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09/06/2020

*5 Minute Farmers - Now In KGCP*

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18/10/2016

Tips for Effective Open House Advertising

Before reading the following tips for effective open house advertising, there are a few things you should consider. Some real estate agents believe open houses are unnecessary because they take up so much time. However, experienced agents know that while most homes do not sell because of open houses, they are a good source for buyer leads. Successful real estate agents either have lots of good listings and/or many qualified buyers.

Web page
If your company website can build separate web pages for every listing, take advantage by making sure the web page has quality photos of every room in the house, the front and back yards, and any special features. When buyers attend open houses, they tend to take mobile phone photos to remember the house. Give them a flyer with the web page URL so they can see better photos of the entire house online.

Online open house advertising
Advertise open houses on popular real estate sites like Yahoo and Google portals. Realtor.com lists open houses as a feature, including sales price with directions and maps where you can post. You can also advertise in real estate forums and blogs.

Signs, signs, and more signs
Some real estate agents put up at least 20 signs a few hours before the open house on all nearby main streets and all street corners leading to the house. The more signs the better. Besides the standard company “For Sale” signs, you should also have “Open House” signs. In addition, you can purchase sign riders, which are available at home improvement stores. They attach on top of the “For Sale” signs with pre-printed “Open House Sunday” (or Saturday).

Balloons, drones, and sky puppets
Yes, colorful balloons next to the signs attract attention. Securely attach them so they do not fly away. Some cities have private drone companies where you can rent a drone to hover over the house holding an “Open House” banner, which will really draw a crowd. Even the old-fashioned air-filled sky puppets in front of the house get noticed.

Social media advertising
You should have two Facebook accounts (personal and real estate agent). Advertise all your listings and open houses in your business account. Include a few photos of the home in a boosted Facebook post linking to a landing page where visitors can learn more about the home and fill out a contact sheet for notification when the open house takes place. This is a great way to generate real estate leads for you and draw attention to the open house.
Tweet everyone you know with a special hashtag ( #) unique to the house. Instagram your best photos showing all the unique features of your open house. Instagram allows you to post images directly to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, and Foursquare. Businesses use Pinterest to market their products, including listings and open houses.

Open house for brokers
Hold a brokers’ open house (for real estate agents only) on a different day. Make a list of every agent who sold a house in the neighborhood in the past year and invite them. Include all the agents’ offices closest to the house. Serve refreshments and for your guests. This leaves a lasting positive impression.

Newspaper ads (print and online)
Lastly, do not forget about old-fashioned advertising. People still read local newspaper classifieds. Community newspapers are also good for placing ads for your open house. Online local and community newspapers are growing and usually have low-priced classifieds.

17/10/2016

Common Home Selling Mistakes New Agents Face

Everyone makes mistakes—even the most seasoned real estate professionals. Perhaps what sets the great listing agents apart from the not-so-great ones is that that they learned from their mistakes early on. Will you make home selling mistakes as a new agent? Absolutely. But you will also learn valuable lessons that will make you a better, stronger agent. Here are five common home selling mistakes that new real estate agents face.

Mispricing a home
Especially at the upper end, mispricing a home can end in disaster for the seller. Agents who specialize in luxury homes have to know how to price those homes. Readjusting the price is an expensive process. When you adjust the price of a home, you do not just revise the listing. You have to re-launch your entire marketing program, including the website.

Skipping the pre-listing inspection
Not going the extra mile to determine the right price is another common mistake. If the home is in a neighborhood where there have not been any recent sales, and/or the property is unusual for that neighborhood, your comps might be sketchy, and might paint an inaccurate picture. Agents should insist that the seller get the home into tiptop shape, and have it inspected, before listing it. The seller will sometimes dispute the inspector, if something comes up as substandard. Of course if the seller disagrees with the inspector, they should tell you—but they need to know that the inspector’s word is final.

Poor timing
Agents should also be certain that this is the right time for the client to sell. If they sell now, will they be hit with a tax event that they could avoid by waiting? Are they really eager to sell, and motivated, or will they be content to let the house linger on the market? Will they be ready to move out quickly if necessary? Do they have a deadline?

Poor home staging
Poor staging of the house is another common mistake. Each room should have some furniture and decoration, but it should not look like it belongs to anyone. Also, remember to sell the outside of the home as well as the inside. Many agents forget about a home’s curb appeal, so they do not bother to make the lawn, porch, garage, and deck look beautiful. And hire a professional photographer who knows how to make a home look good on the internet.

Poor advertising
As soon as a home is ready to be put on the market—before it’s listed—the agent should have a list of several potential buyers and should call them in person. Equally important, though, is to use all marketing avenues—print media, word of mouth, and especially the internet—to the fullest.

