore client reviews and testimonials
Real Example: Tom
Tom started posting local market updates on Instagram and Facebook. After a few months, he became the go-to realtor in his area.
Key Takeaways:
Social media and websites help attract potential clients
Posting valuable content builds credibility
Consistency is key to online success


Do's
Research property values and trends
Attend open houses and network with other agents
Don'ts
Don't mix personal and professional content
Don't ignore networking opportunities

Real Example: Jenny
Jenny studied her local market and knew when home prices were expected to rise. This helped her give valuable advice to clients.
Key Takeaways:
Knowledge of the market makes you a trusted advisor
Attend local events to stay informed
Understanding market trends gives you an edge

Do's
Schedule daily lead generation and follow-ups
Track your activities to measure progress
Don'ts
Don't treat real estate like a hobby
Don't waste time on unproductive tasks

Real Example: David
David blocked three hours daily for lead generation. Within a year, he built a pipeline of clients that kept his business growing.
Key Takeaways:
Consistency leads to long-term success
Scheduling your tasks increases productivity
A strong routine creates sustainable business growth

Do's
Reach out to family, friends, and acquaintances
Offer valuable information before asking for business
Don'ts
Don't be pushy
Don't underestimate the power of referrals

Real Example: Mark
Mark started sending monthly market updates to his contacts. Soon, he got referrals from people he hadn't spoken to in years.
Key Takeaways:
Your personal network can bring your first deals
Stay in touch with regular, valuable communication
Relationships lead to long-term business growth


Do's
Research property values and trends
Attend open houses and network with other agents
Don'ts
Don't mix personal and professional content
Don't ignore networking opportunities
Real Example: Jenny
Jenny studied her local market and knew when home prices were expected to rise. This helped her give valuable advice to clients.
Key Takeaways:
Knowledge of the market makes you a trusted advisor
Attend local events to stay informed
Understanding market trends gives you an edge

Do's
Schedule daily lead generation and follow-ups
Track your activities to measure progress
Don'ts
Don't treat real estate like a hobby
Don't waste time on unproductive tasks
Real Example: David
David blocked three hours daily for lead generation. Within a year, he built a pipeline of clients that kept his business growing.
Key Takeaways:
Consistency leads to long-term success
Scheduling your tasks increases productivity
A strong routine creates sustainable business growth



Do's
Reach out to family, friends, and acquaintances
Offer valuable information before asking for business
Don'ts
Don't be pushy
Don't underestimate the power of referrals
Real Example: Mark
Mark started sending monthly market updates to his contacts. Soon, he got referrals from people he hadn't spoken to in years.
Key Takeaways:
Your personal network can bring your first deals
Stay in touch with regular, valuable communication
Relationships lead to long-term business growth