Add:Patience

      Tolerance

        Sense of Humor

          Hand cuffs

Great subject Howard!

I'm inclined to go with "Listening". Good listening skills will help you excel in many other (important) things like, negotiations, networking, marketing, presentation, etc.

This is a people business. Of course one needs market knowledge, understanding of real estate law, contracts, etc. But if you can't deal with people -- buyers, sellers, other agents, title, escrow, attorneys, brokers, telemarketers, annoying SEO phone calls, inspectors, appraisers, etc etc then all the market knowledge in the world isn't going to help you be successful.

People skills. That is *crucial*. And most "experts" will tell you that listening skills are the fundamental building block leading to superior people skills.

Can't wait to hear what others have to say!

I agree with Jay, I believe it is listening as well.  and listening with your whole body.

However, a close second for me, is Sense of Humor.  Face it we spend very close, intense,  personal time with our clients (whether buying or selling) dealing with a highly charged emotional subject, their biggest investment and where they are going to shelter themselves.  Having a sense of humor can make it all better.  Like a kiss from mom when your boo-boo hurt!!

shelly

I believe, with all my heart, that the skill most needed in any sort of sales is persistence. Period. Everything else is useless if you're product isn't out there

BTW Howard, good post!

Hi Howard. Excellent post! I agree with Jay and Shelly. I think listening is the most important. But I also think sales skills are a very close second.

I believe one should use listening and sales skills jointly. I think sales skills would also include negotiations, organization, presentation, reputation, etc... Use those skills guided by the fiduciary responsibility and some of Anna's persistence will ultimately aid them in achieving their clients’ goals.

<Phone Skills>

I see many agents fail or fail to reach their potential as they suffer from "phonephobia".  They are afraid to call past customers and leads to get the business.  As the business shifts and we finalize ourselves inot becoming a commodity for the conusmer the timid will not survive.  We seem to be moving to more of a Pharmacuetical Sales or Insurance business model and phone skills are key. IMHO

Howard, I want to add John's phone skills too to my post. LOL

This isn't a skill, it is a condition ..... thick skin.  :)

Ok, Howard, I am ready for my serious response. Communication, and, of course, that includes listening. Velda needs my hand cuffs. Craig is copying.

Well, do you disagree???   :)

You can't go home and night and beat yourself up or you won't get out of bed the next morning.  Gotta roll with the punches.

Ok, I'll add a more serious one ... I think you need to be a bit of a risk taker.

oops... "at night"

Yes Velda, I so agree, tough skin, broad shoulders...

Gotta be a risk taker at night Velda? LOL

Nope, I don't Velda. I agree you've got have thick skin. Internalizing conflict will drive you bonkers for sure.

Sense of timing. You gotta know when to hold 'em and fold 'em. When to walk away and when to close the deal.

You also have to be an optimist and not take rejection personally. Show business background helps that, already beaten and battered LOL

I know, think before pulling the darn trigger.

Generosity.

You're still enjoying it Howard? You have better will power than I do. I would have sucked it down the first week!

Communication skills are paramount because if communication breaks down, professionalism may collapse and everyone suffers.

"No Bloviating about how great you are"

"Remember you are Not number One"

"All the rest should fall in place then "

Vancemuppet

That is smooooth Howard ! (You)

What about good old fashioned common sence?

I am amazed at the number of agent I run into that must have been born without it.

Dancing Disco With Candice should do It ...ha ha

Yup, if you can disco with me you will have all the skills you need to succeed in life. :)