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Real Estate Agents


At a Glance

  • Help clients buy or sell property
  • Constantly interact with buyers, sellers, and other agents
  • May work evenings and weekends
  • Formal training takes between 30 and 90 hours
  • Many have a bachelor's degree
  • Have a license
  • Are paid on commission

Career summary

Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, or lease land or property.

#No alternate titles CJ

Real estate agents represent property owners when they sell their homes or land. These agents inspect properties before they agree to sell them. In order for real estate agents to have properties to sell, they must find people who are ready to sell. Agents may call or write letters to property owners to determine if they want to sell their property.

To determine a property's market price, agents compare the property with similar properties that have been sold recently. They may make suggestions to property owners about improvements they can make to increase the value of their property. Then agents take pictures of properties and write short descriptions of the land or buildings. They advertise the property listings online, in newspapers, and real estate booklets.

Agents frequently hold open houses, when the public can tour homes for sale. Agents talk to prospective buyers and answer their questions about the property. When buyers make offers on property, agents listen to the offers and discuss them with sellers. They may accept or reject offers outright. They often negotiate with buyers to get a better sale price for their clients.

Real estate agents also represent property buyers. Before showing properties to potential buyers, agents talk to buyers about the type of properties they would like and can afford. For example, they ask buyers how many rooms they want and what part of town they want to live in. Based on this information, agents search for listings of properties that buyers may like.

Next, agents and buyers visit a number of properties to find one the buyers like. When buyers choose a property, agents explain the steps of the buying process. They help clients fill out the paperwork to make a formal offer. They collect a deposit from clients toward the price of the property. Agents present the offer to the sellers' agent. They negotiate the price of the property with the sellers, following their clients' instructions.

When the offer is accepted, a contract is signed. Agents must see that any special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, they make sure all repairs are made before their clients move in.

Related careers

This career is part of the Marketing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to real estate agents.

Common work activities

Real estate agents perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, real estate agents:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Real estate agents frequently:

It is important for real estate agents to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for real estate agents to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Real estate agents need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Use math and science

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with people

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a real estate agent, you typically need to:

Education after high school

Most states require real estate agents to complete a formal training program. These programs cover real estate transactions and laws. Programs are between 30 and 90 hours. Many vocational schools, colleges, and universities offer this program.

Most real estate firms offer formal training programs. Some local real estate associations offer courses about the basic and legal aspects of real estate.

Although it is not required, most real estate agents have some college education. Many agents have a bachelor's degree. Several majors are good preparation for this occupation. Some of the best are real estate, business management, finance, and marketing.

Work experience

Many agents transfer from other jobs to real estate sales. Work experience in sales or dealing with people is good preparation for this occupation.

On-the-job training

New agents often work with experienced agents or brokers to learn how to show properties and answer clients' questions. As a new agent you also learn how to close sales and write sales contracts. You might receive training for up to one year.

After training, agents often take seminars on improving their sales.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Many real estate agents are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

When hiring beginning agents, employers prefer applicants who have a bachelor's degree. However, personality traits are just as important as academic background. Brokers look for agents who are pleasant, honest, and have a neat appearance. Knowledge of the local area is an asset.

When hiring experienced agents, employers require them to have their license. They also analyze agents' sales history.

Employers look for applicants who have tact and excellent people skills. They also look for applicants who are organized, detail-oriented, and have a good memory for names and places.

Tips

Experience in accounting or banking is helpful. College-level course work in sales, architectural drawing, business law, economics, public speaking, and real estate is also helpful. Interview real estate agents and brokers to learn what the job is like. It is important to consider the impacts this type of work may have on family members due to irregular work hours and pay.

Costs to workers

Workers must have a car and extra liability insurance, and may have to join a professional association. Additional costs may include cell phone service, Internet access, listing services, use of an office, support staff, and office equipment. They may also be expected to have business attire.

Licensing/certification

Real estate sales agents must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing as real estate brokers. Requirements include:

Agents must take 30-clock hours of continuing education courses in real estate to renew their license every two years. Fingerprints must be submitted every six years. Additionally, registered sex offenders may be disqualified from holding a license.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Real Estate Section (external link)

