“New construction is a major part of most markets. Not knowing new construction is a handicap to your career.” — Tim & Julie Harris

Success is not easy, but it’s also not complicated. To build a sustainable, profitable, consistent business, you must get granular: Chunk things down into manageable pieces.

The real estate industry is beyond crowded — how can you cut through all that noise to stand out? Top coach Krista Mashore has tips.

When was the last time you saw a pro sports team allow any athlete on the field without learning the playbook? Exactly! Welcome to real estate.

“As a real estate agent, it is difficult to break into luxury home sales,” writes Michael LaFido, founder of the LUXE Designation. “If you’re trying to ‘break into selling luxury homes,’ my advice is to attend other agents’ luxury broker open houses in your market.”

“There has been a lot of change that we all have experienced in the last few years. While change is a constant, the depth and breadth of the change has been historic. With all the change and challenge, foundational truths still apply in the real estate business.” — Dirk Zeller, CEO, Real Estate Champions

“It’s possible to have a thriving business without 80-hour weeks and burnout by choosing to work by relationship and referral. Agents who grow by nurturing their database dictate their schedule, work manageable hours and are better equipped for market shifts.” — Marki Lemons-Ryhal, owner, ReMarkitable LLC

Hard work is important, but what’s even more important is strategically doing the right activities and balancing those activities with plenty of rest.

“If you want to be a true success as a Realtor, you must understand that how you present, react and treat others is the foundation of your business.” — Collette McDonald

Top Coach is a unique feature which highlights different agent voices across the nation. These contributors write about what interests and offer pertinent advice in this changing market.