CLOSE
Tuesday, February 18, 2025

    Even folks who aren’t thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future enjoy reading well-written real estate market reports.

    If you aren’t using market reports in your marketing efforts, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to show your area expertise. However, it’s not enough to slap up an MLS graph and call it a market report.

    If you’ve ever scratched your head over a medical report from a doc, radiologist or other medical professionals, you know how your market report recipients feel when poring over all the stats.

    It’s up to you to put them into a form that’s easily understandable to the layperson. Then, it’s up to you to let them know what it means for them.

    We’ve seen some brilliant market reports but, unfortunately, we’ve also seen some pretty bad ones. Let’s start with what not to do when writing your report.

    1. Don’t assume consumers understand real estate jargon

    “The pending ratio indicates the supply & demand of the market.”

    While this statement might be true, the author (a company that actually creates reports for agents) assumes that the average reader understands what she means by “pending.”

    Pending what? Most consumers don’t understand MLS terminology so each and every report should clearly spell out the meaning behind what you assume are widely-used terms.

    So, rewritten, it might look like this:

    When a seller accepts an offer on a home, the listing agent changes its status in the MLS from “Active” to “Pending,” meaning the home has an offer, but it hasn’t closed yet.

    The Neighborhood Update postcard is available under the Neighborhood Update Series in the Postcard section

    Then go on to explain what the pending ratio means – in clear, easy-to-understand English.

    Then, there’s “absorption rate.” One Las Vegas brokerage offers an email of a menu of local reports, including a “Monthly Absorption Report.” Sounds more like a soil report than what’s going on in the housing market. We don’t imagine they get many requests for that one.

    “Inventory” is another term that’s tossed around as if everyone understands what the agent is talking about.

    Consider appending the use of “inventory,” at least on the first usage, with an explanatory term. “Inventory of available homes” or “Inventory of homes for sale,” will get the meaning across.

    We love Long & Foster’s description in its market reports. While their graph is titled “Inventory,” the accompanying text simply says:

    “Versus last December, the total number of homes available this month was lower by 298 units or 26%.”

    Then, there are all the acronyms so frequently used by agents that may be a complete mystery to your report recipients. Like “DOM” and “Y-o-Y.”

    2. Don’t assume they understand the statistics’ implications

    Many real estate consumers don’t have a clue as to how different aspects of the economy impact the housing market and why the local economy accounts for many of the differences between the local and national market.

    We like the way Mountain Oak Properties in Asheville, North Carolina handles this:

    “Looking deeper into what is driving this steady improvement nationally and locally, you will find that the Asheville area job growth is outperforming the nation and NC.”

    The report then goes into a deeper dive of the statistics presented in the report, what job growth has to do with the real estate market and what the consumer might expect in the future.

    The Free Market Analysis postcard is available in the Free Offer Series under the Postcard section

    We all know that we can’t predict the market’s future performance based on current numbers, and you should explain that. But, as the “local expert,” you can take a stab at it.

    3. Don’t Be Too General With Your Information

    Get as specific as you can. Lucky you if your MLS provides neighborhood-specific statistics. These allow you to go hyper-local.

    Determine your target market and focus your reports accordingly. If you’re trying to achieve more listings, mention the neighborhoods with the highest price appreciation. Do the opposite if you’re hoping to lure buyers.

    4. Don’t Just Offer Stats and Dry Copy

    Once you have your report written, it’s time to get it into an easy-on-the-eyes format. Ideally, you’ll hire a graphic designer and outsource this part of the project. You can find inexpensive designers online at sites such as upwork.com or 99designs.com.

    Prefer to DIY? Consider customizing one of the thousands of templates at Canva.com. It’s an easy-to-use graphics site and most of what you’ll find there is free.

    Sure, you can take that nifty graph from your MLS and paste it into your report, but, again, it’ll be meaningless to the average real estate consumer.

    The name of the game with market reports is “Reader-Friendly.” And, since 65 percent of us are visual learners, this means using lots of colors and big, bold graphics.

