Career & application guide

Real Estate Sales Agents

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do real estate sales agents do?

Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Real Estate Agent
  • Real Estate Salesperson
  • Realtor
  • Realtor Associate

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • 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.
  • Coordinate appointments to show homes to prospective buyers.
  • Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
  • Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
  • Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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