Table of Contents
- The Strategy Needed to Be a Competitive Real Estate Agent
- 12 Skills Needed to Be a Competitive Real Estate Agent
- Stay Competitive With a Real Estate Virtual Assistant
- Trust AgentUp for the Skills to Keep You Competitive
The skills needed to be a real estate agent and remain competitive have shifted due to a slowing market and the recent NAR settlement.
To stay ahead of the curve and thrive in 2024, real estate agents need a diverse skillset that goes beyond listing and selling properties.
While the new market realities are still emerging, they will likely make agent services more competitive. Intelligent agents will ramp up their marketing and increase their networking reach.
In this article, we will discuss the top 12 skills real estate agents need to be successful in 2024. But before we discuss skills, let’s talk about strategy.
The Strategy Needed to Be a Competitive Real Estate Agent
With the new realities of a slowing market and likely industry changes, real estate agents will need to implement the following 3 strategies.
1. Carving a Niche – Building a Personal Brand
To stay competitive in emerging market trends, every agent must clearly define their services and expertise and how they differ from other agents and brokerages.
Leaning into a robust and personal brand identity will require the following:
- Developing your unique value proposition. What sets you apart from other agents?
- Building a solid online presence. Real estate marketing happens in a digital, interactive, online reality. Social media, email, and high-quality professional websites are a must.
- Networking and community involvement. All professional real estate activity is local. Engage your local community and build strategic partnerships with others in your area.
Don’t just be a real estate agent; be a local agent. Consider doing some of the following:
- Get involved in your local school system
- Consider being active in a local religious community
- Attend community events
- Support a local sports league or team
- Be an active presence in local online groups
Take this one step further and use 8 hacks on how to find home buyers in your local area.
Cultivating hyperlocal expertise positions you as a trusted advisor, allowing you to serve your clients better and achieve sustainable business growth.
2. Learning to Leverage Social Media
As we adjust to the emerging market realities in 2024, leveraging social media is a skill real estate agents need to succeed. Here’s why:
- Impressive outreach and opportunity for connecting with potential clients
- Social media marketing is often free or inexpensive
- You can market listings and agent services efficiently to diverse audiences
- Using social media shows your comfort with the latest technologies
- It provides direct communication with potential buyers and sellers
Therefore, ensure you have active, updated accounts on all the relevant platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
By fostering a strong social media presence, you’re not just promoting your listings but building trust and establishing yourself as a credible real estate professional. It’s a win-win for you and your clients!
3. Using the Latest Digital Marketing Tools
The last twenty years have seen the digital marketing revolution. The real estate market has also gone digital, and savvy agents embrace technology to win.
It’s not a secret that nearly all home buyers – NAR now says 100% – start their home search online. To stay ahead of the curve, you need a tech-powered approach.
Here are the primary tools in your tech toolbox:
The digital toolbox doesn’t stop there! Use the latest property flyers, floor plans, and custom websites to help sell your listings and agent services.
By embracing the latest real estate marketing tools, you demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead of the curve. So, power up your digital presence and dominate the real estate market!
Next, let’s dive deeper into the specific 12 skills needed to be a competitive real estate agent in 2024.
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Photos. Floor Plans. Virtual Staging. Home Tours. Listing Websites.
12 Skills Needed to Be a Competitive Real Estate Agent
Among the skills needed to be a real estate agent and remain competitive is the ability to use digital marketing tools. Here’s a closer look at 12 of the more powerful tools available.
1. Visual Marketing Foundations – Professional Photo Editing
Captivating listing photos is the visual foundation for all your marketing efforts. Therefore, every image used to sell a property should be professionally edited.
- 83% of buyers rely on photos: High-quality pictures are essential for grabbing attention and getting buyers through your door
- Sell faster with great photos: Homes with professional photography sell
- 32% quicker than those without
Professional photo editing can transform your photos from “good enough” to “wow!”
Here’s how:
- Goodbye, dark photos: Fix exposure and lighting for bright, inviting images
- Straighten up your act: Correct tilted lines and distorted perspectives
- Kiss blurry photos goodbye: Eliminate grain and noise for a crisp, sharp image
- Bring your lawn back to life: Enhance landscaping and add vibrant green grass
- Set the perfect scene: Replace dull skies with stunning twilights
You want every photo to look its best, which means having them professionally edited. Next, here’s a way to make your listing photos amazing – virtual staging.
2. A Skill a Real Estate Agent Needs to Succeed – Virtual Staging
In today’s competitive market, showcasing a property’s potential is critical. Enter virtual staging – a game-changer transforming empty rooms into enticing living spaces.
