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Being a real estate agent in America means movement, euphoria, agitation. It is known that, when it comes to sales, Americans are quite competitive because they are driven by a strong desire for professional affirmation. This applies to all sectors of the market, including real estate. A decidedly more aggressive behavioral model than what we are used to here in Italy.
If your dream is to leave and make a career as a real estate agent in America you will have to adapt your methods to those of the United States. How? By following these few simple tips from the Casavo team.
The requirements needed to practice the profession in the USA
Anyone who wants to work as a real estate agent in the United States is required by law to possess a specific license. To apply, according to official New York State documentation, you must:
- be at least 18 years of age at the time of application;
- have completed a 75-hour training course approved by the relevant State bodies;
- have a certified real estate brokerage firm as a sponsor;
- pass the real estate agent exam of the state in which you wish to practice.
But be careful! These requirements vary from area to area. It's always best to request detailed information from the State Department in the area you're interested in to avoid rather costly fines.
Becoming a real estate agent in America: the power of personal branding
In the United States, the majority of real estate transactions are made with the help of agencies or real estate agents. This certainly means there's no shortage of work, just as there's no shortage of competition, sometimes fierce (especially for the most prestigious properties!).
To swim safely in the shark tank and carve out your own slice of the market, you need to build a strong professional identity, which will help you get clients without breaking a sweat. Essentially, we're talking about personal branding.
There are no real manuals on how to become a real estate agent in America, but there are on building a personal brand. We at Casavo have read some for you and have selected the tips most suitable for those who want to make a career as a real estate agent in the USA.
1. Leave room for authenticity
To earn as much as a real estate agent in America, you don't need to copy anyone. Find your own sales style, follow your natural inclinations, and remember to always let your personality shine through.
2. Specialize
Do you want to help foreign investors buy a house in Italy? Are you passionate about low-energy buildings or do you excel at farmhouses and historic homes? Every opportunity to do something well, and do it better than others, creates distinction. The more experience you gain in a specific market segment, the greater your recognition will be in that specific niche of the real estate market.
3. Define your value proposition
Defining your value proposition means acting differently from the competition. You need to build an identity that inspires trust, speak clearly, and provide as much information as possible to your potential clients. Be there for them when they need it and demonstrate professionalism at all times, even when faced with obstacles. You will become their point of reference by increasing mandates and earnings.
How much does a real estate agent earn in America?
Let's face it: this is the question you've been asking yourself since the beginning of this article. Don't expect big differences compared to what happens today in Italy. Even in the USA, compensation is strictly related to how many sales you close each year.
Real estate agents in the United States, as we were saying, work with a license that varies from state to state and the earnings are based on the commission: the higher the selling price of the property, the higher the fee will be for the person who carries out the mediation. On average, the salary is around $52,700 per year (source: Indeed).
Not bad for a highly competitive market.
With the information we've provided, you have everything you need to prepare the groundwork for your career in the US. In the meantime, continue practicing in Italy: become a Casavo partner.