Passing your real estate exam is an exciting milestone, but it’s only the beginning. The real challenge is learning how to become a successful real estate agent in 2025 and building a career that lasts. Pre-licensing courses teach you the basics to pass the exam, but they don’t prepare you for the real-world strategies top real estate agents use to win clients, close deals, and grow a thriving business. Whether you’re a brand-new agent wondering how to grow your real estate business or you’re ready to take your career to the next level, these 12 real estate agent tips will guide you through everything from choosing the right brokerage to mastering marketing, networking, and time management.
- 1. Choose the Right Brokerage for You
- 2. Find a Real Estate Mentor
- 3. Become an Expert in Your Local Market
- 4. Build Your Personal Brand and Create a Real Estate Marketing Plan
- 5. Be Available When Clients Need You
- 6. Create (and Stick to) a Real Estate Success Plan
- 7. Build a Networking and Referral System
- 8. Host Engaging Open Houses
- 9. Master Communication and Client Follow-Up
- 10. Efficient Time Management
- 11. Be Smart With Your Income
- 12. Leverage Real Estate Technology
- Putting These Real Estate Agent Tips into Action
1. Choose the Right Brokerage for You
After you pass your exam, the first step to becoming a successful real estate agent is joining a brokerage. The best brokerages for new agents offer more than just a license to hang. They provide training, mentorship, marketing tools, and lead generation opportunities to help you succeed from day one.
Take time to research brokerages in your area. Ask other agents about their experiences, explore online reviews, and schedule interviews with top contenders. Ask about their new agent support, real estate technology, and company culture to find a place where you can thrive.
The right fit will help you start strong, close more deals, and build a foundation for long-term real estate success.
2. Find a Real Estate Mentor
Once you’ve joined a brokerage, one of the smartest moves you can make as a new agent is finding a real estate mentor. A mentor provides hands-on guidance helping you navigate transactions, avoid costly mistakes, and build confidence in your first year.
Many brokerages also offer free coaching programs, which are an incredible resource for new agents. A coach can keep you accountable, help you set goals, and provide strategies to grow your business faster. While your broker is there to support you, don’t rely on them to fill the role of a mentor.
Having both a mentor and a coach gives you the perfect balance. You get practical, real-world guidance on transactions along with structured training and accountability to keep you focused. Building these relationships early in your career helps you learn faster and with more confidence, setting the foundation for long-term success.
3. Become an Expert in Your Local Market
One of the most effective successful real estate agent tips is to know your market inside and out. Buyers and sellers want to work with the agent who can tell them which neighborhoods are trending, what homes are really worth, and where the hidden gems are.
Study local listings, track pricing trends, and stay up to date on community developments, school districts, and new amenities. Attend open houses, network with other agents, and stay active in local organizations to expand your knowledge.
When clients see that you have the inside scoop, you become a trusted local expert, which builds trust, strengthens relationships, and leads to more business and referrals.
4. Build Your Personal Brand and Create a Real Estate Marketing Plan
In 2025, standing out as a real estate agent means having a strong personal brand and a marketing strategy that keeps you visible in your target market. Your personal brand should reflect your expertise, your values, and why clients should trust you.
Once you’ve defined your brand, put it to work through a real estate marketing plan. Use a mix of social media, email campaigns, open houses, and community events to build recognition. Share market updates, homebuying tips, and local real estate news so people see you as a trusted local expert — not just another salesperson.
Pro Tip: Use platforms like Showami to take on showings for other agents. Not only will you earn extra income, but you’ll also gain valuable real-world experience. While you’re at these showings, post engaging content on your social media. Sharing photos, videos, or insights on your page will highlight your market knowledge and help build credibility as a new agent.
5. Be Available When Clients Need You
One of the most valuable successful real estate agent tips is recognizing that this career isn’t a standard 9-5 job. The most successful agents know evenings and weekends are prime opportunities to connect with buyers and sellers.
Hosting open houses, arranging private showings, or making time for last-minute listing appointments during these peak hours shows clients you’re committed to achieving their goals and helps real estate agents grow their business through stronger client relationships.
These moments often leave a lasting impression, leading to valuable referrals and repeat business. In a competitive real estate market, this extra effort can be the difference between winning a client and losing them to another agent.