What is virtual staging? It’s using advanced photo editing software, that allows you to:
- Add trendy furniture and décor, helping buyers visualize how they can use the space
- Update outdated flooring, window treatments, and cabinets, creating a modern and inviting feel
- Decorate rooms in multiple styles to appeal to a broader range of buyers
- Remove unwanted items and personal touches, allowing buyers to envision their belongings in the space
Today’s buyers expect to see virtually staged homes. It helps them better grasp the potential and functionality of a space.
Virtual staging is a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to traditional staging. It’s perfect for refreshing vacant properties or showcasing hard-to-sell listings.
By leveraging virtual staging, you’ll present properties in their best light, attract more qualified buyers, and close deals faster.
AgentUp Virtual Staging Uploader Tutorial
To see how easy it is to get your images virtually staged, check out our virtual staging uploader tutorial:
Next, let’s examine another skill real estate agents need – knowing how to use virtual house tours.
3. Hold a 24-7 Open House – Virtual House Tours
Imagine showing off your listings 24/7 without ever leaving your office!
Virtual house tours created with 360-degree cameras are revolutionizing how buyers experience properties.
Let’s examine the benefits these interactive tours bring to any sales experience.
These tours aren’t just photos – they’re an experience. Viewers can virtually “walk through” the property, exploring every nook and cranny from any device. It’s like a permanent open house!
Expert real estate agents know that traditional photos have limitations. Virtual tours offer a more complete picture, allowing potential buyers to truly grasp the property’s space, flow, and layout.
Finally, virtual tours let buyers get a feel for what it would be like to live or work in the space. This deeper understanding can lead to a stronger emotional connection and, potentially, a faster sale.
Let’s move on to our fourth effective real estate agent skill – single property websites.
4. Hyper-Focused – Single Property Websites
Forget crowded listing platforms – single property websites are the new star of real estate marketing.
Here’s why they’re taking the industry by storm:
- Single property websites showcase your listing exclusively, ensuring it gets the spotlight it deserves
- Potential buyers won’t get sidetracked by other properties, allowing them to appreciate the unique features and benefits of yours fully
- Integrate captivating photos alongside high-quality video walk-throughs and interactive virtual tours
- Provide comprehensive descriptions and detailed information about the listing
- Additionally, these focused websites allow buyers to schedule showings or contact you directly
These websites are more than just listing showcases. They’re a platform to elevate your brand, showcase positive client reviews, and establish yourself as a top agent.
AgentUp Single Property Websites Uploader Tutorial
For more details, watch this video on how easy it is to build a single property website:
In a slowing and crowded market, single-property websites offer a powerful way to stand out.
5. Master the Power of Floor Plans
Potential buyers want to understand your home’s layout before they even step inside. Floor plans are the key!
- 64% of buyers seek clarity: Clear floor plans give buyers a complete understanding of the space, attracting serious interest.
- Sell faster: Homes with 3D floor plans spend an average of 50% less time on the market!
- Help buyers make informed decisions: 51% of buyers say floor plans were crucial in their decision-making process.
Showcase your home’s layout with floor plans and give buyers the confidence they need to make an offer.
It's Time To Level-Up Your
Real Estate Marketing
Capture more leads with virtual tours and single property websites.
6. Skills Needed to Be a Real Estate Agent – Using Video Tours
Walk-through video tours let buyers experience your property from the comfort of their couch.
- Easy access, big impact: Videos are filmed on smartphones (no fancy equipment needed) and typically run for 3-5 minutes
- See for yourself: Watch a room-by-room tour highlighting the home’s best features, from the inviting exterior to spacious closets
- Point out the positives: We’ll showcase unique details and draw attention to the property’s charm
Walk-through videos create a more immersive experience, attracting serious buyers ready to make an offer. Additionally, a video tour goes beyond static images, giving buyers a more realistic feel for your property.
7. Feature Drone Photography on Every Listing
Drone photography takes your listing to new heights, literally! Captivate buyers with dramatic visuals that showcase your home’s full potential.
- See the bigger picture: Aerial photos display your property’s location, surrounding area, and captivating landscapes.
- Highlight neighborhood gems: Showcase nearby attractions and amenities that add value to your home.
- Unique perspective: Drone photos provide a compelling birds-eye view, making your listing stand out.
- Backyard oasis revealed: Show off your pool, patio, or deck with stunning aerial imagery.
Statistics show homes with drone photos sell 68% faster! Get a head start and attract serious buyers.
8. Skills Needed to Be a Real Estate Agent – The Perfect Closing Gift
A custom house portrait is an artistic rendering of a home using watercolor, oils, or sketching. Working from a high-resolution photo of the property, an artist creates a flattering, accurate, and captivating portrait.
House portraits are typically eye-catching and beautiful; therefore, they are a powerful real estate marketing tool that can be used in the following ways:
- For tabletop displays at showings and open houses
- As part of listing photography to add an extra marketing boost
- The featured image in an email marketing campaign
- On social media and other online ad platforms
A unique house portrait will impress your clients and help them remember you for years to come. Start adding using them to your sales skills set.
