Real Estate Agent Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A real estate agent helps people buy, sell and rent property. They list homes, market them, run showings and open houses, negotiate offers, and guide clients through inspections, appraisals and closing paperwork. Most of the job is relationship work: finding clients, earning referrals, and staying patient through deals that can fall apart at any stage.
Agents usually work on commission under a sponsoring broker, covering residential, commercial or rental property in a local market they know well. The license gets you in the door; the business comes from your network, your response time and your reputation after the first few closings.
Real Estate Agent job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Real Estate Agent
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is looking for a licensed real estate agent to serve buyers and sellers in [market/area]. You'll generate and manage leads, list and market property, and guide clients from first showing to closing.
What you'll do
- Prospect and qualify buyer and seller leads from referrals, sign calls and [CRM/portal].
- List properties: price strategy, photos, descriptions and showings.
- Host open houses and private showings, and follow up with interested buyers.
- Negotiate offers, counteroffers and contingencies on behalf of clients.
- Coordinate inspections, appraisals and lender requirements through to closing.
- Keep clients updated at each stage and manage expectations on timeline and price.
- Maintain CRM records, market reports and listing compliance with [MLS/board] rules.
- Build referral relationships with past clients, lenders and other agents.
What you'll bring
- Active real estate license in [state].
- [X]+ years as a licensed agent, or a recent license plus a sponsoring broker.
- Working knowledge of purchase contracts, disclosures and local closing practices.
- Comfortable prospecting by phone, text and in person.
- Strong negotiation and follow-up skills under deal deadlines.
- Reliable transportation and availability for evening and weekend showings.
Nice to have
- Existing book of past clients or sphere of influence in [market].
- Experience with [luxury / commercial / investment property].
- Fluency in a second language common in [market].
- Familiarity with [CRM, e.g. Follow Up Boss or kvCORE].
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Commission split, lead referrals, marketing support, transaction coordinator access]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a call to confirm license status and market, a meeting with the broker to discuss split and support, and a trial period handling referred leads.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Real Estate Agent duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Works assigned leads and open houses under a mentor agent.
- Shadows showings and closings to learn local contract practice.
- Builds a client base through referrals and online leads.
Mid-level
- Manages a steady pipeline of buyers and sellers independently.
- Negotiates directly and handles most paperwork without a mentor.
- Builds repeat and referral business from past closings.
Senior
- Runs a high-volume book of business or leads a small team of agents.
- Handles complex deals: investment property, luxury listings or short timelines.
- Mentors newer agents and may move toward broker licensing.
Real Estate Agent career path
- New Agent
- Agent
- Top Producer
- Team Lead or Broker
Most agents enter straight from licensing coursework, often as a second career from sales, hospitality or customer service. Income builds slowly as referrals compound, and experienced agents either grow a team of buyer's agents under them or get a broker license to run their own office.
Similar roles
- Sales Representative job description
Sells products or services rather than property, usually with a base salary.
- Insurance Agent job description
Sells policies instead of property, often with renewal commissions.
- Loan Officer job description
Works the financing side of the same transactions.
- Account Manager job description
Manages ongoing client accounts rather than one-off property deals.
Real Estate Agent job description FAQ
What does a real estate agent do day to day?
Prospects for buyer and seller leads, lists and shows property, negotiates offers, and manages the paperwork and deadlines from accepted offer through closing. Much of the week goes to following up with leads and past clients.
Does a real estate agent job description need to mention licensing?
Yes. State the required license and, if relevant, whether you sponsor new licensees. Commission structure and split should also be clear, since pay is rarely salaried.
Is real estate agent a good entry-level job?
It's accessible with a license and no degree, but income is commission-based and slow to start. New agents typically need savings or a second income while they build a client base.