    The Comparative Market Analysis postcard is available in the Call to Action Series under the Postcard section

    Brilliant market reports can help set you apart from the lazy agents. Do them right, and you’ll be one more step ahead.

    Start generating interest in your market reports now!
    Send the Free Comparative Market Analysis postcard from our Call to Action Series to at least 100 prospects in your farm or an area where you want more listings.
    You might also like:

    The Biggest Client Complaint and How Not to Be That Agent

    Agent Facebook Success: Rules of Engagement

    Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

    PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

    1. 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

     

     

    2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

     

    “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

     

     

    3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

    The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

     

     

    4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

    Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

     

     

    5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

    Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

      We have two winners!

      A first place $250 Gift Card winner & a second place $100 Gift Card winner!

      1.Congratulations Virginia Enoch on winning our 1st Prize $250 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card!

      Virginia shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!

      “A recent postcard publishing was so successful that we ordered another 100 postcards.

      We know that our success is rewarded by partnerships with proven vendors such as ProspectsPLUS!. Your products do enable us!

      I constantly see amazing new products and benefits you provide for your customers. What can I say? Well done and thank you”.

      Virginia’s latest marketing pieces she’s using include – The following Free Reports – 9 Ways to Get More Money in Less Time”, 5 Killer Tips to Sell This Summer”, “Don’t Leave Money on The Table”.

      2. Congratulations Chris Ditoro on winning the 2nd Prize $100 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card

      Chris shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!,

      “Hands down the products that ProspectsPLUS! put out are second to none. I have compared other Just Listed, Just Sold postcards and ProspectsPLUS! blows them out of the water.

      Tons of design options, Free customizable PDF reports and soooo much more. What’s there not to love about their products and services. Highly recommend 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

      I also didn’t mention. I download their PDF reports and include them in my weekly marketing email to my clients. Also I print them out and have them at open houses and when we door knock as a handout or offer in an email. So many ways to use their products”.”

      Chris’ latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – The Free Report, “6 Critical Questions to Ask”, the Get More Listings Series postcard, “I have a Buyer”, and the Just Sold postcard.

      Take the lead from Virgina and Chris and send at least 100 marketing pieces to an area where you want more buyers or sellers!

      You might also like to read:

      How to Harness the 5 Key Traits of ‘Rock Star’ Agents

      Agent Facebook Success: Rules of Engagement

      Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

        If you’ve come to the point in your real estate practice where you can’t handle everything by yourself, congratulations! Your first step, naturally, is to hire an assistant to take on some of your tasks. Your next step should be consider if your real estate business may be ready for a partner.

        A funny thing happens when you get help: you get even busier. Bernice Ross cites those oh-so-famous unnamed “most experts” when she claims that “once you hit 40-50 transactions per year, your production will be capped at that level unless you hire an assistant or someone else to help you manage your business.”

        The First Step: Decide what you want

        When you take on an alliance with another agent, the relationship can be structured however you think best. You can call that person your partner and make joint decisions in the business. Or, you can hire a buyers’ or listing agent.

        The best choice when it comes to achieving a work-life balance, however, is a full-time partner.

        Yes, you’ll end up splitting the income, but if you hire wisely, your partner will be generating additional business. Hire extremely wisely and you’ll most likely end up making what you did before, or maybe more.

        The Timing is Every postcard is available in the postcard section under the Fence-Sitter Series Seller.
        The benefits of partnering

         When was the last time you took a weekend off or even (gasp!) a vacation? “Vacation coverage is a prime benefit to having a partner,” according to real estate trainer Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn.

        “Your first vacation when you truly don’t have to worry about business? You’ll wonder why you didn’t get a partner before,” she says.

        Qualities of the perfect real estate business partner

        Determine your priorities and expectations first. Make a list of tasks that you routinely perform that you never want to do again. For instance, if the thought of holding one more open house on a Sunday afternoon when you’d rather be golfing is nauseating, make a note to find someone who actually enjoys holding homes open.

