Starting a career in real estate is an exciting journey full of potential. Whether you’re enrolling in a Kaplan Real Estate Course or another real estate agent course, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead. The reality is that many new agents fall into the same traps when they first begin their careers, but these mistakes are avoidable with the right guidance and training.
At Kaplan Real Estate Education Powered by RFT, we focus on providing not only comprehensive education but also essential accountability, ensuring you’re set up for success. In this post, we’ll walk you through the top 5 mistakes new real estate agents make and share how to avoid them so you can thrive in your real estate career.
Mistake #1: Not Having a Clear Business Plan
When starting your journey as a real estate agent, many people dive right into working with clients without first creating a business plan. This is a critical mistake that can set you back significantly. A business plan isn’t just about goals; it’s about creating a roadmap for your success. If you join RFT, we help all of our agents with the following:
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Defining clear financial goals
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Giving you the access to our marketing strategy and materials (social media, online ads, etc.)
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A client prospecting plan
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Developing a calendar with specific activities to keep you on track to reach your goals
By writing out your plan early on during your real estate agent training, you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term success. It’s crucial to know exactly where you’re going and how to get there. This is why Kaplan Real Estate School Powered by RFT emphasizes the importance of setting goals and creating a roadmap to keep you on track throughout your career.
Mistake #2: Underestimating the Importance of Networking
In real estate, your network can be your greatest asset. New agents often make the mistake of assuming that clients will come to them automatically once they’ve passed their real estate licensing exam. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Networking is essential to growing your real estate career. Not only do you need to connect with potential clients, but building relationships with other professionals in the industry is equally important. These can include:
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Mortgage brokers
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Title agents
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Contractors
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Fellow real estate agents
Through your real estate agent school training, you’ll learn the importance of building and maintaining these connections. These relationships can lead to valuable referrals, partnerships, and career growth opportunities. Attending local real estate events and joining organizations such as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) are also great ways to expand your network. At RFT, we already have a list of professional partners that you can connect with. Additionally, we provide training and scripts for you to grow your SOI (Sphere of Influence) and CORE 100 (other professional relationships).
Mistake #3: Failing to Leverage Technology and Marketing Tools
The real estate industry has evolved significantly with the rise of technology. New real estate agents often struggle to keep up with the digital tools available to market themselves and their listings. In today’s competitive market, real estate marketing is crucial to your success.
Whether it’s learning how to creating an engaging website or mastering listing platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com, using technology will help you stand out. One of the biggest advantages of joining Kaplan Real Estate School Powered by RFT is that we provide you with the skills needed to master these tools from day one, including AI!
Mistake #4: Not Having a Coach and Mentor
Going into real estate without guidance is a huge mistake. While real estate courses provide you with foundational knowledge, having a coach and mentor is invaluable for long-term success. Coaches and mentors can provide insight into the practical aspects of the business, including:
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How to handle client negotiations
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Navigating difficult transactions
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Understanding the ins and outs of paperwork
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Time management and organization skills
At Kaplan Real Estate Education Powered by RFT, we don’t just provide you with the knowledge to pass your licensing exam; we also offer ongoing support to help you launch your career. Once licensed, you’ll have the opportunity to join a strong team, such as the Rick Fuller Team (RFT), which offers extensive mentorship from seasoned professionals. With guidance from your coach and mentor, you’ll be able to avoid common pitfalls and learn how to succeed faster.
Mistake #5: Failing to Set Realistic Expectations
New agents often have unrealistic expectations about their income and the amount of work required to succeed in real estate. It’s common to think that business will immediately flood in after you receive your license, but that’s simply not the case. The first few months can be slow as you build relationships, gain experience, and establish your reputation.
It’s important to manage your expectations, especially when it comes to:
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Time investment
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Learning curve
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Income potential in the first year
Being realistic about your expectations will help you avoid frustration and burnout. Kaplan’s real estate agent training includes setting achievable goals and preparing you mentally for the challenges that lie ahead. We teach you how to pace yourself and stay motivated through your journey, no matter how slow the start may feel. If you join RFT, you’ll be inspired and equipped with our weekly team meetings, production meetings, and coach check-ins.
How Kaplan Real Estate Education Powered by RFT Helps You Avoid These Mistakes
At Kaplan Real Estate School Powered by RFT, we understand the challenges new agents face, which is why our courses are designed to address them. Our real estate agent courses provide a thorough understanding of the real estate industry, ensuring you’re equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to avoid common mistakes. We don’t just teach you how to pass your licensing exam—we teach you how to build a successful and sustainable career.
Here’s how Kaplan sets you up for success:
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Structured Learning: Our online courses are designed for evening learning, allowing you to study after work while receiving guidance from experienced RFT coaches.
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Accountability: Regular check-ins with an experienced coach will keep you on track and motivated to meet your career goals.
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Real-World Experience: You’ll receive hands-on training and support throughout your journey, from passing the exam to navigating your first few transactions.
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Pathway to Joining RFT: Once you’re licensed, you’ll have the potential to join a top-performing real estate team, gaining mentorship, accountability, and real income pathways.
Conclusion
Becoming a real estate agent is an exciting career move, but it’s important to be aware of the common mistakes many new agents make. By preparing yourself with the right training, networking skills, marketing knowledge, and mentorship, you’ll be ahead of the curve.
If you’re ready to start your real estate career, enroll in a Kaplan Real Estate Course Powered by RFT today. With expert coaching, personalized accountability, and the potential to join the Rick Fuller Team, you’ll be on the right path to success.
Visit our Kaplan Real Estate Education page to learn more and start your journey today.