6. Create (and Stick to) a Real Estate Success Plan
A successful career in real estate needs more than ambition. It needs a clear plan for success and the discipline to hold yourself accountable. Your real estate success plan should outline your niche. Set measurable goals for lead generation, marketing, networking, skill-building, and client service.
Break big goals into manageable daily and weekly tasks. Set goals and develop a business plan that focuses on attracting new clients and maximizing your ROI. Be organized and create a marketing calendar to schedule calls, open houses, email blasts, and social media campaigns. Track your progress, review your results regularly, and adjust your plan to keep improving.
7. Build a Networking and Referral System
Referrals are some of the highest-quality leads you can get, and they come from building strong, lasting relationships. Every event you attend, conversation you have, and connection you make is a valuable networking opportunity to grow your real estate business.
Get involved in your community, join your local REALTOR® association, attend industry networking events, and maintain close contact with past clients. People refer real estate agents they know, like, and trust. Make it a priority to stay visible and engaged.
Pro Tip: Showami allows Platinum agents to leverage their nationwide network to send referrals to other trusted agents or receive referrals from within their network. Click here to learn more.
8. Host Engaging Open Houses
An open house isn’t just about selling one property. It’s also a networking opportunity and a chance to meet future clients face-to-face. The most successful real estate agents use open houses to showcase their expertise, connect with buyers, and build lasting relationships.
Make the experience warm, welcoming, and memorable. Greet visitors with a smile, provide detailed property information, and ask questions to understand their needs. Be sure to collect contact information so you can follow up and maintain the relationship.
Treat open houses as networking events and they’ll become one of the most effective lead generation strategies for real estate agents.
9. Master Communication and Client Follow-Up
Strong communication is one of the most important successful real estate agent tips because it builds trust, strengthens relationships, and keeps transactions on track. Mastering your communication skills means checking in regularly, responding quickly, and keeping clients updated before they have to ask. Clear, professional communication helps establish trust with clients and makes them feel supported throughout the process.
After a deal closes, don’t let the relationship end there. Send a thank-you note, check in to see how their move went, and share useful market updates or neighborhood news. Consistent, thoughtful follow-up turns one-time clients into repeat customers and valuable sources of real estate referrals.
10. Efficient Time Management
Building a successful real estate career takes dedication, focus, and a strong work ethic. As a self-employed agent, you control your schedule. Effective time management for real estate agents means prioritizing activities that grow your real estate business, such as building relationships, marketing yourself, and following up with clients.
The most successful agents often work evenings and weekends to meet their clients’ needs and close deals. Staying committed to these important activities and continually improving your skills will help you stand out in a competitive market, build a great reputation, and generate consistent real estate referrals.
11. Be Smart With Your Income
As a real estate professional, managing your finances is just as important as closing deals. Real estate agents don’t receive regular paychecks like traditional employees, so financial planning for real estate agents is essential. Keep detailed records of your income and expenses, set aside money for taxes, and maintain a separate business account to stay organized.
But being smart with your income isn’t just about saving– it’s about reinvesting in your business. The most successful real estate agents consistently put money back into their businesses to fuel growth. This can include running ads to attract new clients, hiring professionals for photography, social media, or marketing campaigns, and outsourcing administrative tasks.
These reinvestments not only free up your time but also create opportunities to expand your client base, close more deals, and strengthen your personal brand. Building this habit early in your career builds momentum and sets you up for long-term success.
12. Leverage Real Estate Technology
In today’s fast-paced market, successful real estate agents use technology to work smarter, close deals faster, and provide exceptional client service. From CRM systems that track leads and automate follow-ups to virtual tour software and digital marketing tools, the right tech can give you a serious edge over the competition.
Stay updated on new platforms, apps, and tools that help you market properties, manage transactions, and communicate efficiently with clients. For example, if you’re unavailable or sick, Showami allows you to leverage their nationwide network of on-demand agents to handle showings on your behalf. Leveraging real estate technology can help keep your business moving forward without interruption.
Putting These Real Estate Agent Tips into Action
Building a long-term, successful career in real estate takes more than passing the exam. It requires consistent action, adaptability, and a commitment to growth. By applying these 12 successful real estate agent tips, you’ll be ready to win clients, deliver great service, and stand out in a competitive market. Every open house, client conversation, and follow-up is an opportunity to strengthen your reputation and grow your business. Use the tools, strategies, and resources available — from proven marketing methods to platforms like Showami — and you’ll be prepared to thrive as a real estate agent in 2025 and beyond