Niagara Falls’ Chris Lamb Discusses The Importance of Continued Education For Real Estate Agents
Career development is important in almost every field, but especially real estate. Real estate is an industry that relies on changing communities and growth. By understanding communities in Niagara Falls, Chris Lamb has continued to progress with the area.
Continuing Education in Real Estate
Real estate education can involve multiple methods, including:
● schooling
● networking
● community outreach
Chris Lamb initially enrolled in International Business Management from Niagara College. Through this type of education, he was about to network and build the relationships necessary to create a successful real estate development career. Since then, he has grown to incorporate design, style, and efficiency when building homes.
But that’s not the end. Even with property development experience and clients, Chris Lamb is consistently developing his career. Career skills involve more than just the initial schooling and education required to complete a job. Knowing which community events to attend, how to talk to potential industry professionals and clients, and making accurate predictions are essential to measuring growth.
Continuing development includes:
Classes
During a 2-year license renewal for real estate agents, 36 hours of continuing education is required. In addition to real estate agent classes, other continuing education classes provide knowledge for developers and other real estate industry professionals. Certain growth development topics can include loans, foreclosures, and scripts.
Classes that detail financial wellness involves specific planning needs for realtors as well as clients. Even courses that do not seem to have anything to do with real estate can help with overall business skills, such as leadership development and ethics training. Many continuing education classes can be completed online or in-person.
Networking
Growth and development are best done with the help of others. Networking can serve as a way to keep abreast of neighborhood politics and community businesses. Since neighborhoods are always changing, networking is a skill that must be used regularly.
While networking can be done during classes, it is best achieved in-person through the community. Live events such as art shows or local festivals are one way to get a taste of what’s happening. Local school events are another way to get involved. New businesses in the Niagara Falls area are often noticed by the community. Celebrating new growth and participating in the neighborhood is a way to have fun and meet people.
Community Outreach
Community outreach is similar to networking at neighborhood functions, but it usually goes a step further. By funding a community event or fair or new-business opening, potential clients and neighbors can patronize the local economy or simply get to know one another.
Community outreach can take many forms. Volunteering at a pet shelter, donating money to a cause, or even setting up an auction can help bring people together. Going one step further than simply attending an event, meeting people, and drawing attention to the community can generate interest.
Real Estate Research
Research is an on-going skill that people in the industry must keep up with to succeed. This can be done in several different ways and does not have to cost money. Free online courses may offer their services on analyzing market research as well as personal reviews.
Studying local listings to see what the market looks like in local areas will help create an accurate assessment. Real estate market research will help pinpoint target neighborhoods with multi-family properties or other target audiences. Since new economic factors will continue to affect housing, predicting them is a huge advantage.
Property Management
Real estate is a broad field. Investors, agents, and developers often have multiple roles or change positions. Learning how to manage individual properties can be lucrative to put real estate knowledge to use for homeowners or renters.
Property management can be taught in multiple ways, including virtual and in-person instruction. While some people choose to learn on the job or accumulate knowledge from individuals who already manage properties, the skill is always necessary.
Public Speaking
While many industry professionals are not required to speak in front of an audience publicly, the skill can prove invaluable when networking. Socializing with a purpose can often feel stunted and awkward. Since networking is often about socializing with the intent of broadening career goals, many people feel uncomfortable.
Public speaking is designed to bolster confidence while helping structure a conversation in a way that makes sense. Public speaking classes are often beneficial for business leaders but can also help in any profession. By understanding how to speak succinctly and with grace and humor can release any potential networking anxiety.
Advanced Applications
As technology progresses, new ways of communicating and financing emerge. Staying on top of the newest software can help with billing, paperwork, and general organizational practices. For busy real estate professionals, administrative services may be necessary.
This is increasingly done through virtual connection and administrative programs. Many new technology courses are provided at local community centers. This can be a sufficient way to network while simultaneously learning new technology skills.
Career Advancement
Continuing education helps build new skills while keeping the job fresh and enjoyable. In the real estate business, there are multiple paths available. By pursuing new qualifications and choosing to move forward, a diverse set of opportunities can appear.
Professions in the real estate field can include:
● appraisers
● commercial brokers
● foreclosure specialists
● lease administrators
● property managers
● real estate agents
● real estate developers
● title examiners
Depending on the specialty, development courses may look different. Career advancement can help any professional when narrowing their specialty into a niche field. It can also help individuals start their own companies or organizations. When focusing on income level, real estate professionals must factor in their location, network, and ability to learn.
