An Introverted Realtor Can Succeed. Here's How

Have you been considering a career in real estate? Perhaps you've even taken the plunge and have gotten licensed. But now that you're getting started you may be wondering if you have the right personality type to succeed in the industry. 

While the name implies that real estate is all about properties, the truth is that it is actually all about people. From networking to cold calling to working closely with clients, it might seem like being a realtor is tailor-made for extroverts. The job of a realtor is one in sales, and perhaps you imagine that achievements depend on the ability to reach out and connect to people. But while connections are important, the truth is that introverts can build a successful career as a realtor. In fact, an introvert real estate agent may even find their personality type is an asset!

An Introvert Real Estate Agent's Guide

If you're curious about whether you are an introvert, here is a helpful article that tells you more about the personality type. For those of us who are on the introverted side of the scale, a true people person type of career might seem like it's out of reach. But by combining the right attitude with some useful tips, an introverted realtor can find success. If you find yourself in a position of coaching an introvert there are ways you can help too.

Embrace the Advantages

The fact is that being an introverted realtor actually gives you some real advantages over your extrovert counterparts. Let's take a look at a few of your advantages and why they are so great for real estate. 

• You've Got Great Focus: Introverts value their internal thinking process highly, and they think before they speak. From problem-solving to creating a plan of action, introverts are great at focusing on what's at hand for extended periods of time. This can give you a big leg up when it comes to getting work done and providing your clients with the best service.
• You Don't Need External Validation: As an independent contractor, there's no real review process as an agent. As wonderful as it is to get a glowing testimonial from a client, a job well done doesn't always provide that boost. But as an introvert, you know yourself and can feel confident on your own that you've done good work.
• You Are Good at Being Objective: Buying and selling a home are hugely emotional decisions. By offering an objective viewpoint you offer your clients an invaluable service. Add extra bonus points here because introverts are great at being compassionate and creating a quiet, calm environment. You'll be providing your clients exactly what they need, when they need it most. Additionally that's a big advantage when it comes to all-important negotiations. 

Listening Can Get Better Results than Talking

When we imagine a salesperson, oftentimes the image conjured up is of a person talking a mile a minute. But a good salesperson knows it's not how hard you push a sale through with words that leads to success. Rather it's how capable you are at listening to what the client really wants. As an introvert this gives you a big leg up. 

Focusing on What's Important Takes the Spotlight Off of You

What many introverts dread most is being the center of attention. When you're holding an open house or leading customers through a walk-through, it can seem like all eyes are on you. But remember that all eyes really needs to be on the property for you to be doing your job well. Keep the focus there and you'll be more comfortable while doing a better job. 

Avoid Burnout

A big part of being an introvert centers around feeling more energized from alone time, while being around people constantly can prove draining. That's why it's critical to take good care of yourself. Here are some pointers for introvert real estate agents looking to avoid burnout:

• Sleep Is Essential: Sleep detoxes the brain and in avoiding burnout it is critical to be well-rested. Even a 20-minute power nap can help.
• Schedule Carefully: Try to balance those social aspects of the job with times when you're on your own. Don't schedule back to back open houses. Instead, schedule some time in between to write a marketing plan or place ads.
• Exercise: It's not just for getting in shape. Studies have shown that exercise is good for the brain as well and has overall stress releasing effects.
• Establish Boundaries: Sometimes realtors fall into the trap of feeling like they always have to be on. It's important to establish some boundaries between your workday and your time off. It's critical to take some personal time to recharge. Additionally, you should establish boundaries with your client as well. Let your clients know from the beginning what hours you are available. 

Improve on Your Weak Points

At the end of the day, there are some parts of the job that will involve talking to a lot of people. Be honest with yourself and evaluate which are the hardest things for you, and take a look at how you can improve. Perhaps read a book on better communication skills or practice talking to strangers in a mirror. From cold calls to networking events, you will need to do some of these things, so make the best of it. And remember, every job has a hard part, and the more you do the hard parts, the easier they become with practice. 

Play to Your Strengths

At the same time, there are a lot of workarounds for some of the hardest parts. If talking on the phone is draining for you, that try and focus on communicating in writing (emails and texts) as much as possible. If you hate self-promotion in person, give it a try on social media. It's a great place to build up your brand as a realtor, and even to network without having to do anything in-person. Another great idea is to consider partnering up or building a team with someone a bit more extroverted than you. That way, you can divide the labor based on who is best at what.

Introverted realtors can and do find great success in the industry. By following a few tips, you're likely to find this aspect of your personality much more of an asset than a hindrance in becoming a great agent. 

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