PO Box 9021
Olympia, WA 98507-9015
360.664.6488

#Added crinimal history questions, rest same 3/19/19 cj. 2/11/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Real estate sales agents (SOC 41-9022)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $15.15 $17.90 $26.27 $37.76 $54.54
Monthly $2,625 $3,102 $4,553 $6,544 $9,452
Yearly $31,520 $37,230 $54,630 $78,550 $113,430
    Bellingham Hourly $14.83 $17.13 $21.11 $26.28 $40.10
Monthly $2,570 $2,969 $3,658 $4,554 $6,949
Yearly $30,839 $35,618 $43,913 $54,661 $83,401
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $16.65 $18.25 $26.51 $43.31 $50.51
Monthly $2,885 $3,163 $4,594 $7,506 $8,753
Yearly $34,647 $37,960 $55,146 $90,076 $105,060
    Kennewick-Richland Hourly $12.38 $13.90 $23.21 $35.12 $40.49
Monthly $2,145 $2,409 $4,022 $6,086 $7,017
Yearly $25,759 $28,900 $48,264 $73,064 $84,218
    Longview Hourly $12.46 $13.28 $14.70 $18.37 $33.58
Monthly $2,159 $2,301 $2,548 $3,184 $5,819
Yearly $25,916 $27,613 $30,591 $38,203 $69,845
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes Hourly $16.43 $18.85 $26.54 $31.84 $36.73
Monthly $2,847 $3,267 $4,599 $5,518 $6,365
Yearly $34,167 $39,204 $55,195 $66,227 $76,411
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $15.95 $17.73 $24.88 $35.13 $38.81
Monthly $2,764 $3,073 $4,312 $6,088 $6,726
Yearly $33,182 $36,863 $51,744 $73,078 $80,726
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $16.09 $18.78 $29.28 $40.18 $64.11
Monthly $2,788 $3,255 $5,074 $6,963 $11,110
Yearly $33,464 $39,063 $60,917 $83,565 $133,352
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $13.51 $15.80 $21.60 $30.98 $51.39
Monthly $2,341 $2,738 $3,743 $5,369 $8,906
Yearly $28,088 $32,862 $44,925 $64,432 $106,881
    Vancouver Hourly $12.97 $14.66 $20.86 $29.52 $45.11
Monthly $2,248 $2,541 $3,615 $5,116 $7,818
Yearly $26,972 $30,507 $43,400 $61,398 $93,825
    Walla Walla Hourly $15.98 $28.13 $39.49 $47.32 $56.27
Monthly $2,769 $4,875 $6,844 $8,201 $9,752
Yearly $33,247 $58,496 $82,134 $98,416 $117,037
    Wenatchee Hourly $31.82 $34.24 $36.55 $39.16 $40.79
Monthly $5,514 $5,934 $6,334 $6,786 $7,069
Yearly $66,198 $71,217 $76,023 $81,456 $84,830
    Yakima Hourly $15.96 $18.24 $22.67 $26.02 $36.93
Monthly $2,766 $3,161 $3,929 $4,509 $6,400
Yearly $33,212 $37,938 $47,141 $54,128 $76,810
United States Hourly $11.85 $15.87 $23.41 $35.83 $54.14
Monthly $2,054 $2,750 $4,057 $6,209 $9,382
Yearly $24,650 $33,020 $48,690 $74,530 $112,610

Pay varies with the type and location of the property and the agent's abilities. Real estate agents earn commissions on sales rather than a salary. Their commissions range from six to ten percent of the property price. Real estate agents are not paid until after the sale closes. Closing a sale can take several months after the seller accepts the buyer's offer. For that reason, beginning real estate agents need enough money to support themselves for at least six months.

Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. The broker and the agent in the firm who list the property share part of the commission. In addition, the broker and the agent in the firm who sell the property receive part of the commission. An agent's share varies from firm to firm. In general, it is about half of the amount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property make a higher commission.

Since most real estate agents are self-employed, they do not receive benefits such as health insurance and a retirement plan. They must provide these benefits for themselves.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 23,827 14.3% 16.1% 3,025
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 228 10.1% 13.4% 26
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 515 11.3% 8.6% 60
    Benton and Franklin Counties 433 5.8% 15.0% 45
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 618 5.2% 11.9% 63
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 1,853 17.4% 15.2% 251
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 1,017 7.0% 14.1% 109
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 778 15.8% 14.6% 102
    King County 12,417 15.9% 19.6% 1,630
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 306 10.5% 13.8% 35
    Pierce County 2,616 16.3% 15.2% 346
    Snohomish County 2,002 10.4% 12.4% 232
    Spokane County 1,262 14.8% 13.9% 161
United States 369,200 6.9% 5.2% 38,900

National employment

About 56% of real estate agents are self-employed.

Major employers:

National outlook

Growth in this occupation will be about as fast as average. Many online sites and mobile apps help people view information about homes that are for sale however, growth in population and mobility will contribute to the need for agents as people look for larger homes or need to move due to a job relocation.

Job openings will occur each year as people leave this occupation. Real estate is a competitive industry. Job prospects are best for those with experience and a strong background in sales. Strong social and business ties in the community are also helpful.

Other resources

Institute of Real Estate Management (external link)
430 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
800.837.0706
National Association of Realtors (external link)
430 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
800.874.6500
312.329.8200
Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies (external link)
424 Gould Hall
Box 355740
Seattle, WA 98195-5740
206.616.5335
Washington Association of Realtors (external link)
PO Box 719
Olympia, WA 98507-0719
800.562.6024
360.943.3100
Women's Council of Realtors (external link)
430 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
800.245.8512

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Strong Interest Inventory

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem