Here are the four strategies you need to succeed in real estate: adaptability, relationships, persistence, and lifelong learning.

Experience really is the best teacher. After 27 years in the real estate industry, I’ve learned a lot of lessons, some the easy way while others were very expensive mistakes I’d rather not repeat. Today, I’m sharing the most important takeaways from my time in the industry.

1. The market doesn’t care what I think should happen. I learned early on that the market moves based on data, supply and demand, and buyer behavior. My job isn’t to predict; it’s about how to adapt. If you don’t adjust, you get left behind. You can know every statistic, every interest rate shift, and every market trend, but if people don’t trust you, they won’t work with you.

2. Client relationships come first, deals second. Sometimes, a deal just isn’t worth it. Whether it’s a difficult client, unrealistic expectations, or terms that make your gut scream “run,” walking away is okay and is often the smartest move. Saying no to a bad deal frees you up to find better opportunities down the road.

“Real estate is about relationships first and deals second.”

3. Show up every single day. Agents who succeed are the ones who build pipelines and stay top-of-mind and don’t do it overnight. They do it through consistent effort: follow-ups, networking, and being everywhere your clients are. Being present builds trust and keeps you front and center when someone’s ready to buy or sell.

4. Never stop learning. Agents don’t just sell homes; they keep learning, growing, and improving. If you’re not investing in mentorship, coaching, and marketing, you’re falling behind. Stay hungry for knowledge and invest in yourself to stay ahead of the curve.

Real estate will humble you, challenge you, and push you, which makes it exciting. If you’ve learned a lesson or two in this business, drop it in the comments below and continue the conversation. You can contact me at (517) 343-1760 or send us an email at jeff@jeffburkecoaching.com. Let’s help each other grow.