AgentUp House Portraits Demo
In this video, you can see how easy it is to order a beautiful custom house portrait:
9. Maintain a Professional Website
Your professional business website is your digital headquarters. It attracts buyers, showcases listings, and establishes your brand as a leader.
- Become a content hub: Offer valuable content like blog posts, market updates, and neighborhood guides to keep visitors engaged and coming back for more
- Dominate search results: SEO optimization helps your website rank higher on search engines, driving organic traffic and attracting qualified buyers
- Convert visitors into leads: Capture leads with strategically placed contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, and calls to action
- Showcase your success stories: Positive testimonials and reviews build trust and credibility, influencing potential clients to choose you
Your anchor website is the central hub for all your online real estate efforts. Go ahead and create a website that converts interest into sales!
10. Don’t Underestimate Email Marketing
While social media gets most of the attention today, email marketing quietly remains a real estate powerhouse. Here’s how to use it to connect with potential buyers:
- Craft captivating subject lines: Grab attention from the start with clear, intriguing headlines that entice recipients to open your email
- Visually appealing content: Include high-quality photos, engaging graphics, and relevant links to keep your audience engaged
- Virtual tours & videos: Showcase your listings with walk-through videos or virtual tours embedded right in the email
- Drive traffic to your website: Link to your blog or single property website for in-depth information and build long-term interest
Plan at least 3 emails per campaign, spaced out to avoid overwhelming subscribers. Consistent, valuable content is key!
11. Skills Needed to Be a Real Estate Agent – Maintain a Zillow Profile
In any savvy marketing plan, overlooking Zillow is a mistake you can’t afford. Even if you’re not investing in Zillow’s paid advertising, maintaining a free profile on the platform is crucial for visibility.
With a staggering 188 million monthly viewers, Zillow offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with a vast audience.
Your Zillow profile showcases you as the sales agent, enabling you to showcase listings to a wide audience and engage with potential clients, boosting your chances of securing new buyers.
The cherry on top? Zillow profiles come at no cost.
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12. Start Integrating AI Programs
Over the past year, the market has witnessed the launch of numerous AI-driven applications and tools, a trend set to intensify in 2024.
Forward-thinking real estate professionals are already integrating these innovations into their practices.
In the realm of real estate sales, AI is being harnessed for various purposes, such as:
- Implementing automated pricing programs to improve accuracy
- Facilitating rapid and high-quality photo editing and virtual staging
- Crafting seamless virtual tours
- Assisting with marketing analytics and lead generation
Given their promise, AI tools for real estate merit careful consideration. For instance, the AgentUp AI Editing app lets you edit your real estate photos in less than 5 minutes. Simply, scan the QR code to download the app and get started editing your property photos to perfection!
Now, we have one more skill needed to be a real estate agent who can compete in the new market realities—how to work with a real estate virtual assistant.
Stay Competitive With a Real Estate Virtual Assistant
Learning and mastering the skills needed to be a real estate agent and thrive in the new market conditions takes time and energy.
Many agents feel buried under house showings, consultations, and endless property prep. It’s easy to get overwhelmed juggling all the demands of the business.
But there is a solution – hire a real estate virtual assistant.
Imagine being able to focus on what you do best – closing deals and exceeding client expectations. This is possible when you let a skilled professional handle your marketing efforts and help with other administrative tasks.
At AgentUp, we provide real estate agents with highly trained virtual assistants tailored explicitly for the industry.
Our virtual assistants aren’t just tech-savvy – they’re real estate savvy, too.
Moreover, we take the guesswork out of hiring. Schedule a free call today, and let us show you how easy it is to find the right assistant.
During our conversation, we’ll assess your needs and match you with a VA with the ideal educational background, skill set, and experience to maximize productivity.
Free yourself from administrative burdens and marketing headaches. Focus on what matters most – building relationships with clients and achieving your real estate goals.
Trust AgentUp for the Skills to Keep You Competitive
AgentUp offers a full array of influential real estate marketing tools and solutions. We have what you need to sell listings quickly and for higher prices.
Our marketing aids are AI-enhanced for premium quality. Our turnaround times are unbeaten. Consider the marketing advantages of the following AgentUp tools:
- Real estate photo editing
- Virtual staging
- Virtual tours
- Single property websites
- Custom House Portraits
So, take the next step toward using the tools you’ll need for the emerging market changes.
Sign up for a free AgentUp account and explore all our digital marketing solutions.
Reach out today. You’ll be glad you did.
Thanks for reading this article. We hope it helped you better understand the top skills real estate agents need to succeed in 2024 and beyond. If you enjoyed this post, take a look at these other related articles:
