Five-Star Roadmap:How Customer Feedback Fuels Your Real Estate Business

Sep 17, 2023

At ProspectsPLUS!, we fully understand the profound impact of our customers’ feedback. It is a testament to their level of satisfaction with our service and underscores our commitment to providing world-class products and service.

With this in mind, we’re thrilled to announce a significant milestone we just achieved: ProspectsPLUS! surpassed 5,000 five-star customer reviews!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you. This remarkable accomplishment would not have been possible without your continued loyalty and support.

Now, let’s delve into the topic of why customer reviews are indispensable to the success of every business, specifically a real estate business.

Why Customer Reviews Are Crucial

They Build Trust and Credibility

Real estate transactions are significant life events, often involving substantial financial investments. Customers want to work with agents they can trust.

Positive reviews from previous clients act as a vote of confidence, assuring potential clients that you are a reputable and reliable professional.

Provide Social Proof

In a highly competitive industry, social proof is invaluable. Customer reviews are authentic testimonials that demonstrate your ability to deliver excellent service.

They give prospective clients a reason to choose you over your competitors.

Positive reviews can also improve your online visibility and search engine rankings. When potential clients search for real estate services in your area, a strong presence with favorable reviews can help your business stand out.

Highlight Your Expertise

Customer reviews often highlight an agent’s specific skills, expertise, or standout qualities.

These insights can attract clients seeking a particular skill set, such as expertise in a specific neighborhood or property type.

Encourage Referrals

Satisfied clients are more likely to refer their friends and family to you. Positive reviews create a ripple effect, potentially expanding your client base through word-of-mouth recommendations.

How to Earn More Customer Reviews:

Make It Easy: Streamline the review process by providing clients clear instructions and links to review sites. The easier you make it, the more likely they’ll follow through.
Timing Matters: Ask for reviews at the right time. It’s often best to request them shortly after a successful closing when the positive experience is still fresh in the client’s mind.
Offer Incentives: Consider offering small incentives to clients for leaving their feedback. Make sure to adhere to FTC guidelines when offering any incentives for customer feedback.
Engage on Social Media: Actively engage with clients on social media platforms. Share success stories and client testimonials to encourage others to do the same.
Ask for Reviews: Don’t hesitate to request reviews from satisfied clients. After a successful transaction, politely ask them to share their feedback on platforms like Google, Yelp, or your website.
Respond to Reviews: Engage with both positive and negative reviews professionally and promptly. Your responses demonstrate that you value feedback and are committed to improving.

By consistently delivering exceptional service and proactively encouraging reviews, you can harness the power of customer feedback to grow your real estate business and establish yourself as a trusted professional in the industry.

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, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals. – Click Here

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

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

Edit Like a Pro: The Top 3 Non-Photoshop Tools for Real Estate Photos

Sep 5, 2023

Even if you use the services of a professional to photograph your listings, there are still plenty of other parts of your real estate business for which your own photography skills might come in handy.

These include snapping neighborhood shots for your neighborhood blog, photographing attendees at your client appreciation events, photos of your buyers standing in front of their new homes, and other opportunities.

These photos are brand-propelling if done and used right. Today, we start with editing these gems and introduce you to three very popular editing apps to help you out.

PicsArt

Price: 7-day free trial, $0, $60 or $84 a year

Who needs this: Those who appreciate a clean, quick way to remove backgrounds.

Pros:

With PicsArt you can edit both photos and video, a boon for agents who utilize video in their marketing.
No steep learning curve.
Easy to use.
An impressive range of editing options, such as AI tools.

Cons:

“PicsArt is fine while using in iOS device but it was responding very slow in most of the Android apps,” according to one reviewer at G2.com.
The free version is loaded with ads for the premium version, popping up in the middle of editing.
“They are gradually moving some of the free features under the payment plans,” says one reviewer. Keep this in mind if you hope to be able to use the free version in the future.
Options are limited on the free plan. For instance, you must go premium if you want to use the video editor.

The Multiphoto Series is shown above. To see more, Click Here.

Pixlr

Price: Free (very limited), $1.99 a month, $7.99 a month, $12.99 a month

Who needs this: Agents who must collaborate remotely with clients, partners, etc.

Pros:

Pixlr is cloud-based, allowing you to access it from anywhere.
Offers an option that edits images through AI.
Simple, easy-to-understand interface.
Well-suited to the novice editor.

Cons:

Although they use it primarily for on-the-fly editing, some reviewers experienced in photo editing claim that Pixlr is “basic” and that many of its functions require updating.
Ads pop up at inopportune times.
Although the template library is growing, it’s a bit paltry at this point.
Since this is an internet-based product, those with a slow connection might want to choose something else.

Snapseed

Price: Free

Who needs this: Agents who are new to photo editing as well as those who need on-the-go editing capability.

Pros:

Owned by Google, the Snapseed app is available for iOS and Android. The desktop version was discontinued in 2018.
Little editing experience is required when using the app’s editing tools.
The price (can’t beat free!)

Cons:

“Snapseed does not automatically save changes, so you need to click the export button to save any edits.” (colesclassroom.com).
Although most features are easy to use, some may stymie the newbie.

Download here for Android and here for iOS.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Build Connections: How to Break the Ice at Your Next Open House

Aug 28, 2023

The following is a recent quote referencing a home that the home was on the market for one day and brought in multiple offers.

“28 groups of people through the Open House! Don’t let your agent tell you they don’t work!” Missie McSweeny (Detroit metro agent) in the Real Estate Agents Who Get It Group on Facebook.com.

Here’s another quote from a different agent, Gregg Roberts (Winter Springs, FL agent), in the Real Estate Agents Who Get It Group at Facebook.com.

“We had an amazing turnout at our BBQ Open house on Saturday! We ran out of food within the 2-hour window and showed this beautiful property to over 50 groups in the past 3 days. Ultimately, this seller will be walking away with $11k over our list price!”

And, one more quote:

“Saturday and Sunday open houses are very busy and successful. Each day, about 20 groups of clients came by,” Qian Shi (Petaluma, CA agent)

Yes, houses have been pretty much selling themselves over the past few years. And, yes, in some markets, they apparently still do.

If you’re among the few agents with listings in an iffy market, have you considered the blast-from-the-past marketing method: the open house?

Don’t be pushy

Tammy Brunell used to coach for Tom Ferry. She has a whopping 30-year real estate career under her belt. Open-house techniques are one of the things she teaches her coaching clients, and it starts with her script for agents to use with open-house visitors.

You can find it here, but here are the main points:

Who is your real estate agent?
Who is your lender?
What price range are you looking in?

Naturally, she goes on to talk about the “why” behind these questions, and it makes sense.

In fact, we love the first question, but the follow-ups feel a bit used-car sale-ish. Peppering someone with a list of questions when they first step into the home? Umm, no.

It’s good information to obtain, don’t get me wrong. It’s all in the delivery, though. How about turning those questions into statements?

“If you don’t have a lender yet, let me know (hand the visitor a business card). I’m happy to refer you to some of the best here in Happyville.”

Icebreakers are the ideal way to begin building a rapport with real estate consumers, but don’t be pushy. Once they tell you whether or not they have an agent, you’ll know which tack to take.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Unlock the Hidden Potential of the Baby Boomer Real Estate Market

Aug 23, 2023

We’ve mentioned recently, and you’ve no doubt seen it in your real estate practice, that baby boomers are large and in charge of the housing market.

“In 2023, baby boomers overtook millennials as the greatest percentage of homebuyers in the U.S., making up 39% of the market compared to 28% for millennials (and 24% for Gen X),” suggests Dawn Allcot at Nasdaq.com.

This cohort makes up the largest share of home sellers as well, setting up a scenario where a whole bunch of agents will have the opportunity to get two deals out of one client.

They win bidding wars

Listing agents know well how challenging it sometimes is to calm down the seller who is receiving multiple offers. It’s heady stuff to have a group of people vying for your home, and visions of “over-asking” often dance through their heads.

Counseling the seller to also compare the terms of each offer is a wise move. Is the proposed closing date most convenient for your seller? What about the amount of cash the buyer is willing to put into the deal?

“With all this in mind, new research from Realtor.com shows that baby boomers have the upper hand when it comes to sealing the deal on the next home of their dreams,” according to Allcot.

The ideal next home for the baby boomer

It’s easy to make assumptions about what type of home our aging population is seeking. And many of those assumptions are valid. One-story homes, for instance, are in great demand, as are homes with wide halls and doorways to accommodate a wheelchair in the future.

A few other items that are on the wish list of older clients include:

A walk-in shower
Lowered countertops
No stairs, inside or out
A home office for those who haven’t yet retired

Think they don’t want to sell? Think again

It’s common knowledge and a bone of contention for younger homebuyers that our older generation refuses to budge from their family home.

A 2021 AARP survey found that more than three-quarters of adults ages 50 and older want to stay in their current homes, also known as aging in place.

There’s a problem with that, however. “A significant majority of adults want to continue living in their homes as they age, but the unfortunate reality is that many homes and communities weren’t built to support that desire,” according to Rodney Harrell, AARP Vice President, Family, Home, and Community.

AARP finds in another study that “About half of adults say they’d consider leaving their home if it meant finding one that would help them age independently,” said Anna Deen at TheMessenger.com.

I smell an amazing real estate niche in there, don’t you?

As you tour new listings, pay attention to the layout of the home to determine if it’s move-in ready for a boomer who wants to age in place. Even homes that require minimum renovation are attractive to this generation, so don’t ignore those, either.

Then, do consider reaching out to the baby boomers in your CRM.

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

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

ChatGPT: Your New Free Real Estate Assistant!

Aug 20, 2023

In the rapidly evolving landscape of real estate, staying ahead of the competition and effectively reaching potential clients is paramount. Enter ChatGPT, a cutting-edge AI-powered tool that promises to revolutionize the way real estate agents market their business, save valuable time, attract new clients, and effortlessly follow up with leads.

Today, let’s explore just a few ways ChatGPT can transform your workday and, possibly, your business.

Need a virtual assistant?

Is saying that lead generation is time-consuming the understatement of the century? If so, then following up with leads eats up even more time and often falls through the cracks.

ChatGPT can act as a virtual assistant, helping you generate new leads and follow up with them as well.

ChatGPT will instantly respond to inquiries on your website or social media platforms. Ensuring that no lead goes unanswered.

ChatGPT works 24 Hours a day

In the real estate industry, opportunities can arise at any hour. ChatSpot, is an around-the-clock customer service assistant that ensures that clients’ questions are addressed promptly, even outside of regular business hours.

This creates a positive impression, showing your commitment to excellent customer service and increasing the likelihood of winning the trust of potential clients.

Automated Follow-ups

Following up with leads is a critical aspect of converting them into prospects. ChatGPT can automate follow-up messages (without sounding automated), sending reminders, property updates, and additional information to keep leads engaged and interested.

This eliminates the need for manual follow-up, freeing up your time to focus on other, more essential stuff.

Virtual Property Tours and Presentations

With the advancement of technology, virtual property tours have become increasingly popular.

But buyers crave a more immersive type of virtual tour, which helps them to better visualize themselves living in the home.

So, give it to them via ChatGPT.

“ChatGPT can be integrated into virtual tours to respond to any inquiries prospective buyers might have regarding the property,” according to the pros at ChatGPT School.

From the size of the room they are viewing to construction materials used in the home, ask, and the chatster will answer in real-time.

This is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI in your real estate business. Look forward to help with:

Writing social media posts
Writing blog posts
Writing listing descriptions
Crafting a “canned” but personalized email to clients
Writing newsletter articles
Writing a neighborhood guide, including history, hot spots, etc.
Writing local business reviews
Compiling buyers’ packages. We read about one agent who made his package downloadable but required an “email opt-in to get it.” So little effort for such a big potential payoff.
Analyzing market trends and conditions.

AI-powered technology can streamline so many time-consuming tasks that keep you from your real business – relationship building. What’s not to like?

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Overcoming Price Barriers: A Strategy for Buyer Success in a Challenging Market

Aug 13, 2023

It appears that the mortgage rate hikes have resulted in first-time buyers and others on tight budgets getting priced out of the market.

But there may be a way around this challenge.

