Real Estate Reality Check: Surprises New Agents Didn't Expect!
When I first decided to transition into real estate, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what the day-to-day life of a real estate agent would be like. I had the enthusiasm, the drive, and the vision—but let me tell you, there were a few surprises along the way that completely changed how I approached building my business.
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Mariah Koehle. I’m a licensed and active real estate agent with eXp Realty, and I’m passionate about helping other agents build and scale their businesses using the power of social media. If that resonates with you, feel free to subscribe to my blog or connect with me directly—I love chatting with agents and brainstorming ways to take their business to the next level!
Let’s dive into some of the things that truly caught me off guard when I started this journey.
1. There’s No “Directory” for New Agents
One of the first surprises I encountered after earning my real estate license was realizing that nobody knew I was a real estate agent. There’s no magical directory that lets the world know you’re in business.
Unlike traditional careers where you apply for jobs and your qualifications do the talking, in real estate, it’s up to YOU to get your name out there. This realization hit me hard, but it also taught me a valuable lesson: to succeed, you need to be intentional about your lead generation strategies.
I always recommend choosing three lead generation avenues to start with. For me, social media was my first focus. I didn’t post only about real estate; I shared snippets of my daily life—whether I was putting together a closing basket for a client or juggling soccer practice with my kids. This casual, relatable content showed people who I was and what I did.
2. Your Sphere of Influence Is Key
When I got started, I had just moved to a new market where I didn’t know anyone. Building relationships became crucial. I volunteered for everything—team parent at soccer games, room mom at school, even coaching kids’ sports.
By putting myself out there, I naturally connected with people, and over time, they began associating me with real estate. Your sphere of influence—whether it's friends, family, or community connections—is a goldmine. Lean into it!
3. Your Brand Is YOU, Not Your Brokerage
Another misconception I had was that my brokerage would define the type of clients I attracted. I assumed being at a luxury brokerage meant I’d automatically sell luxury homes. Spoiler: that’s not how it works.
Your brand is YOU. The way you market yourself, the people you surround yourself with, and your mindset all play a bigger role than the brokerage name on your business card. I’ve sold luxury homes while working at a boutique brokerage, a flat-fee brokerage, and a luxury brokerage. It’s all about how you position yourself and the value you bring to your clients.
4. You Don’t Have to Cold Call or Door Knock
When I started, I was told I’d need to cold call and door knock to build my business. While these methods work for some, they didn’t align with my personality or lifestyle.
Instead, I leaned heavily into social media and my sphere of influence. I built a thriving business by sharing valuable content, being consistent, and showing up authentically online. The great news? There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy in real estate. Find what works for you and lean into it.
5. Mindset Matters More Than Anything
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that your mindset shapes your success. Want to sell luxury homes? Believe you can. It’s not about your brokerage; it’s about the value you bring to the table and the connections you create.
Let’s Build Your Business Together
Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned pro looking to pivot, remember this: the possibilities in real estate are endless. If you’re ready to scale your business in a modern, social-media-driven way, I’d love to help.
Let’s chat about how you can take your real estate career to the next level without relying on outdated methods like cold calling or door knocking. Together, we can build a strategy that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
Feel free to reach out!