14/10/2016

Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Making a Great First Impression

First impressions are everything—especially in the real estate industry, where the success of your business is directly correlated to the relationships you build. You only have one chance to make a great first impression, so it is important to keep this in your mind when meeting new real estate prospects. Here are five ways to make sure that your first impression as a real estate professional makes a positive impact.

1. Prepare talking points
When meeting new real estate clients, you want to do your homework and find out who you are meeting, what they are looking for, and anything about them that could become a talking point to keep a healthy flow of conversation. In the sales industry, this is often called “lead intelligence.”

2. Be mindful of body language
Body language often says more than words. When you first meet a real estate client, it is perfectly normal to be a little nervous. But you do not want this nervousness to become overwhelming. Your body language should show that you are confident and comfortable.
Simple poses can improve your confidence. Before your meeting, take long strides, sit up straight, and walk with your chest high—even if this is not your usual way of being. If you are meeting an especially important client, it may be helpful to videotape yourself to see how you look to others. You could also practice with a real estate mentor or colleague to gain feedback on how you can improve.

3. Find common ground
The easiest way to make a great first impression is to find common ground so that you are relatable. You do not need to get too technical with this, either. The common ground could be that you like the same sports teams, went to the same college, or have children the same age. You just need to establish a connection on a human level. Take a peek at your client’s social media pages to get an inside scoop on what could become a talking point.

4. Be engaging and engage
Do not feel like you have to impress your client with an overbearing amount of knowledge. You do not need to wow your client, but you do need to create a conversation that is natural and memorable. Listen to what your client has to say and make them feel comfortable. People love to talk about themselves, their family, and even their pets. So utilize that tool and be sure to ask open-ended and thoughtful questions. Make your real estate–related questions open-ended as well.

5. Play up strengths
Ask colleagues and friends you trust to tell you what they see as your strengths and most likable qualities. Emphasize these strengths in your initial meeting with clients to ensure a successful first impression. Think about compliments you often receive, and highlight these things when you first meet a new real estate client.

Good relationships are a key driver in being a successful agent. The more comfortable and sincere you are in your first meeting, the more likely you will be to make a great first impression, and the more successful you will be in the real estate industry.

14/10/2016

Finding a Real Estate Mentor and Cultivating a Successful Relationship

As a new real estate agent, you have been doing all of the “right” things to launch your career. You are networking. You are learning about your market. You are working on a prospects list. Still, getting started in real estate can be challenging, especially in the first year or so. Finding a real estate mentor and cultivating a successful relationship could help you out tremendously by enhancing your ability to launch a long, successful real estate career.

How real estate mentoring works
A real estate mentor is an adviser. He or she offers advice and feedback when it is needed. This is not an apprenticeship wherein you will learn a trade. Do not look for a mentor hoping they will teach you everything you need to know to be successful. Instead, it is important to look for someone with whom to create a long-term relationship. You cannot be mentored in a few weeks or months; it is a process—not an internship. And it has to develop naturally.

Finding a real estate mentor
You do not want to look for someone who simply has the job you want, or the success you would like to attain. Find someone with whom you share similarities, someone with the skills and strengths you would like to hone. Do not be in a hurry; it may take some time to find the right person. You might consider more than one person before deciding on who you ultimately want to approach.

Let the relationship evolve naturally
Do not force the mentoring relationship, but let it evolve. Keep your expectations in check. Like other relationships, it has to grow over time, based on mutual trust and respect. Forcing it risks ruining a potential mentoring relationship before it can become established. Take the time to nurture it.

Do not go when the going gets tough
At some point, you are going to get some critical feedback from your real estate mentor. This is a good thing, because it means the relationship has become comfortable enough for him or her to call you out on something. Remember: Your reaction when that happens is crucial to your growth. Do your best to accept the criticism gracefully and heed your mentor’s advice. After all, getting better at being a real estate agent is your goal—and nobody ever said it would be easy. This is what will ultimately make you grow as a real estate professional.

Commit to the mentor relationship
Mentoring takes real time and real work, so once you make the commitment, stick with it. You and your mentor should both be in it for the long haul. Finding a real estate mentor, cultivating a strong mentor relationship, and adding it to your career strategy will help ensure that your real estate career is a success.

13/10/2016

Handling Typical Buyer Objections

Dealing with home buyers and buyer objections can be frustrating. Sometimes it seems like buyers are just looking around. When first encountering potential clients, they may seem defensive by not trusting real estate agents. Before engaging home buyers, try making friends with mortgage lenders, as they can qualify buyers for you. When finding out they qualify, buyers will be grateful to you.
Experienced real estate agents have answers for all buyer objections. The following list of typical buyer objections offers you multiple replies, which can convert reluctant home buyers into clients.