Even though fixer homes aren’t as rock-bottom cheap as in the past, they can still present value to this pool of buyers.

And there are various loan programs that support the fixer home purchase. Let’s take a quick look at the two most popular: FHA’s 203(k) loan and Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle® Renovation Mortgage.

The FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan

If you haven’t had an opportunity to work with FHA rehab-loan buyers recently, there are a few changes you may not be familiar with.

The FHA 203(k) product, for instance, has new names for its two tiers:

The 203(k) Full loan is now known as the 203(k) Standard.
The 203k Streamline is now known as the 203k Limited.

Along with the new names came some small changes to each product. For instance, “Repairing or removing an in-ground swimming pool is allowed on both 203k Standard and 203K Limited loan programs with no dollar limitation as to bid amount,” according to the pros at Amerifirst Home Mortgage.

Other notable changes include:

The 203(k) Standard now allows for foundation work to take place even when the home isn’t going to be razed.
The Limited program now requires that the buyer submit a work plan wherein “… one or more contractors will provide the cost estimate or bids.”

Other changes were also made, and you can review them at Amerifirst Home Mortgage’s website.

Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle® Renovation Mortgage is a conventional loan backed by the GSE. The advantage this presents for your struggling clients is that “As a government agency, Fannie Mae exists to help make housing more affordable to mid- to low-income borrowers …” and those with “… poor credit histories and scores,” claims Lauren Bowling at Rocketmortgage.com.

This product is also ideal for those clients seeking a multi-unit home, such as a duplex, triplex, or quadplex, Bowling adds.

Naturally, there is a lot more to learn about these loan products, and you’ll find this information online at:

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Unveiling the Truth: Can Facebook Truly Generate New Real Estate Leads?

Aug 8, 2023

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been bringing you up-to-date on the various social media platforms’ demographics. If you missed them, you’ll find Tik Tok here and Instagram’s demographics here.

Today we unpack the numbers for Facebook. But before we do that, it’s important to remind you that choosing a social media platform or two on which to market your real estate business is vastly different from choosing where to meet up with friends and family and post photos of the pets and where you had dinner last night.

As we mentioned in the last post: “The platform should be used heavily by those in your target demographic. If that includes both buyers and sellers, you’ll want to hang out where baby boomers do.”

This is because older folks comprise the majority of both the buyer and seller pools at this time. They also make the ideal clients because most of them have a home to sell before buying the new one.

The latest issue of Homes & Life Magazine is shown above. To learn more, Click Here.

Let’s take a look at Facebook for real estate agents

Facebook appeals to a broad age range. In the U.S., Millennials dominate, with nearly 24% of them hanging out there. In second place are baby boomers, with 22.2% using the platform.

Older millennials and Gen Z round it out, with 18.4% and 18.1%, respectively, on Facebook. (Statista.com) Here are some additional stats to ponder:

A “… Google study showed that there are more Facebook users 65 and above than users in the 13 – 17 range.” (ComingofAge.com)
Boomers are more likely to share posts than other generations, according to a Pew study.
Why do baby boomers use Facebook? For leisure and entertainment. Go light on the marketing. Make it entertaining and not overtly self-promotional.

What else to post?

Posts with photos draw the most engagement, according to the folks at Hootsuite.com. This doesn’t mean you should go overboard posting photos of your listings and open houses.

Use local photos of landmarks, parks, and popular neighborhoods.

Check back soon when we’ll take a deep dive into LinkedIn.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Beyond the Horizon: Unraveling the Real Estate Market’s Path Ahead

Aug 7, 2023

Remember last year, even possibly the year before, when the most burning question on the minds of real estate consumers was whether or not there would be a burst housing market bubble?

At that time, the media and economists detailed the reasons why the market then was nothing like that of 2008.

So what are these economists saying now?

Recently, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, stated, “The recovery has not taken place, but the housing recession is over.”

During the NAR Forecast Summit on August 2nd, Lawrence presented slides to support this claim, including one demonstrating inflation’s steady decline in recent months.

He elaborated, “Homebuilders are beginning to see some recovery happening. They are back to pre-covid activity. Furthermore, their stock prices are rising, and they are making profits”.

