Real estate agent

About this occupation

Real estate agents administer the sales or letting process of residential, commercial properties or land on behalf of their clients. They investigate the property's condition and assess its value in order to offer the best price to their clients. They negotiate, compose a sales contract or a rental contract and liaise with third parties in order to realize the stated objectives during transactions. They undertake research to determine the legality of a property sale before it is sold and make sure the transaction is not subject to any disputes or restrictions.

• Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
• Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
• Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
• Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
• Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
• Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.

Preparation

Job Zone 2 of 5

Interests

Enterprising, Conventional, Social

Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Negotiation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Persuasion

US median pay: US$52,830 a year (2025), 193,370 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.6)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.3)
• Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.3)
• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.2)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Education

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience

Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Training

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.