1. “We are just looking.”
Reply: I am pleased to hear that. You should look at all your options before buying anything. Curiously, what type of home are you looking for?
Reply: OK. How many houses have you seen so far?

2. “We are just starting to look around.”
Reply: That is good; I am pleased we’re meeting now. Has a real estate agent explained the home buying process or current market conditions to you?
Reply: You are starting at the right time. What are you looking for?
Reply: Great! The first step is to know what you can afford. Have you met with a lender?

3. “We already have a friend who is a real estate agent.”
Reply: Does that mean you feel obliged to be represented by your friend, or are you free to work with another agent who can find you the ideal home?
Reply: You would be an exception if you did not have a friend in this business. Do you know that only 10% of all agents handle 90% of the sales in this market? Is your friend in the 10% as I am (or “my company is”)?

4. “I do not think we have good enough credit.”
Reply: Are you sure? Have you met with a lender yet?
Reply: I understand. Do you know that some lenders have easier credit requirements? It will be worth your time to meet with a lender to see what type of a loan you can qualify for.
Reply: It is common to be unsure about your credit. Most of my clients had better credit than they thought. If you have any credit issues, a mortgage lender can help you fix them. Can I ask a lender I trust to call you?

5. “First, we have to sell our house.”
Reply: Would it help to know how much your home is worth while searching for a new one?
Reply: Has a lender advised you whether you can qualify to buy a new home before selling your home?

6. “We are not ready now. We’ will wait.”
Reply: When do you want to move into a new home?
Reply: Do you have to sell your current home before buying a new one?
Reply: I understand. There is a lot of work to do before buying a new home, like selling your current one, dealing with lenders, finding a new home, insurance, repairs, etc. Can I help you with all that? It won’t cost you anything.

7. “We are not ready to work with an agent yet.”
Reply: OK. How do you plan to find your next home? Would it help if you can look at all homes for sale meeting your criteria on your computer first? Then you can contact me to show you the ones you like.
Reply: Do you have to sell your current home first?
Reply: Many of my clients felt the same way at first. Then, after spending hours driving around looking at houses they found online, they got tired and frustrated. How about letting me set up your own custom online search? Then you will only look at homes meeting your criteria. When you find some you want to see, call me and I can show you the inside. I can even have an email sent to you instantly when a new listing comes up meeting your criteria. That way you can be one of the first to see it.

8. “We are looking for a friend/relative.”
Reply: Fantastic, what is your friend/relative looking for?
Reply: Would it be easier if I set up your friend/relative with an online search of all the homes for sale meeting his/her criteria? Then just call me when you want to see the entire house.

9. “Are you willing to reduce your commission?”
Reply: No, that’s because the seller pays the commission. So, you won’t have to pay any commissions!
Reply: No. That’s because the sellers agree to pay their agent a commission, who then shares it with me when you buy the home. You won’t have to pay me anything.

This list gives you options to handle various buyer objections you are likely to encounter. Each demonstrates the advantages of using a real estate agent. Steering buyers to a lender who pre-qualifies them creates trust in your professionalism. Remember: the best agents have answers for any and all buyer objections thrown at them. So be prepared.

07/10/2016

How to Get a Real Estate License in 6 Steps

If you are considering a career in real estate it is important to understand how to get a real estate license. The good news is that the path to becoming a real estate agent is quicker than most careers. Broadly speaking, there are 7 steps in the licensing process; however, please note that each state’s licensure law requirements may be different. Also, the steps you take to get your real estate license may be in a different order.

1.Research the real estate license requirements and eligibility for the state you live in
Real estate licensing law varies by state. All states require pre-licensing education and a passing score on the state exam. Each state has eligibility requirements as well. Before proceeding, make sure you can meet the minimum qualifications for a real estate license in your state. Below is a sample list of requirements and eligibility that may or may not be applicable in your state. Again, this widely varies state by state, so make sure you do the research first:
• Real estate pre-licensing education from an accredited school or a real estate degree from an accredited college or university
• Pass the state exam
• Fingerprinting
• Criminal history background check
• File and pay for license application
• Minimum age (18 or 19)
• State residency
• High school/GED
• Student loan default

2. Complete your real estate pre-licensing education
Once you have done your research on state licensing requirements, you will know what the education requirements are. If you have a degree in real estate, are a licensed attorney, or have a real estate license in another state, your education requirements may be different. For everyone else though, here is what you can expect:
• Enroll in an accredited real estate school, licensed in your state.
• Complete the required number of hours of real estate education. Every state is different. For instance, Colorado requires 168 hours, and Missouri requires just 48 hours.
• Complete an exam prep course, if available in your state. This will prepare you for the state exam so you can pass the first time.
• Obtain official transcripts or a certificate of completion from the school, which will be required for your license application.