Yun emphasized, “Ask any home buyers across the country what their biggest frustration is; it’s lack of choices and lack of inventory.” What a great quote to share with potential home sellers.

The Local Real Estate Market Stats Series is shown above. To learn more, Click Here.

Whether we’re in another correction or are heading toward a stabilized market remains to be seen. Knowing the economic signs that help signal the direction the market is headed can be empowering information to share with your market.

The number of home sales is but one metric

One of the early signs of a potential housing market correction is a significant decline in home sales. When the demand for housing weakens, and buyers hesitate to enter the market, especially across multiple regions, it suggests a broader trend signaling an impending market correction.

What do foreclosure rates tell us

A consistent decline in home prices, coupled with other factors, can signal a housing market correction. As you know, a prolonged period of declining home prices can erode homeowner equity, increase foreclosure rates, and dampen consumer confidence.

Thankfully, “After steadily declining for seven months in a row, housing prices have increased for the second straight month,” according to Ruben Caginalp at BankRate.com, citing the latest Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index.

According to NAR, the median existing-home sale recently hit $410,200, which is the second-highest price ever recorded.

Attom Data Solutions reported “… a total of 95,712 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings during the first quarter of 2023, up 6 percent from the previous quarter,” according to their most recent Foreclosure Activity Report.

While those numbers pique our interest, they remain well below what we experienced during the 2008 housing market crash.

Pay attention to jobs numbers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its jobs report once a month. You can find the calendar online at BLS.gov. It’s important to keep an eye on what’s happening with employment.

The overall health of the economy is intertwined with the housing market. During an economic downturn, job losses and rising unemployment rates can significantly impact the housing sector.

The stability and performance of the housing market have a profound impact on professionals who work in the industry, consumers, and the overall economy.

Given its significance, the question of whether there will be a housing market correction this year demands continued observance so you can counsel your market and keep any overinflated fears at bay.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

The Get-More-Listings Solution: Launch a Neighborhood or City Blog

Jul 31, 2023

Here’s a question for you: Why is it called “a sellers’ market” when sellers aren’t selling?

We are facing nearly 26% “… fewer homes newly listed for sale compared to last year,” according to recent NAR research. This is despite a 7.1% rise in homes actively for sale compared to last year at this time.

OK, so how do we make this sellers’ market a true sellers’ market? To start, more listing leads would be nice, right?

One effective strategy is to become a neighborhood or city expert. Sure, tons of agents pay that title lip service, but you, my friend, are actually going to live it.

Not only will a neighborhood – or city-specific blog brand you as the area expert, but it will boost lead generation as well.

The Holiday Series is shown above. To see more, Click Here.

And how will it do that?

With the organic website traffic that comes from your neighborhood or city blog.

“Real estate had the highest monthly organic traffic, on average,” of all the industries in the finance category of a recent SEO report published by Conductor. They go on to state that “… searchers looking into real estate are most likely not tied to a brand. This makes investing in SEO and the website experience more crucial since the ROI could be significant if your site provides the desired property solution.”

In other words, done right, and with the current state of SEO, your little blog could pay off big by providing a steady stream of leads.

Remember, this website/blog is in addition to your IDX website

This website/blog will focus on showcasing your in-depth knowledge, expertise, and passion for the city or the neighborhood. Here are some topics you might want to cover:

Neighborhood Profiles: Provide detailed information on different neighborhoods within your target area, highlighting their unique features, amenities, schools, and local attractions. Including lots of photos.
Local Market Updates: Regularly update your website or blog with the latest trends, market statistics, and insights specific to the neighborhood.
Home Improvement Tips: Share practical advice on enhancing the value of homes in the area, such as remodeling ideas, landscaping tips, and cost-effective renovations.
Local Events and Activities: Promote community events, festivals, charity drives, and other neighborhood activities to foster a sense of belonging and showcase the vibrant community spirit.
Local Business Profiles: Where to get the perfect cup of coffee or a yummy breakfast or dinner. Best yoga studios, hair stylists, auto mechanics, etc. You can find ideas for these on Yelp.com or join your Nextdoor.com neighborhood and read neighbors’ reviews.

