The Agent
- Claudia Castillo | Real Estate Simplified
- Feb 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Why Are You In Real Estate?
3 Ways To Stay Grounded in Real Estate...
01
Redefine Success
Success’ is often thrown around, but only you can define what it means for you. When things don’t go as expected, allow yourself to feel disappointed, work through the emotions, then dust yourself off and get back in the game.
02
Protect Your Well-Being
The most important person in your business is you. Take breaks, eat away from your desk, and walk around the block between appointments. Your clients will benefit from having an agent who prioritizes their well-being.
03
Stay Consistent
In real estate, there’s always something to learn and new opportunities to pursue. In every market condition, consistency is key—. Keep learning, offering value, and building relationships, and the business will follow.
Why are you in real estate? Whatever your reasons are, you're probably a multifaceted individual who enjoys helping buyers and sellers achieve their dreams and goals. Real estate is a fascinating industry, full of highs of joy and prosperity and lows of challenges and uncertainty. It can be stressful, but it’s also deeply fulfilling. Nothing is permanent—embrace the ebb and flow of the job.
Most of us remember our first listing. Mine was over one hundred miles north from Seattle, near the Canadian border—over a couple of hours from home with moderate traffic. It came through a second-degree referral, and after covering gas, paying my mentor, my broker, both referral fees, and marketing, I ended up owing myself! But it sold. That single transaction taught me so much and led to two more buyers—who are still my clients today. Real estate can be surprising.
The Most Important Person in Your Business
The most important person in your business is you. Your clients will also benefit from having an agent who prioritizes their well-being. Whether you’re full-time or part-time, this job requires full commitment, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Take breaks throughout your workday. Eat away from your desk (and not in the car), and walk around the block between appointments. Every step counts.
Success Is Personal
"Success" is often thrown around, but only you can define what it means for you. When things get rough—and they will, because that’s life—taking care of yourself will keep you going. Be kind to yourself. When things don’t go as expected, allow yourself to feel disappointed, work through the emotions, then dust yourself off and get back in the game. Real estate is an empowering but demanding career. It requires constant attention and dedication, but when managed well, it balances out.
Be Selective
I understand the desire to help every client no-matter-what, but sometimes that “what” can become too much. Learn when to walk away from difficult situations or clients who are unrealistic or unresponsive. Setting healthy boundaries and working with people who align with your values will help you stay motivated and successful in the long run.
Dry Season
If you hit a slow period (it happens), have a Plan B in case a commission check doesn’t come through fast enough. Look into programs that offer commission advances, and talk to your broker—they’ve rescued me in times of hardship. Nothing to be embarrassed about—Plan B’s helped me put food on the table when I was a single mom, waiting for deals to close.
Offer Help and Build Relationships
When business is quiet, seek out new connections with lenders for referrals, visit new construction sites, or host open houses to meet prospective clients. Consider offering assistance to a busy colleague or team—not only does this keep you engaged with the market but it’s a great way to build relationships, which can sometimes lead to compensation or future collaborations.
Stay Focused
In real estate, there’s always something to learn and new opportunities to pursue. In every market condition, consistency is key. Stay visible and valuable to your clients by reaching out with useful content—market updates, complimentary home valuations, or tips for buyers and sellers. Keep learning. The business will follow.
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