Getting started as a new real estate agent is exciting. You have your license, you joined a great brokerage, and you are ready to help people. But then you face a big question. How do you get clients? Specifically, how do you get listings? A listing is when a homeowner trusts you to sell their house. Getting listings is key to building a successful career. This guide will give you simple, proven steps to find more sellers and get more listings, starting today.

Start with People You Already Know

Your first clients will likely come from your sphere of influence, or SOI. Your SOI is everyone you know. This includes your family, friends, past coworkers, and neighbors. These people already know and trust you. You just need to let them know you are in the real estate business.

How to Reach Out to Your SOI

You can call, text, or email people in your SOI. You do not need to be pushy. Just be helpful. You can use a simple script like this:

"Hi [Name], it's [Your Name]. I hope you're doing well. I'm excited to share that I've started my career as a real estate agent with [Your Brokerage]. I'm helping people in our community buy and sell homes. If you or anyone you know is thinking about making a move, I would love to be a resource for them. Do you know anyone who might need my help right now?"

This script is simple and direct. It reminds them what you do and asks for a referral. Keep track of who you talk to. A simple spreadsheet can work. Write down their name, when you contacted them, and any notes. Follow up every few months to stay in touch.

Use Open Houses to Find Sellers

Open houses are not just for selling the house you are showing. They are a great way to meet potential sellers. Many people who visit open houses are thinking about selling their own home. They are looking at other houses to get an idea of the market.

What to Say at an Open House

When visitors come in, greet them warmly. Ask them simple questions to start a conversation. Here is a script you can use:

"Welcome. Thanks for coming today. My name is [Your Name]. Are you folks from the neighborhood, or are you looking to move into this area?"

This question helps you understand their situation. If they live in the neighborhood, they might be thinking of selling. You can then ask more questions:

"That's great. A lot of neighbors like to see what homes are selling for in the area. Are you thinking about making a move in the next year or so?"

Have a sign-in sheet to collect names and email addresses. This lets you follow up with them later. Send them a thank you email after the open house. Offer to send them a free report on what their home is worth.

Help People Who Are Selling on Their Own

Some people try to sell their home without an agent. These are called For Sale By Owner, or FSBOs. Many FSBOs eventually decide to hire an agent. They realize that selling a home is a lot of work. You can be the agent they choose if you build a relationship with them.

A Script for Calling FSBOs

When you call a FSBO, your goal is to be helpful, not to push for the listing right away. Offer them something of value. Here is a script:

"Hi, I'm calling about the house for sale on [Street Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I'm a local real estate agent. I'm not calling to ask for your listing. I was just wondering if you would be open to me previewing the home for any buyers I might be working with?"

This is a low pressure way to start a conversation. You can also offer to give them tips on how to market their home or a list of trusted vendors, like photographers or home stagers. By being a resource, you build trust. When they are ready to hire an agent, they will think of you.

Look for Expired Listings

An expired listing is a home that did not sell while it was on the market with another agent. The sellers are usually frustrated and want to know why their home did not sell. This is an opportunity for you to show them how you would do things differently.

How to Approach Expired Listings

These sellers may be getting a lot of calls from other agents. You need to stand out. Do your research before you call. Know the property's history. Prepare a marketing plan that is better than what the last agent did. Here is a script you can use:

"Hi [Seller Name], my name is [Your Name] with [Your Brokerage]. I noticed your home on [Street Name] is no longer on the market. I specialize in selling homes that other agents were not able to sell. I have some ideas on how we could get your home sold quickly and for a great price. Would you be open to meeting for 15 minutes to discuss a new approach?"

Be confident and show them you have a plan. Your goal is to get a face to face meeting. In that meeting, you can present your unique marketing strategy and win the listing.

Build a Simple Online Presence

In today's world, you need to be online. Sellers will look you up before they decide to work with you. You do not need a fancy, expensive website. A simple, professional website is enough. It should have your photo, your contact information, and a little bit about you.

Use Social Media Wisely

Choose one or two social media platforms and use them well. Facebook and Instagram are great for real estate agents. Post content that is helpful to homeowners. Here are some ideas:

Local Market Updates: Share what is happening in your local real estate market.
Home Maintenance Tips: Give advice on how to take care of a home.
Community Events: Show that you are involved in your community.
Client Testimonials: Share stories from happy clients.

Consistency is more important than frequency. It is better to post three times a week with good content than to post three times a day with nothing useful.

Conclusion

Getting listings as a new agent takes effort, but it is not complicated. It is about building relationships and providing value. Start with the people you know. Use open houses to meet new sellers. Reach out to FSBOs and expired listings with a helpful attitude. Build a professional online presence. If you follow these steps consistently, you will build a strong pipeline of seller leads. You will soon have a steady stream of listings and a thriving real estate business.

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How to Get More Listings as a New Real Estate Agent