Lisa is an accomplished marketer with years of expertise in direct response marketing, digital marketing, data analytics and business development working with both B2C and B2B.
Jessie recently ordered a Holiday postcard (shown above). To learn more, Click Here.
Congratulations, Jessie on winning this week’s contest!
Jessie had the following words to say about her success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,
“Ain’t no mountain high info, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough to keep you from ordering from ProspectsPLUS! They deliver with true professionalism on all levels! Hands Down–the best online, go-to for all your marketing needs.”
-Jessie Saucer
Jessie, thank you for your review. It could almost become a song, it’s so good 🙂 We truly appreciate you and your support!
Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave feedback regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.
*If you’ve already entered our drawing in the past and haven’t won, you don’t need to enter again. Your entry remains valid, and you still have a chance to win.
Don’t forget to watch for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!
PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Strategic Marketing Planner
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan
The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Success as a real estate agent often hinges on negotiating effectively and delivering compelling listing presentations.
For real estate agents looking to up their game and stand out in a competitive market, honing these skills is paramount.
Negotiation Skills
Negotiation lies at the heart of every real estate transaction, making it crucial for agents to master this art.
Effective negotiation involves more than just haggling over prices; it requires clear communication, strategic thinking, and building rapport with clients and counterparties alike.
Continuous education and training
Sharpening negotiation skills as begins with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
The Real Estate Times Series is shown above. To learn more, Click Here.
Seek out specialized training programs, workshops, and seminars focused specifically on negotiation techniques tailored to the real estate industry. There are several options available through online platforms like Harvard Business School, Udemy, and various organizations nationwide. Or you can find endless YouTube videos, podcasts, and books dedicated to this subject.
Additionally, consider joining professional organizations or networking groups where you can exchange insights and strategies with fellow real estate professionals.
By staying informed about the latest trends and best practices in negotiation, you can enhance your ability to navigate complex transactions and achieve favorable outcomes for your clients.
Practice and role-playing
Like any skill, negotiation requires practice to master. Dedicate time to honing your negotiation skills through role-playing exercises and simulated scenarios.
Practice negotiating various aspects of a real estate transaction, such as price, terms, and contingencies, with colleagues or mentors acting as clients or counterparties.
Role-playing allows you to test different strategies, refine your communication techniques, and build confidence in your ability to negotiate effectively in real-world situations. Embrace feedback and constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement and fine-tune your approach over time.
Understand client needs and market dynamics
Effective negotiation in real estate hinges on a deep understanding of both your client’s objectives and the broader market dynamics at play.
Take the time to listen to your client’s concerns, priorities, and preferences, and tailor your negotiation strategy accordingly.
Conduct thorough research into market trends, comparable properties, and local market conditions to identify opportunities and anticipate potential challenges during negotiations.
By aligning your approach with your client’s goals and leveraging your knowledge of the market, you can negotiate with confidence and achieve the best possible outcomes for your clients.
Listing Presentation Skills
A compelling listing presentation is key to winning clients and securing valuable listings.
Begin by thoroughly researching the property and its neighborhood to understand its unique selling points and market value.
Arrive at the presentation armed with data and insights that demonstrate your expertise and reassure the seller of your ability to represent their property effectively.
Additionally, personalize your approach by considering the seller’s specific needs and motivations. Then, tailor your presentation to address their concerns, and highlight how you can meet their goals.
Show don’t tell
During the presentation, focus on building rapport and trust with the seller. Take the time to actively listen to their needs and preferences, and be prepared to address any questions or concerns they may have.
Present yourself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy advisor who is committed to guiding them through the selling process with confidence.
Utilize visual aids such as market trends, comparative market analyses, and professional marketing materials to support your arguments and showcase your dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for the seller.
Value proposition
Differentiate yourself from the competition by highlighting your unique value proposition and the benefits of working with you as their realtor.
Emphasize your track record of success, your comprehensive marketing strategy, and your proactive approach to communication and negotiation.
Share stories about successes with past clients, including challenging listings and how you overcame them.
By investing time and effort into mastering negotiation and listing presentation skills, you can enhance your value proposition, win more clients, and achieve greater success in the competitive real estate industry.
When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazin
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Online Real Estate Business Plan
The Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your financial goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Michael recently ordered the Market Dominator (shown above). To learn more, Click Here.
Congratulations, Michael on winning this week’s contest!
Michael had the following words to say about his success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,
“I’ve started using the Market Dominator to farm a neighborhood and already have a prospective client to list their home and purchase another home. The content is great and easy to work with! Thank you!!”
-Michael DuMouchel
Michael, thank you for your review. We truly appreciate you and your support!
Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave feedback regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.
*If you’ve already entered our drawing in the past and haven’t won, you don’t need to enter again. Your entry remains valid, and you still have a chance to win.
Don’t forget to watch for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!
PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Strategic Marketing Planner
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan
The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Real estate agents often face scrutiny over their commission fees, with some questioning whether their expertise justifies the costs.
However, the reality is that the value provided by a skilled real estate agent far surpasses their monetary compensation.
Here are ten ways a real estate agent’s expertise is worth EVERY PENNY:
1. Market Knowledge: Real estate agents possess in-depth knowledge of local markets, including trends, pricing dynamics, and neighborhood nuances.
This expertise allows them to accurately assess the value of a property and advise clients on pricing strategies to maximize their return on investment.
Homes sold without a real estate agent (FSBO) went for about $100,000 less on average and cost the seller more in repair fees (based on The 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers).
2. Negotiation Skills: Negotiating the terms of a real estate transaction requires finesse, tact, and experience.
Real estate agents are skilled negotiators who advocate for their client’s best interests and work to secure the most favorable terms and conditions based on years of expertise.
3. Marketing Expertise: Successfully marketing a property requires a strategic approach, including professional photography, staging, virtual tours, and targeted advertising.
Real estate agents have the expertise to create compelling marketing campaigns that attract qualified buyers and generate maximum exposure for their listings.
4. Legal Guidance: The real estate transaction process involves a myriad of legal documents, contracts, and disclosures that must be handled with precision and compliance.
Real estate agents provide invaluable guidance and assistance to ensure that transactions are conducted legally and ethically.
5. Network Connections: Real estate agents have extensive networks of industry connections, including lenders, inspectors, contractors, and other professionals.
These connections allow them to provide clients with access to a wide range of resources and services throughout the buying or selling process.
6. Emotional Support: Buying or selling a home can be an emotional experience for clients, filled with uncertainty, stress, and anxiety.
Real estate agents provide emotional support and reassurance, guiding clients through the process with empathy and understanding.
7. Time Savings: Selling a home involves numerous tasks and responsibilities, from marketing and showings to negotiations and paperwork.
Real estate agents save clients time and effort by managing these tasks efficiently and effectively on their behalf.
8. Risk Mitigation: Real estate transactions involve inherent risks, including legal liabilities, financial losses, and unforeseen complications.
Real estate agents help mitigate these risks by providing expert guidance, proactive problem-solving, and diligent oversight throughout the process.
9. Market Insights: Real estate agents stay up-to-date on market trends, economic indicators, and regulatory changes that may impact the buying or selling process.
This knowledge allows them to provide clients with valuable insights and advice to make informed decisions.
10. Long-Term Relationships: Real estate agents are invested in building long-term relationships with their clients based on trust, integrity, and professionalism.
They strive to exceed client expectations and earn their loyalty, ensuring that clients return for future real estate needs and refer their friends and family.
The expertise and value provided by real estate agents far outweigh their earnings.
From market knowledge, negotiation skills, and marketing expertise real estate agents play a vital role in guiding clients through the complexities of buying or selling a home.
Their commitment to their clients’ largest financial investment as well as their personal well-being delivers unparalleled value and peace of mind.
When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazin
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Online Real Estate Business Plan
The Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your financial goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
The recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice has sparked discussions across the real estate industry.
While there are concerns about potential impacts, there are also potentially positive aspects for real estate agents to consider.
Anytime an industry experiences a disruption, innovation within the industry rises to meet these changes, and this time will be no different.
The following are some thoughts to consider as you navigate the changing real estate industry landscape.
Commission flexibility
With more flexibility in commission structures and compensation arrangements, agents have the opportunity to differentiate themselves and offer unique value propositions to clients.
This could incentivize agents to enhance their services and find new ways to add value throughout the home buying and selling process.
If you don’t provide your clients a complete list of your services (including value-added) during the listing presentation, get one together.
Now more than ever, buyers and sellers need to understand the irreplaceable level of value and expertise you provide for them.
The Market Update Series is shown above. To learn more, Click Here.
Increased transparency
The changes brought about by the settlement may lead to more transparency and clarity for both agents and consumers.
By removing blanket compensation offers and encouraging negotiation, the settlement empowers agents to have more open discussions with clients about commission rates and compensation structures.
This transparency can help build trust and foster stronger relationships between you and your clients.
New business models
The settlement could result in a more dynamic and adaptable real estate market.
With increased flexibility in commission arrangements, agents may have the opportunity to explore new business models including fee structures, partnerships, collaborations, consulting, and value-based services.
This could lead to a more resilient and innovative real estate industry that is better equipped to serve the needs of clients in an ever-evolving market landscape.
While the NAR settlement presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for real estate agents to innovate, build trust, and adapt to a changing industry landscape.
By embracing these changes and leveraging them to your advantage, you can position yourself for success in the coming years.
When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazin
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Online Real Estate Business Plan
The Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your financial goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
As promised, here’s part two of our walk-through on how to find a real estate website builder that builds websites that convert…
Do their websites convert?
Remember: “… simple designs have higher conversion rates.”
And, again, the home page should be the simplest of all.
We know how tempting it is for agents to tell visitors right off the bat that they’re the best agents on the planet and why.
But leave that for the About page. Consider using your best, short testimonial instead.
Understand what’s important to your visitors and jettison the rest, again, at least on the site’s homepage. You can’t convert visitors who leave the second they land on your site.
So, what’s important to them? Here are the no-brainers:
Buyers are looking for an agent, listings, and knowledge about the buying and mortgage process.
Sellers are looking for an agent and knowledge about the selling process. They, too, may be looking at listings to find their next home.
They want to find this information easily, so don’t make them guess where it is on your site.
Do they have the ability to attract organic search engine traffic?
So, how do you turn your website into an even bigger lead-generating monster? Start by performing small changes to several pages on your site.
Localize blog posts as much as possible. It only takes minutes to add local search terms. Here’s an example from a recent post about appraisal problems in hot markets:
Fiery real estate markets such as what we’re experiencing are a dream come true for sellers unless prices are rising so fast that the market can’t keep up.
Stick the name of your market in that post to boost its SEO value.
Fiery real estate markets such as what we’re experiencing here in Vallejo …
For even more value, link the name of the city to its page on your site. These types of links are called “internal linking” and each of your blog posts should contain at least one.
“… using the right internal linking strategy can boost your SEO.” Learn more about internal linking and how you can use it to boost your site’s visibility in organic searches at Yoast.com.
Then, work on your neighborhood pages by adding local photos.
Right about now you’re wondering “What happened to help me find the right real estate website builder?”
Regardless of the real estate website company you choose, your site will need to be localized.
Does the website builder get you through the entire process?
Compare vendors on whether or not they offer the “goodies” to help make your workday easier:
Template-based pages that make adding and deleting information a snap
Help to build landing pages
CRM integration that will help you convert website visitors into leads
A slew of apps to help with everything from lead capture and management to boosting SEO and increasing website traffic.
The best real estate agent website maximizes an agent’s brand and optimizes his or her online activities with one simple goal in mind: To help you get more leads, sell more houses, and improve your professional and personal brand.
When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazin
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Online Real Estate Business Plan
The Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your financial goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Samantha recently sent ordered a Direct Response Report (shown above). To learn more, Click Here.
Congratulations, Samantha on winning this week’s contest!
Samantha had the following words to say about her success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,
“I love using the flyer for my mailers and especially for door knocking. Many homeowners love the brief information given to them.”
-Samantha Coggins
Samantha, thank you for your review. We truly appreciate you and your support!
Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave feedback regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.
*If you’ve already entered our drawing in the past and haven’t won, you don’t need to enter again. Your entry remains valid, and you still have a chance to win.
Don’t forget to watch for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!
PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Strategic Marketing Planner
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan
The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Deveisha recently sent out a Spring Begins Postcard (shown above). To learn more, Click Here.
Congratulations, Deveisha on winning this week’s contest!
Deveisha had the following words to say about her success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,
“My Real Estate business has grown tremendously since using ProspectsPLUS!. Thank you for helping me to market myself in this industry.”
-Deveisha Shedden-Brown
Deveisha, thank you for your review. We truly appreciate you and your support!
Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave feedback regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.
*If you’ve already entered our drawing in the past and haven’t won, you don’t need to enter again. Your entry remains valid, and you still have a chance to win.
Don’t forget to watch for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!
PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Strategic Marketing Planner
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan
The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Roxane recently sent out a Recipe Series Postcard (shown above). To learn more, Click Here.
Congratulations, Roxane on winning this week’s contest!
Roxane had the following words to say about her success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,
“I have been using Recipe postcards for my SOI for almost two years now. I have received many positive comments from this list about how they look forward to receiving the cards each month and have tried some of the recipes.”
-Roxane Morrison
Roxane, thank you for your review. We truly appreciate you and your support!
Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
HOW TO ENTER: Just leave feedback regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.
*If you’ve already entered our drawing in the past and haven’t won, you don’t need to enter again. Your entry remains valid, and you still have a chance to win.
Don’t forget to watch for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!
PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Strategic Marketing Planner
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan
The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
“I think I’ll send my new patient a $50 Macy’s gift certificate to thank her for allowing me to perform her annual physical,” said no doctor, ever. Come to think of it, my hairdresser, accountant, and lawyer have never gifted me either.
Yet real estate agents, somewhere along the line, came up with this notion that they absolutely must provide a closing gift to their clients.
Obviously, the agent who first gifted a client must’ve found the practice successful because it was quickly copied and has now become standard practice.
Does giving a gift to a client make you memorable? If that were the case, more service industries would take up the practice, don’t you think? I don’t know about you, but I return to my hair stylist every month because I love the way she cuts my hair.