3. Application and fees
You must complete your state’s real estate license application and pay applicable fees. Forms and fee information will be found on your state’s government real estate commission website.

4. Pass the exam
Now you get to sit for the real estate state exam and pass it. Here is where your pre-license education and exam prep come in. Make sure you check the real estate school’s exam pass rate in your state – you want to make sure the education you receive will actually help you pass the exam.

5. Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting
Most states will require a criminal background check and fingerprinting. After all, you are handling financial transactions. There are required fees to be paid for these services and processing time is involved, so plan accordingly. You will be able to find information on satisfying these requirements on your state’s real estate commission website.

6. Select a sponsoring or managing broker
You are required to work with a sponsoring or managing broker for the first 2 (or more) years of your real estate career. Although you technically work for yourself, you cannot work independently when you are first starting off. You will need to work on the behalf of a real estate broker who is licensed to sponsor or manage those working for his/her brokerage firm.

05/10/2016

How to Land Your First Real Estate Listing

Getting started in real estate is no easy task, and many new real estate agents simply are not prepared for the hard work that goes into creating a successful career. Building a solid real estate business takes hard work and commitment, particularly when it comes to obtaining an initial real estate listing. Other than just “getting your name out there,” what steps can a newly minted real estate agent take to create a strong foundation for success and land that first listing?

Build your knowledge base
Make sure you sound like an expert by staying on top of what is happening locally. Read about the area’s real estate market and be active on social media to find out what is happening in the community. Stay on top of where new housing developments are being built and what new companies might be coming to town. Pay attention to home-buying statistics and other real estate news you can share with prospects.
Do not let being new to the industry deter you. People appreciate enthusiasm, and many are inclined to give newbies a chance. If you do not have the answer to a question, say so and indicate that you know where to get it—and make sure you follow through with that.

Be observant. Listen carefully when people talk, and perhaps you will hear something that indicates they are getting ready to sell. Note if they are going through any kind of family change that might necessitate a change in housing, such as a new baby or a divorce. Pay attention as you are driving around your neighborhood and observe which houses are looking improved.

Build a database of potential clients
Creating a database of prospects is a no-brainer when it comes to building a business, particularly in real estate. Start with the people you know and continue to add the people you meet, putting as much information as possible into your contact management system. Try to categorize your real estate prospects as first-time homebuyers or empty-nesters, investors or move-up buyers, and so on. This will help you act quickly if you come across an opportunity—or if they need to sell.
Start with family members, then add friends and colleagues. Include people you know from church, the gym, school, and work. Include people you might not see all that often, such as neighbors and other acquaintances. Include people you give your business to, such as your dry cleaner, your hair stylist, and your auto mechanic. Join networking groups where you can connect with potential clients—and add those people as well.

Specialize in a certain area or type of real estate listing
Avoid spreading yourself too thin by focusing on a specialty, either in terms of location or type of real estate listing. Building a business will help you keep your time, advertising costs, and other factors in check. Many real estate agents chose a neighborhood to farm. If you do that, you might start a website or create a page for your chosen neighborhood and encourage people to post garage sale items, babysitting needs, service recommendations, and community events. When the weather is nice, walk the neighborhood and get to know its residents. Hand out flyers or recipes or holiday treats.
Other real estate agents choose a certain type of real estate listing to specialize in, such as older homes in a historic district, or condos and townhomes, or new homes in a particular community. Establish yourself as an “expert” in one of these real estate niches and become the go-to agent for a specific type of property.

Whatever you do, do it consistently. And do not lose hope. Landing your first real estate listing is one of the biggest challenges you will face as a new agent. But if you follow these suggestions and work hard at creating relationships with potential real estate clients, you can build a solid career for yourself in this business.

05/10/2016

Topics for Your Real Estate Blog

Starting a real estate blog is one of the best ways to market your real estate business. It can help you sell more homes, showcase you as an industry leader in your local market, and, best of all, help produce leads 24/7.
Coming up with interesting topics for your real estate blog can be challenging. Make sure that every blog post provides value to your readers. Maintain your real estate blog with fresh and interesting content, and, most importantly, content that is appreciated by your audience.
Here are some real estate blog topics that can help you attract new real estate prospects and grow your real estate business.

