The saying “good things come to those who wait!” doesn’t necessarily apply to those making a career transition. A career switch requires a ton of thought and proactive hard work to figure out what you want and how to get there!
Becoming a Transaction Coordinator who will assist Real Estate Agents with their daily tasks is simple and rewarding. In just a few straightforward steps, you could be working from home and enjoying all the flexibility transaction coordination has to offer.
Are You Ready to Make a Career Transition Into Transaction Coordination?
There are a few key signs you’re ready for the role of Transaction Coordinator. A career transition can be scary, but helps to feel certain that you’re prepared for all the hard work and change that’s to come.
Here are two sure signs you can leap into action as a Transaction Coordinator.
You Need to Know What a TC Does
Transaction Coordinators play an important role in real estate. They assist real estate agents with numerous computer tasks to help home-buyers and sellers complete their residence-switch journey.
Some transaction coordination responsibilities include:
- Preparing legal documents
- Collecting signatures
- Contacting insurance agents
- Recording and filing transactions
- Acting as a liaison between realtors, clients, and other essential parties
You’ll need a strong foundational knowledge of TC software, including the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and electronic signature programs.
I recommend trying HelloSign, Eversign, and DocuSign! Figure out which one works best for you. With all three tools, you’ll upload a PDF version of the document, mark places where signatures or initials are needed, and send it to the agent or their clients.
A career as Transaction Coordinator looks very similar to a Virtual Assistant role. However, the specific real estate niche often makes it easier for TCs to find work and become exceptional at their jobs!
Previous Real Estate Experience Will Help You Out!
Any background real-estate knowledge you have will contribute to your career transition into transaction coordination. It’s not uncommon for real estate agents, housing lawyers, and other real estate professionals to switch roles to Transaction Coordinator because of the increased flexibility and opportunities.
Prior experience drafting other sorts of legal documents can help with transaction coordination, too. (It doesn’t take much to apply housing rules to established legal knowledge.) Some people even follow real estate law and dips or jumps in the market just for fun!
The bottom line: if you understand the housing market and work well under pressure, you may thrive as a Transaction Coordinator.
How Make a Career Transition and Become a TC
If you think you might be a good fit to become a Transaction Coordinator, these tips will help you get there. A career transition isn’t going to be as challenging as you may think!
Make a Plan Forward
Take a minute to brainstorm and write out a plan. Ask yourself what sort of educational gaps or missing skills you need to acquire before working as a Transaction Coordinator.
Outline ways to make connections! (The difficulty of this will depend on your prior experience in real estate.) It always helps to know who you can turn to or where you might start your new professional journey.
Check and Fulfill Your License Requirements
Make arrangements to complete your real estate license if it’s required in your state. The process may include an application, online or in-person courses, and a final examination.
Some states don’t require a real estate license at all… so do your research! There are specified alternatives to a full license that will help you become more familiar and prepared to take on the rigor of the real estate industry.
Decide If You Want to Start Your Own Business or Join a Brokerage
Do you envision being your own boss—striking out on your own to find and manage work opportunities? Or do you want to join a team and have others work out the logistics?
There are pros and cons to both options. Signing on to a brokerage means constant access to educational and networking opportunities. But working independently means you’ll have to search for a support circle and client pool all on your own—with the power to turn people away and design your own work culture and schedule.
Related: 3 Different Roles Involved In The Real Estate Transaction Process
Reach Out to Your Network To Prepare For Your Career Transition
You never want to jump without a safety net! For your career transition, you need to have work opportunities in your sights, or at least some knowledge of high demand in the area.
Inform your inner circle—the real estate agents and professionals you know and trust—that you’re considering a switch to transaction coordination. See how many nearby agents are interested in your services so you have a client pool on standby when your feet leave the floor.
Adjust Your Resume and Cover Letter As Needed
Spend adequate time revising and editing your Transaction Coordinator resume. After all, it’s not just what you say, but how you say it that matters.
Highlight the skills that lend themselves to a career in transaction coordination. Remove outdated and irrelevant work experience in favor of experiences that show how detail-oriented and responsible you are!
Be sure to mention your aspirations for a career transition in your summary. This way, hiring agents see that you’re taking the change seriously and it’s not a decision you happened upon overnight.
A career transition into transaction coordination is easier than you think. If you have a background in real estate, a role as Transaction Coordinator can offer you more freedom and rewards than your existing role.
