Real Estate and You – What’s the Path to Success? Part 1

Part One – Use your resources  

You’ve decided to start a new career in Real Estate, you’ve attended classes, passed your licensing test and chose a company to work with. Congratulations! But now what do you do?

Get Business Cards, a website, a contact management program, mail postcards, get a newsletter, a brochure, knock on doors, give out “stuff” with your name on it, take out ads in Real Estate Magazines? Sounds like a very expensive experiment in trying to gain exposure, doesn’t it? And yet – too many new agents do just that – experiment while trying to find what works.

Instead of  running full steam ahead in the marketing/advertising/exposure department, and scattering money all over – sit down and make a plan. There are some do’s and don’ts to this process. And they do not mean that you need to go broke while getting there!

Start with/at the beginning. Sounds too simple, doesn’t it? Yet it’s often overlooked. What does it mean? It just means – start with the first step, and that’s usually the company you chose. What are the reasons you chose this particular company? Was it because of their reputation? Size? Offered Training? Benefits? Leads? Or because someone you know is working there? 

Whatever the reason – take advantage of what your company has to offer. Be it some free or fairly inexpensive business cards to start out with, training – either through classes or sales meetings, or the ability to meet and maybe even shadow other agents.  You’ve signed up with your company – now become part of it. You have to make the effort – get to know other agents, attend the training meetings, and listen – to what other agents have to share – tips on selling, showing or  writing contracts. Same goes for any offered training – if it’s available – take it! This is your chance to learn about the “Real World Stuff” – on how to transition from a student to a Realtor.  

During this time, let your circle of friends, family, former co-workers, old and new acquaintances and anyone else know, that you are a Realtor, and available to help. This doesn’t mean being pushy about it – just let people know. (If you don’t – how would they find out that you can help them buy or sell homes? )

Also - become familiar with the Market Inventory, new builds, models, builders and resale homes.  In order to provide excellent customer service – you have to know your market and be able to answer questions about average prices in neighborhoods, school districts, shopping, parks, views and more.

In order to find out as much as possible – join your office tour – if one is available. If not  – start your own tour. Get a group of other new or like-minded agents together, and tour a certain area each week. In addition- some of the title companies offer tours of new homes as well. Why not make learning fun?

Following are the Do’s and Don’ts for Part 1:

Do:

1. Make a plan (Business, Marketing, Personal)
2. Use available resources – in your office, at title and/or mortgage companies
3. Meet other agents
4. Let people know that you are in Real Estate
5. Tour Homes (Resale, New Build, Models)

Dont:

1. Spend Money on every “gadget” that someone else might praise/have or use
2. Sign up for Real Estate Magazines and other forms of marketing until you have your plan
3. Try to be everything to Everyone

Part 2: Business Decisions