How to be an effective agent when you’re a homebody or introvert

Key Takeaways

• The role of the real estate agent has shifted from information gatekeeper to problem-solver — and people skills are essential.
• Homebodies and introverts may be at a disadvantage because so much of real estate is relationship-based networking.
• Any personality type can find creative ways to network and communicate — through writing, radio shows, podcasts, whatever feels genuine.

Building relationships, being able to communicate, being likeable — these are all important traits in today’s real estate market. I say today’s because, looking back historically, I think agents in the past could be jerks and still remain in business because agents were the gatekeepers to certain information.

These days, information is more available and accessible, and agents who operate without people skills struggle. With information more accessible, the role of the real estate agent has shifted from gatekeeper to problem-solver — a negotiator who finds creative ways to make things happen.

Nowadays, much of the role of real estate agent is relationship-based.  

Can I be an introvert and still be an effective agent?

I’m a bit of a homebody. I don’t go out and meet people very often. That can be detrimental to a real estate agent, because the more people you network with, the more people you attract to your business. When it comes time to find an agent, people turn to someone they know and trust.

Now let’s say you’re a homebody or a bit of an introvert — can you still make a career of it? Absolutely. I’m in that category, so I work hard at building relationships. I write articles, create videos and host a real estate show on the radio. I’m not perfect, and I don’t pretend to be, and therefore my audience can see that I’m being authentic.  Plus, it’s a lot more fun to communicate with others when you are just being yourself.

To grow your sphere of influence, you don’t have to door knock, do pop by’s, attend networking events, or cold call old and new contacts. But you do have to find your own way to interact, communicate, and make an impression with people.

You may be an excellent agent, but if don’t have an audience of people that will go out of there way to work with you or will send referrals to you then your business can and will suffer.  

The good news is you don’t need a giant audience to build relationships with.  Even if you start with 1, 10, or 20 people. Look for ways to make an impact with them.  This could be as simple as writing them a handwritten note, responding to them on their social media, asking them about how their family members are doing, sending them a fun birthday gift, it doesn’t matter how you build the relationships, just make an effort to deepen the relationship.

Another strategy to grow more relationships is to find or create an audience of people who have something in common.  Where people will identify with you faster because you like what they like, think like them.

Such as, helping them in some way that is not typical for a real estate agent.  This could be putting them in touch with someone that could help them

We all have some natural strengths and areas where we tend to struggle.   However, we can all learn new skills. So if you dislike making cold calls to internet leads, what else can you do to grow your nueture  Just because you might dislike going to social events, you may still excel at a face to face meetings. You may struggle and making new relationships but may be your excellent at keeping and deepening the relationships you do have.

You don’t have to be social in the traditional sense of that word

Even though I’m quiet and reserved in my personal life, I can talk all day and seem extroverted in front of clients or an audience.

You can make this business work for you no matter your personality type, so long as you can bring your A-game when you need it.