Category: selling real estate

Can a real estate agent have tattoos?

If you are self-employed as a real estate agent, sure you can have tattoos, you can have or dress whatever you like. The question is if it is beneficial in your business or may even draw away some possible buyers.

Although having a tattoo might be a good way to strike up a conversation and meet new prospects, keep in mind that you will deal with all sorts of clients – maybe even some who don´t like tattoos (yes, they still exist).

Having your appearance as neutral as possible will help your customers to focus on the property you are showing them.

When it comes to an agent who works for a real estate company or represents a certain brand this might be a different story.

What kind of tattoo real estate companies allow or not depends on each individual case. They may require employees who deal with customers to reflect the character of the company in their outward appearance. Important are the policies of the real estate brand, as well as the expectations of the clientele.

The company may specify what its employees should wear and how they wear it. For example, they may forbid to wear jeans, sneakers, or to go without tie or jacket when meeting customers. They may also instruct employees to always remove piercings or cover tattoos when in contact with possible buyers.

One thing is certain: Large and visible tattoos are a no-go

Having a monster tattooed in your face might not be a good idea when you are trying to sell a luxury villa to some conservative clients.

As a real estate agent, you should draw attention to the property you are selling. That´s why your appearance in general – having a tattoo or not – should not be too intrusive.

Are real estate agents paid on commission only?

The answer is: It depends.

If real estate agents are paid on commission only depends if the real estate agent is self-employed or not. If not, he would get a monthly wage from his employer plus his share in a deal when he sold something.

Being employed

Any real estate agent who does not own a business is usually an employee at a bank or at a real estate office.

This can be lucrative. Although in this case the commission is not particularly large, he receives a fixed salary each month.

The commission varies greatly with the performance of the broker. In most real estate offices the performance-related salary would be between 20 to 50 percent of the commission.

Being self-employed

An alternative to an employment with a monthly salary is being self-employment as a real estate agent.

There is no fixed income, but the commission per sale or rental is higher.

Real estate commissions are based on the price of the property. The commission for a real estate transaction is negotiable. It tends to range anywhere from 1% all the way up to 10%.

But don´t forget, as a freelance real estate agent you also have more expenses, such as costs forrunning your office and possibly paying staff. These costs will lessen your profits. In addition, self-employed need to look after their health insurance and Pay taxes (income tax, trade tax, etc.).

Real estate agents carry a high economic risk, because they are responsible for the accuracy of their statements. Basically, they work for free until they sell something. Some properties may not be sold because of unrealistic price expectations of the seller. Also, some may sell only after many months and countless viewing appointments. In addition, buyers who contact the seller directly to bypass the commission pose a commercial risk to the real estate agent.