1. Write about your local real estate market
2. Talk about local market points of interest
3. Blog about your target audiences(sellers, buyers, investors, etc.)
4. Give home maintenance tips on your real estate blog
5. Write about your listings
6. Give insights about the future
7. Explain different real estate topics
8. Discuss current trends

03/10/2016

Best TED Talks for New Real Estate Agents

You have crammed, passed the real estate exam, and earned your real estate license—and that just might be the easy part. Being a real estate agent takes confidence, thick skin and resiliency. The following are five of the best TED Talks for new real estate agents. These will inspire and motivate you—and prepare your mind to step into your new career in real estate.

Smash fear, learn anything
Starting a new career is scary and intimidating. Starting a career in an industry that can be as volatile as real estate can feel like you are leaping off a cliff into the unknown. In this informative TED Talk, productivity guru and author of the bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss, offers information for overcoming your biggest fears so that you can go on to learn and succeed at anything.

How to speak so that people want to listen
As a new, inexperienced agent, it can feel like no one, from clients to colleagues in the office, is listening to you. In less than 10 minutes, Julian Treasure offers the seven deadly sins that could be destroying your credibility and steps you can take to speak with power, confidence, and authority so that people truly hear what you have to say.

Your body language shapes who you are
As with any new career, you may be lacking confidence in your ability to succeed, and that is perfectly normal. In this presentation, social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how to fake it until you make it, using “power posing” to make you appear—and eventually feel—more confident.

Which do you think are the best TED Talks?
Have you come across any TED Talks that have changed the way you think about your real estate career? In your opinion, which are the best TED Talks for real estate agents? Please share your favorite TED Talks in the comments section so that the rest of us can enjoy them.

30/09/2016

How to Write Inspiring Real Estate Listing Descriptions

When doing business in real estate, one great skill you need is the ability to write inspiring real estate listing descriptions that sell properties fast. Some people are scared of the word “selling” as it is not their nature to sell. However, being a real estate agent requires you to be a great seller.
One important thing to remember is that properties can practically sell themselves—as long as they are priced right, promoted correctly, and the property listing description plainly conveys why it is the bargain of a lifetime. Use inspiring ad copy to convey an opportunity that a buyer would be nuts not to take advantage of.

Basic structure for writing real estate listing descriptions
The first thing about writing compelling real estate ads is not to look like everyone else. Property listings tend to all look the same. Do not blend in with the crowd, as you will not be noticed. Let us begin with the basic structure for all ads:
* Headline
* Opening statement
* Narrative description of features
* Special promotion
Guidelines for crafting stand-out listing descriptions

Headline
Posting your real estate listing descriptions on websites like Craigslist, eBay Classifieds, and Backpage requires an eye-catching, different-looking headline. Since you only have one shot to get a buyer to notice your ad in a split second, come up with a way to stand out from the crowd. Can you make a reader do a double take? Can you make your headline stick out like a sore thumb? Look at typical real estate ads, and you will notice they tend to be similar and boring. How would you react if you read an ad among 24 others that is in Capital letters and says, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? 12 Acres of Wooded Land for HOW MUCH?” If you were looking for raw land, would you click on it?
You must write headlines that look different to catch attention. Your headline must stand out in a crowd. It must be noticed.

Opening statement
Get right to the point in your first sentence. Inform your readers immediately what this real estate ad is all about. You can write something like this:
“You will love this stunning 3-story home located 2 blocks from Broadmoor Elementary in downtown Preston.” Or “Come see this pleasant Tudor home with an open kitchen plan and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.” These two opening statements answer what a reader often asks (“What am I looking at?”) and gives them a reason to continue reading.

Narrative description of features
Let the fun begin. In this section, you should do two things: (1) list the property’s primary features, and (2) provide an inspiring and compelling description.
1. Primary features include: number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, lot size, location, extras (pool, garden, fireplace, etc.), recent renovations (appliances, doors, floors, etc.), and unique characteristics (lakefront lot, scenic views, etc.
2. Example #1: Typical ad copy
“Air conditioning unit, new furnace, all appliances included. Basement walks out to fenced backyard. Huge deck in back. Lots of updates.”

Special promotion
If your goal is to sell your listing fast, a special promotion can give your readers an incentive to take action. Here are some examples:
* Offer a small discount from the sales price for a limited time.
* Offer 100% of the buyer’s closing costs for a limited time.
* Offer seller financing. This is always attractive, as banks require too many documents and questions.
* Offer either a lease purchase or rent-to-own.
These are just a few promotions you might include in your real estate listing descriptions. Feel free to be creative with incentives.