Consider inviting local business owners, experts, or community leaders to contribute guest posts or interviews on your website or blog. This not only adds diverse perspectives but also increases the likelihood of them sharing your content with their own networks.

Don’t forget to cross-post every piece of content to social media.

DIY a WordPress site or have one done for you?

While WordPress might be the least expensive way to set up a blog or website, there is another option and that is what is on offer at ParkBench.com.

Dubbed “the only service in the world that actually builds community websites for real estate agents” by the company’s CEO and co-founder Grant Findlay-Shirras, it’s certainly a service worth a look.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

LinkedIn Magic: How an Optimized Profile Attracts Real Estate Prospects

Jul 23, 2023

As you are well aware, first impressions matter, and your LinkedIn profile is the digital representation of your professional brand. Ensure that your profile is complete, engaging, and showcases your expertise in the real estate industry.

Use a professional headshot, write a compelling headline, and craft a concise and captivating summary that highlights your unique value proposition. Remember, you want to make a strong impression and entice potential clients to connect with you.

By the way, pages with complete information get 30% more weekly views.

Build your network

LinkedIn is all about connections, so start by connecting with your existing network of clients, colleagues, friends, and family.

Then, expand your network strategically by engaging with industry professionals, local business owners, and influential individuals in your community.

Join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions to establish yourself as an authority in the real estate field.

Aside from area-specific groups, consider joining these, recommended by the pros at outboundengine.com:

You’ll also find several referral groups as well.

Content is still king

Creating and sharing valuable content is key to capturing the attention of your target audience. Instead of pushing sales pitches, focus on providing information and insights that homebuyers and sellers will find useful.

Remember, your audience on LinkedIn is markedly different than on other platforms. Consider the following topics that might be of interest:

How to defer capital gains taxes by using a 1031 Exchange when selling
The current state of the local housing market
Local housing market predictions
Create a freebie report that they can download from your website
Discuss the option of borrowing against their 401(k) funds to purchase a home
Create an article about the pros and cons of tapping into current home equity with a HELOC to purchase a second home

Utilize LinkedIn Pulse

LinkedIn Pulse is a publishing platform that allows you to reach a wider audience by sharing long-form content.

“When you write an article on Pulse, everyone you’re connected to will be notified of the new content,” according to the folks at Sprout Social. “It’s also possible to share Pulse pieces as separate content on LinkedIn and on other social media profiles, too,” they conclude.

More exposure? Twist my arm, right?

Write informative articles that address common questions and challenges faced by homebuyers and sellers. Share success stories and showcase your unique approach to real estate.

Engagement is key

Finally, engage with your LinkedIn connections as often as possible. Like, comment on, and share posts with others in your network. Always check your messages and respond as quickly as possible to them.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Summer Reading Essential: 3 Must-Read Books for Real Estate Agents!

Jul 17, 2023

We hope you’re able to take time this summer to relax and enjoy some downtime with friends and family. Even a solo day by the pool or at the beach would be cool, right?

Summer lounging and books are pretty much inseparable, and we’ve come up with a list of three that are worth checking out.

1. “Objections: The Ultimate Guide for Mastering the Art and Science of Getting Past No” Jeb Blount

Handling objections is one of the more challenging aspects of a real estate agent’s job. Trying to get inside someone else’s head to figure out where the reluctance is coming from seems impossible.

“Objections” by Jeb Blount helps you make it possible. Blount, a seasoned sales expert, provides valuable insights and strategies to help readers navigate through objection busting effectively and close deals successfully.

Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of objection handling. We like the practical examples and real-life scenarios that make them relatable.

One of the strengths of “Objections” is its emphasis on the mindset and psychology behind objections.

Then, he provides actionable strategies and techniques to handle objections effectively.

The content might be considered repetitive at times, as certain concepts and strategies are reiterated throughout the book.

Overall, “Objections” is a valuable resource for any real estate agent who finds objection-busting challenging and is seeking ways to improve their negotiation skills.

Available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and AbeBooks.com

2. “Mindset Reset for Real Estate Success: How to Become #1 in Your Market While Enjoying a Balanced Life,” Orly Steinberg

“Mindset Reset for Real Estate Success” by Orly Steinberg is a compelling guide tailored specifically for real estate professionals.