My accountant saves me money on my taxes. So, is it the gift that makes them remember you, or was it your performance?
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of giving closing gifts, to real estate clients.
Pros
I’m not a tax expert or an accountant, but the IRS says agents can deduct up to $25 for each person they gift during the year. No, that’s not a whole lot of money and if you make the big bucks, you’ll need to buy a whole lot of gifts throughout the year to even put a dent in your tax bill.
If you feel you must give a gift, consider handing your clients the keys to their new home on a quality (meaning, not plastic) keychain. With your branding on it, you’ll be able to deduct it as a marketing expense and possibly get a larger deduction. Talk to your tax professional.
A swanky annual client appreciation event, on the other hand, will give you a bigger tax deduction as well as put you right back there at the top of their mind.
The Content Card Series is shown above. To learn more,Click Here.
Cons
Since referrals are the lifeblood of a successful real estate practice, and keeping them coming in requires remaining top-of-mind with former clients, it would have to be a major gift to make you memorable throughout the years.
What will make you memorable is frequent contact throughout the year — the birthday cards, the client appreciation events, and the ongoing direct mail campaigns.
Here’s something else to consider: you are a buyer’s agent. You have been at your client’s beck and call, spending weeks or even months driving your clients to house after house before they finally found one they wanted.
You submitted the offer, you coordinated your client’s end of the transaction, and you smoothly paved the way to a successful close. All parties are satisfied with the outcome. In return, you are paid a percentage of the sales price of the home.
You did your job and you got paid. Shake hands, as business people do, thank them for their business, and move on to your next client.
The subject of closing gifts, as you know, is a point of contention among agents. How about you? Do you gift?
PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review
The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review allows you to enter your business goals for the remainder of the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Michelle recently sent out Just Sold Postcards (shown above). To learn more, Click Here.
Congratulations, Michelle on winning this week’s contest!
Michelle had the following words to say about her success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,
“ProspectsPLUS! is my “go-to” for marketing. Tons of products to pick from, easy to use, effective, and GREAT customer service. Try it, you won’t be disappointed, it’s a winner!”
-Michelle Huffman
Michelle, thank you for your review. We truly appreciate you and your support!
Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
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PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
2.The Free 6-Month Strategic Marketing Planner
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan
The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
Back in October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture enlarged its map of eligible areas for USDA home loans. In fact, “… they added 1,131 areas to its USDA mortgage footprint for 2024 and removed thirty-six,” according to Dan Green at Homebuyer.com.
Even better, is that, while the program still restricts the loans to those buying in rural areas, some of these added areas are now closer to large cities, such as Los Angeles, CA, and San Antonio, TX.
This is important news for agents working with credit- and financially challenged buyers who can’t qualify for a traditional mortgage.
A quick refresher course on what the USDA offers to homebuyers
The USDA home loan programs reside under the umbrella of the Rural Development Agency. This office provides money to low-to-moderate-income families to build, rehab, purchase, and refinance homes within the rural areas it serves. This money comes in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants.
The two most popular USDA home-buying programs include a direct loan and a guaranteed loan. The former is restricted to those borrowers with low to very low incomes.
Since the applicant borrows the money to purchase the home directly from the USDA, not only is there no down payment required, but closing costs are kept to a minimum.
SOI scheduled campaigns are shown above. To learn more, Click Here.
The guaranteed loan, on the other hand, appeals to those with moderate incomes. Although the guaranteed loans are backed by the USDA, they must be obtained through a USDA–approved conventional lender.
Qualifying for a USDA loan involves two aspects. Not only must the borrower qualify, but the house the borrower wishes to purchase must be eligible as well.
Aside from the fact that the home must be located in a USDA-designated rural area (more on that in a moment), it must be considered “modest” for the area. In other words, no swimming pools and no other features that might be considered extravagant or unnecessary.
The USDA has additional requirements that the home must meet, as well.
Borrower eligibility is determined mainly by income and ability to repay the loan. The USDA will look at your client’s credit reports. Late pay and delinquencies may not disqualify a borrower, it depends on the entire financial picture.
Finally, each program has different income requirements.
Understanding the USDA mortgage zones
The USDA divides eligible areas for its mortgage programs into different zones based on population density and other demographic factors. These zones determine the eligibility of properties for USDA-backed loans, which offer favorable terms, including low interest rates and zero down payment requirements.
Historically, these loans have been key to facilitating homeownership in rural areas, serving as an amazing resource for low- to moderate-income homebuyers.
Check the USDA website to find out if the market you serve is among, or near those added to the map. Interested in seeing some of the new rural areas opening up? Check this out!
When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.
1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazin
Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here
The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here
3. The Free Online Real Estate Business Plan
The Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your financial goals. – Click Here
4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook
Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here
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