(BPT) – Looking to start a new career, or to revamp your current career in real estate? For women entrepreneurs seeking a breakout business opportunity, now is an ideal time to consider a real estate franchise. Advantages include using skills and knowledge you already have, being your own boss and taking steps toward achieving financial freedom. You can use your people skills, plus your knowledge or experience about homeownership and real estate to develop a successful career.
The real estate market is booming, and with the right approach — and the right franchise — your career could be booming right along with it.
Here are things to consider for your next great career opportunity.
1. Choose a top brand
Research real estate companies that are not only nationally well known, but that are continuing to grow. A brand that home buyers recognize will instill trust, and a company that’s experiencing growth right now shows how agile they are in adapting to today’s changing circumstances and challenging business climate.
2. Select a company that supports women
Before you sign on the dotted line, look for a franchisor that you know will be on your side. For example, Franchise Business Review named Realty ONE Group in its 2021 “Top 50 Franchises for Women.” The report reveals female franchise owners’ satisfaction with their franchisor in terms of leadership, training and support, financial opportunity and work/life balance.
“Of all the accolades we’ve earned, we’re most proud of being named to this list,” said Kuba Jewgieniew, CEO and founder of Realty ONE Group. “We’re so proud of all of our business owners and real estate professionals, but love to see that among our female warriors, we’re serving them well and making them more successful every single day.”
Last year, half of the company’s 86 franchises sold went to women entrepreneurs, and of their growing network of offices, 111 are owned and operated by female franchise owners. The company’s very first franchise is still owned and managed by Barbara Baker in Temecula, California. A whopping 70% of the company’s employees are women, with half of the company’s leadership being female.
3. Look for the right commission model
A career in real estate involves lots of hard work and unconventional hours. As a professional, you may be understandably reluctant to give up your hard-earned dollars in the traditional 60/40 or 50/50 commission structures common with real estate companies. Instead, you could get a franchise with Realty ONE Group, which offers a 100% commission model — so you keep the money you earn.
4. Embrace technology
Many of the changes that have been necessary for the real estate business due to the pandemic have become an integral feature of buying and selling houses, and will likely remain permanent moving forward.
Virtual open houses and home tours are not only convenient for home buyers, but they also save time and money for agents. Wherever homebuyers are located, they can explore properties and make preliminary buying decisions from the comfort of their own homes.
Because of technological advances, successful real estate agents must learn how to leverage all these tools, from mastering social media to assessing analytics. Promoting your business, attracting clients and showing properties are easily achievable using the right technology tools. Learning to use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to effectively manage customer interactions and leads, and sharing listings with other agents via an internet data display (IDX) are two more tools you’ll need in your technology toolbox.
Agents who can master these tech tools — and who will be open to adopting new ones as they develop — will continue to attract and convert leads into buyers while raising their own business profiles.
5. Look for continual learning opportunities
When seeking a franchise, find a company that offers continuing education on all of these cutting-edge technology tools, while also providing support to its franchisees. Realty ONE Group offers 24/7 support and ongoing education with its ONE University and Learning Management System — plus a community of owners nationwide to be your support network throughout your career.
Want to learn more? Visit www.ownaone.com.