One of the standout features of this book is Steinberg’s emphasis on work-life balance. The author acknowledges the demanding nature of the real estate industry and offers practical strategies to help readers avoid burnout and find harmony between their personal and professional lives.

Additionally, the book offers valuable insights into building and nurturing relationships with clients, which is always important in real estate.

Steinberg’s writing style is engaging and relatable, making it an enjoyable and informative read for both experienced agents and newcomers to the field.

Available at Amazon.com.

3. “The Real Real Estate Agent: Generate More Leads, Clients, and Referrals by Being Yourself, Having More Fun, and Making a Difference” by Aarin Chung

Judging by Amazon reviews, agents are loving this book. “The Real Real Estate Agent” by Aarin Chung focuses on authenticity, enjoyment, and making a positive impact.

Chung encourages readers to embrace their unique qualities, passions, and strengths rather than conforming to a generic mold of what a real estate agent should be.

Chung also explores the importance of having fun in the real estate business. The author believes that enjoying the process and finding joy in the work can have a significant impact on success.

The book also provides practical guidance on the basics: generating leads, acquiring clients, and maximizing referrals.

What we like best about the book is that Chung also addresses the importance of making a positive difference in the community. By giving back and being socially responsible, agents can create a meaningful legacy and enhance their reputation.

“The Real Real Estate Agent” is written in a conversational and relatable style, making it an enjoyable read for real estate professionals at all stages of their careers.

Readers who are already well-versed in personal branding and leveraging social media may find the book’s insights and strategies too basic or familiar. Available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and BooksAMillion.com.

The Real Estate Times Series is shown above. To see more, click here.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook

Seeing Beyond the Present: How the Right Perspective Propels Real Estate Success

Jul 16, 2023

I recently listened to Brian Buffini’s, Bold Predictions 2023: Mid-Year Update and was inspired by his perspective and convictions regarding the remainder of 2023 and what he predicts for 2024.

It made me contemplate the power of perspective in the success of any endeavor.

There are always different viewpoints available on topics that matter, and plenty of economic and housing experts have weighed in on their predictions for the remainder of this year and 2024.

The only question that remains is, what viewpoints are you going to internalize, and what of those are you going to discard? The answer comes down to perspective.

In the journey toward success, challenges are inevitable. They test our resolve, push us outside our comfort zone, and often force us to question our abilities.

However, it is our perspective that determines whether we crumble under the weight of challenges or rise above them.

The power of perspective lies in its ability to shape our mindset, fuel resilience, and unlock opportunities for growth and success.

Here are four ways to adopt an empowering perspective that will pave the way to achieving success, regardless of challenges.

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Rather than viewing challenges as insurmountable obstacles, see them as opportunities for learning and personal development.

By embracing a growth mindset, you can approach challenges with a sense of curiosity, seek solutions, and adapt your strategies to overcome obstacles.

2. Find Opportunities in Adversity

Perspective allows us to see beyond the immediate difficulties and recognize the hidden opportunities within challenges. Every setback presents a chance for growth, innovation, and self-discovery.

Adversity often uncovers unexplored paths and possibilities. By shifting our perspective to focus on the opportunities within challenges, we can transform setbacks into launching pads for success.

3. Cultivate Resilience

A resilient mindset allows you to view challenges as temporary and solvable, something I think Brian Buffini is brilliant at doing.

Rather than being overwhelmed by failures or setbacks, see them as stepping stones to success. Embrace challenges as learning experiences, adapt your strategies, and remain determined to achieve your goals.

4. Harness the Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking, driven by a constructive perspective, can significantly impact our ability to achieve success. It allows us to shift our focus from problems to solutions, inspiring creativity and innovation.

By maintaining a positive outlook, we can tackle challenges with enthusiasm, attract positive opportunities and empower ourselves to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Remember, success is not defined by the absence of obstacles but by our ability to confront them head-on, armed with a powerful perspective.

Embrace the power of perspective, and let it propel you towards the remarkable achievements that await on the other side of challenges.

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

2. The Free 6-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

3. The Free Interactive 6-Month Real Estate Business Review

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook