Getting started in real estate can be fun and exciting…but it’s not always easy. Especially in areas where realtors seem to be a proverbial dime-a-dozen, new agents can have a hard time standing out in the crowd. It takes a lot of work, in the beginning, to get one’s name out there front and center AND plenty of consistent work to keep it there.
Marketing and Branding
Marketing and branding. Those are certainly two “buzz” words of the 21st century. We hear them all the time, associated with products and services of all sorts.
Anyone in the real estate business should do their best to establish a “brand”, which is defined as a name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s goods or services as distinct from
If you’re a real estate agent, chances are you’ve had your share of sellers who’ve hounded you to hold an open house – or two or three – at their property. Or, if you’re a seller, maybe you’ve been the hounder – convinced that the only way you’re going to sell your property in a timely manner is to show it to the world via a Sunday open house.
Facts show, however, that an open house isn’t really necessary in precipitating the sale of a particular home, especially if the home is already priced right, is clean and attractive, and is readily available for showings.
However, realtors often have different reasons for hosting open houses. Such events can help the listing agent gain more clients by allowing him/her to prospect visitors that come into
In the real estate world, we’d like to think that every transaction will go off without a hitch. But if you’ve been a realtor for a while – or if you’ve been a home buyer or seller – you know that it’s often not the case. While stress-free deals are what we all hope for, the proverbial monkey wrench is usually thrown into the mix and – boom! – there’s trouble up ahead.
When you’re new to the real estate world, and you’re working on one of your first transactions, breaking the bad news to your clients becomes a thing of great fear. You’re not sure how they’re going to react about the news and – worst of all – you believe they’re going to think it’s your fault, even if that’s far from the truth. You worry about losing commission, losing the customer,
Technology has changed the face of real estate and the role of a real estate agent, especially when it comes to buyers. With tools such as Trulia and Zillow, most potential home buyers now turn to the internet to “see what’s out there” rather than stopping by your office and asking for an overview of what’s on the market. (Remember the old days when you would pull out the most current MLS and thumb through it together?)
As real estate agents, we know, of course, that that internet real estate sites are far from accurate. In many cases, the homes advertised have long been sold or have been removed from the market. The chances are that the buyer is probably wasting lots of time surfing through the pages of that site, only to be disappointed when
Selling and listing houses isn’t easy. It’s a job that takes a ton of hard work and eats up lots of time. Realtors certainly don’t work the 9-5 beat! Successful agents go the extra yard to make a transaction a good one, whether working with the buyer, seller, or both.
But there are always those clients that seem to know how to throw a monkey wrench in the works. They’re frustrating and can make you angry, especially if you feel as if they’re sabotaging a deal or ruining your working relationship.
Sometimes, these clients just don’t know any better, and it’s up to us – the agents – to try to educate them on the rudiments of buying and selling and on the importance of the relationship between client and agent. If you don’t take the time to do
In the United States, there are tens of thousands of real estate agents. Not all are full-time agents. Many people “dabble” in real estate while others work hard to support their families. Some are quite good at what they do while others continue to struggle, even in good markets.
So, what’s the difference between a highly-successful agent and one that continues to flounder? Often, the answer comes in one word: commitment. And with that commitment comes a number of habits that, if employed regularly, can help an agent increase their success exponentially.
Be Responsive
A top-notch agent communicates with clients often and effectively.
You need to be willing to spend some time on the old telephone! A successful agent responds to
What realtor wouldn’t love to nab a piece of the luxury market? Just imagine those commissions! Think about it. Just one or two checks could have you living “high on the hog”, help you pay those private school tuition bills, and send you on your next amazing vacation.
But tackling the luxury real estate market isn’t easy…and you should never expect it to be. Those who enter the luxury market expecting it to be no different than the “normal” market are in for a lot of surprises. Listing and selling a luxury home is a whole different ball game, so to speak, and you need to make sure you’re prepared for the curve balls or you’ll be in for plenty of disappointment…and so will the clients who hire you, if you manage to acquire any.
With adults over the age of 50 representing nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, more and more realtors find themselves working with older Americans, either in the selling or buying process…or both. While being over 50 certainly doesn’t represent being “old,” as individuals start to creep towards their 60s and 70s, they begin to view things differently, including homeownership and what it is they’re looking for in that place they will call “home” during their golden years.
Indeed, for older adults, “home” can mean several different things. For some, there will be little or no change in the status quo. Many are happy with where and how they live now and are intent on keeping things the same. Some will look to downsize. Others will look for a
Today’s realtors simply must have an online presence. Being visible online means you are easier to find, that you will be able to grow your database more quickly, that you can build your brand in front of millions, and – of course – that you will likely increase your profits. Gone are the days of newspaper ads, and fewer and fewer home buyers call the number on a sign posted in front of a particular house. They look for homes online and, often, they seek out real estate agents that way as well.
So, what’s the best way to build an online presence? Well, there’s not really ONE best way. It’s essential to spread your online personality across many platforms so that you are visible to the highest possible number of potential clients, including both
So, business is booming. That’s great news! That likely means commissions are up and that your wallet is feeling pretty good about what’s happening.
But with increased business comes increased stress and responsibilities. No matter how good it might feel to have those extra dollars, the chances are that arise in business also means the need to spend more time helping clients, allowing you less free time to enjoy leisure activities or to cultivate other aspects of your career.
So maybe it’s time to hire an assistant.
Think about it. With the help of some new hands, you can provide yourself with 3, 4, 5 hours a day of extra time. Consider the fact that hiring an assistant for even 10-15 hours a week is like adding those hours to your week. All