        While the partner you decide to team up with should have a different skill set and task preferences than you do, your ethics and work habits should be similar.

        If you’re an overachiever, naturally you don’t want to partner with a slacker.

        Florida agent Peggy Gatchet took on a partner when she went from part-time to full-time real estate sales. Her primary goal was to find someone who works as hard as she does.

        “You have to feel like that person is going to meet you toe-to-toe, hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute,” she explains. “If they don’t, there’s going to be some resentment that will build.”

        Qualities to look for in a real estate business partner include:

        • An agent whose production level mirrors yours
        • Someone who likes doing the tasks you find tedious
        • An agent who shares your work ethic
        • A person you trust
        The Time is Running Out postcard is available in the postcard section under the Fencesitter Series.
        Determine the exit strategy before the entrance

        Business partners don’t take vows that are expected to last as long as you both shall live. Someday, the partnership will dissolve and both of you need to recognize this and prepare for it.

        Allan-Hagedorn provides a cautionary tale from her own experience with the ending of a business partnership. “We both felt that we were entitled to the partnership’s client database.”

        So, hammer out an exit strategy and get it in writing. Include every last detail, including how you’ll deal with the folks in your CRM.

        In fact, a formal and legal partnership agreement is ideal, for both of you, according to Kelle Sparta, author of “The Consultative Real Estate Agent – Building Relationships that Create Loyal Clients, Get More Referrals and Increase Your Sales.”

        “A partnership agreement is like a prenuptial agreement,” she explains and suggests that a thorough agreement will formalize both sides’ expectations on basic issues, such as:

        • Which of you will perform which tasks
        • How will you split commissions, BPO fees, and referral fees
        • What happens if one partner becomes incapacitated or dies
        • Agree how you will dissolve the partnership when you both agree it’s no longer working
        • Decide how you’ll divvy up the client and prospect roster
        • Make a decision how you will deal with current listings when the partnership ends
        • How will you divide the physical assets of the partnership (jointly purchased electronics, office equipment, etc.)

        Despite the work involved in forming a partnership, “Having been a solo practitioner and having been part of a team, I really must confess to preferring the latter,” Sparta recalls. “I loved not having to do things alone. I loved having someone I could call and say ‘I’m not going to make it for the appraiser, can you meet him?’”

        The Still on the Fence postcard is available in the postcard section under the Fencesitter Series

        A partnership isn’t for everyone. If you’re tired of your whole life being wrapped up in your business, however, and need relief, it just might be your key to more personal freedom.

        Send the Still on the Fence Postcard from the Fence-Sitter Series to at least 100 new prospects in an area where you want more listings.
        Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

        PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

        1. 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

         

         

        2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

         

        “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

         

         

        3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

        The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

         

         

        4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

        Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

         

         

        5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

        Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

          If you’re spending time and money on email marketing, there are “best practices” that you can follow to ensure that your emails are opened, read, enjoyed and that they produce business.

          Let’s walk through the two most critical parts of an email and look at ways to ensure both do their fair share of the heavy lifting.

          1. Your real estate email subject line

          Most marketers we’ve spoken with claim that the subject line of an email is critical – more important than even the substance of the email.

          They have a point. The subject line determines whether the recipient opens or tosses the email.

          Regardless of how interested your recipients are in what you’re selling, they’ll skip over your email unless you entice them not to.

          For instance, since I firmly believe that baby boomers are the wave of real estate’s near future, I’ve joined several boomer website’s email lists.

          One of them uses the same subject line on every email. Identical. Never varies:

          “First Look: Baby Boomers”

          As interested as I am in baby boomer real estate attitudes, I seldom open these emails. I always think I’ll find the time later on but I seldom do.

          Today, I opened one and the first link to a story on their website is “Are You Making This Big Retirement Mistake?”

          Send out the Too Much House postcard (available in the postcard section under Life Event Series)

          What a brilliant title! If I were close to retirement, I would find this topic so compelling I would click on the link.

          Had this been the subject of the email, it would’ve been opened immediately. Think of the website visits this company is missing out on by being so lazy with their email subject lines.

          According to Olivia Allen at Hubspot.com, there are seven key concepts to keep in mind when writing email subject lines. The three most pertinent to the real estate agent include:

          • Urgency: It’s the old FOMO concept at work here – the “fear of missing out.” Agents use this often when discussing low interest rates and low home prices, stressing (hopefully) that they won’t last forever.
          • Curiosity: The baby boomer story about the big retirement mistake fits this concept.
          • Personalization: Smart agents who segment their databases are most likely quite familiar with personalizing content according to a lead’s position in the pipeline, whether a buyer or seller, looking for a condo or a house, etc. Email open rates improve when subject lines are personalized to recipients’ interests.

          You can find all seven concepts and more information about email subject lines at Hubspot.com.

          1. Your real estate email signature

          Recently, an agent in a Facebook real estate group posted his email signature, asking for feedback from the group. And, did he get feedback!

          Here’s a look at his email signature, with identifying information changed:

          Advice he was given that we find spot on includes:
          • Dump the designations. Studies show that real estate consumers neither understand what they mean or care. Unless it’s an academic designation, such as a JD or PhD, they’re just distractions and clutter.
          • That magazine recognition is quite impressive, until you get to the dates. Has he slacked off since 2016? We think he should leave off the dates.
          • Unless it’s law in your area, leave off your license numbers. Also, we would suggest he add “Real Estate” before “Associate Broker” and leave off mention of his appraiser’s license. To the basic consumer, “Associate Broker” doesn’t mean anything. . .broker of what? With the addition of his appraisal license, it appears he may be a broker of appraisals.
          • There are far too many telephone numbers in his signature. Also, what’s the difference between “direct” and “cell?” Isn’t a cell number a direct line? Dump the eFax number completely.
          • The mission statement should go as well. Use that space for an amazing client testimonial.
          • Where’s his website URL, his Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media links?
          • There are several technical errors as well. These include inconsistencies in phone number format; some numbers have the area code in parenthesis while others don’t. Punctuation bloopers (serial commas in the mission statement, etc.).

          His colleagues also reminded him that most emails are opened on mobile devices with small screens and doubt that this will show well on such. They also suggested his phone number should be first so that people don’t have to wade through all the self-serving hype to find it.

          One agent saw what the rest of us missed: too many links in an e-signature may trigger spam filters. All of the blue text in his signature are links.

          The bottom line, from that brilliant agent, is to keep your email signature “simple and license law compliant.”

          Send the Retiring Soon postcard (available in the postcard section under Life Events Series).
          Attract Baby Boomers by sending out the Retiring Soon postcard from the Life Event Series.

          Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

          PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

          1. 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

           

           

          2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

           

          “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

           

           

          3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

          The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

           

           

          4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

          Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

           

           

          5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

          Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

            Last year at this time, the news was full of the gloom and doom the president’s new tax plan was going to drop on the real estate market – especially the high-end second-home market.

            Some experts predicted that owners who can’t find a tax loophole may end up selling, thus adding to the luxury home inventory.

            Selling any home requires an understanding of the buyer pool. When the home is high-end, it’s even more important, as this pool is significantly smaller and those swimming in it are much more specific in their wants and needs.

            While the list changes frequently, a few features that attract affluent homebuyers remain the same decade after decade. These include privacy and security, a personalized or custom space and a home that helps build “happy memories with family and friends,” according to a 2018 Luxury Portfolio International® study.

            Putting these qualities into words and highlighting them is critical when marketing a luxury property.

            What else are today’s wealthy homebuyers seeking? Read on to learn more.

            What are the affluent homebuyer’s hot buttons?

            It’s challenging to lump together any group of individuals and assume they all want the same things. The luxury homebuying pool is no exception. International buyers, for instance, have vastly different desires than the luxury buyer planning to live in the home full-time.

            Then, the more expensive the home, the longer the list of must-haves.

            Available in the postcard section under the Luxury Series.

            But, when studying domestic luxury homebuyers, certain themes become apparent. These include their desire for privacy, energy efficiency and a spa-like master suite, among others.

            Privacy

            Privacy tops the list of concerns of affluent homebuyers, according to the Luxury Portfolio International study of the top 10 percent (by income) of real estate consumers.

            This is particularly evident in land-starved areas, such as Silicon Valley, where Mark Zuckerberg bought four of his neighbor’s homes to provide a buffer between his family and the rest of us. He also walled off his neighbor’s ocean views near his Hawaii home, trying to create even more privacy.

            Wealthy homebuyers want tech-friendly homes

            When we think “tech-friendly” we typically picture a millennial homebuyer. Recent surveys show, however that 87 percent of buyers shopping in the luxury market won’t purchase a home that doesn’t offer tech features.

            App-driven security systems are the most in-demand feature (with more than half of high-end property buyers requesting them), followed by automated climate control.

            If your luxury listing’s tech system also extends to controlling other home systems, you’ll want to hit the feature hard in your marketing materials.

            Scaled back swimming pool

            A Redfin study finds that luxury buyers, for the most part, still insist on a swimming pool, but they want it to be smaller. This makes sense when we understand their desire for more backyard entertainment features. A smaller pool leaves more room for these additional features.

            What the affluent seek in a real estate agent

            According to a 2017 Luxury Portfolio International white paper, there are three qualities that the high-end home shopper or seller is seeking in an agent.

            The first is trustworthiness. Let your testimonials do the heavy lifting on this one. Ensure that you place your best one above the fold on your website and that the others are easily accessible.

            The second quality you’ll need to attract affluent real estate consumers is proof that you understand the “details that distinguish the best.” This means understanding “artistic craftsmanship.”

            Yes, it’s something that can be learned, but it takes time. Immerse yourself in architecture and art. Tour high-end homes to get a feel for what constitutes “aesthetic quality.” Get to know the luxury brands that this pool of homebuyers finds valuable.

            Finally, when asked about their ideal real estate agent, luxury homebuyers say they want to work with someone who is willing to “take the time to understand my needs.”

            Now that one is universal.

            A great resource for agents interested in entering the luxury market is Michael LaFido’s Luxury Blueprint Video Series. It’s a three-part series on how to break into and sell more high-end and luxury homes.

            You can also listen to his podcast “Luxury Listing Specialist” on iTunes or Stitcher. For information on Michael’s Luxury Listing Specialist Certification Click Here.

            Luxury Property Flyers (available under the Luxury Marketing tab on our website)
            If you have a luxury property listing be sure to order Luxury Property Flyers to enhance your client’s property and highlight its outstanding features.

            Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

            PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

            1. 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

             

             

            2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

             

            “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

             

             

            3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

            The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

             

             

            4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

            Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

             

             

            5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

            Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

              Content is the cornerstone of your online presence and your brand’s biggest ambassador. Done right and shared frequently, it will deliver visitors to your website where you can work your conversion magic.

              Writing isn’t easy for those who don’t do it every day. But you don’t need to bend it like Dostoevsky or Shakespeare. Once you realize that, you free yourself of that little nag in your head that tells you that you suck at writing.

              Let’s take a look at some of the basics, as applied to your blog posts but transferrable to most website content.

              1. Know your audience

              It’s crazy to try to target every conceivable real estate consumer in one blog post. You won’t succeed.

              Before setting fingers to keyboard, take the time to think about to whom your topic will appeal. That is your audience for this particular post.

              That’s the person you’ll imagine as you write. For instance, when writing a post on downsizing, your audience is most likely:

              • A homeowner
              • A member of the baby boomer generation
              • Someone who owns a large home
              • Someone who needs help both selling and buying

              Draw an imaginary picture of this person, sitting at his or her computer reading your article. Keep that picture top-of-mind while writing.

              1. Remain focused on the topic

              Nothing will tick your readers off more than a snappy title luring them into reading a post that ends up having little to do with the title. The anger will be worse if your post offers no solutions and few answers.

              Their anger toward you is well deserved; you’ve effectively ripped off their time.

              It’s a common problem with folks who don’t write for a living. A solution to this is to create the title of your piece last.

              Free Report for Real Estate Marketing to sellers
              available under the Free Report tab on our website.

              Then, when you’re finished writing and you proofread it, determine your main theme, come up with a brilliant title and remove anything in the post that strays from it.

              1. Short and simple

              This rule applies to sentences as well as paragraphs and even words.

              Don’t use a $5 million word when a $2 word will suffice

              For example:

              • We will accompany you – We will go with you
              • When you relocate to – When you move to
              • The optimum time to buy (or sell) – The best time to buy (or sell)
              • Obtain a mortgage – get a home loan
              • Purchase a home – Buy a home

              The same holds true for sentences and paragraphs; keep them short and easy to read.

              1. Looks matter

              When a visitor lands on your blog post, it’s the visual appeal that he or she will notice first. If your post appears too wordy, too challenging to read, the chances are good your visitor will leave.

              Aside from that snappy title, one of the best ways to “trick” them into staying is by making the post appear to be a quick, easy read. Use the following in each post:

              • Lots of white space. You can get this by keeping your paragraphs short – no longer than five sentences, but shorter is better.
              • Bullet points
              • Numbered lists
              • Stand-alone quotes
              1. Proof and edit – a couple of times

              Congratulations! You’ve got yourself a first draft. Keep in mind that

              “The first draft of anything is sh#$”

              According to the late Ernest Hemmingway.

              Now, you need to hone that blog post. Read through it, looking for spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. Then, check it for factual and logical errors. Ensure that claims you make are backed up by facts.

              We found the perfect example of a logical error on a New Jersey luxury agent’s blog. He opens it with a question, asking the reader if he or she is considering “knocking down the walls of an existing property.”

              As opposed to a non-existing property? Hopefully, had the agent proofed his post, he would’ve caught this. Obviously, he didn’t proof.

              After making your edits, read the post once more for flow. Organize the information so that each thought leads logically to the next.

              Then, set it aside for a few hours and repeat the process. You may be surprised how many mistakes you missed on the first-read.

              available under the Free Report tab on our website.

              Your final task is to share your content — in as many places as possible.

              Offer the Free Report, “Five Ways Waiting to Sell Can Cost You Thousands” as an opt in our your blog in exchange for email addresses.

              Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

              PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

              1. 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

               

               

              2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

               

              “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

               

               

              3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

              The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

               

               

              4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

              Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

               

               

              5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

              Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                If you’re of a certain age you may recall when the personal computer was brand spanking new to the world and all the promises it held out to us.

                It would usher in a paperless society, they said. It will transform our work environment, saving tons of time and making us more productive, they promised.

                Sure, personal computers have caused the demise of the video store and we no longer have to stand in line at the bank, but many of us still deal with piles of paper and spend way too much time online.

                Both of those (paperwork and the internet) are major time thieves, but they aren’t the only ones you may routinely face during the work day.

                Email is supposed to be a tool

                A recent Michigan State University study found that we spend more than 90 minutes a day – “or seven-and-a-half hours every week – recovering from email interruptions.”

                Have you ever figured out what your time is worth? Take your annual commission amount and divide it by 2,000 (the average number of hours most people work each year, with two weeks deducted for vacation time).

                That’s a rough estimate of your hourly rate. That is how much money you lose, per day, by allowing yourself to be a slave to your email. Multiply that out over the course of a year – shocking, isn’t it?

                Think about how much more productive you would be with an extra hour and a half each day. Then, stop being reactive when it comes to email. Turn off email notifications and only check for new emails during specific times.

                Or, assign email-checking to your assistant. No assistant? Why not?

                Social media marketing as a rabbit hole

                Yes, social media marketing is important. But it is entirely too easy to stop by Facebook to share your latest blog post and end up chasing shiny objects. Minutes can easily turn into an hour, or more.

                In fact, studies by eMarketer claim that we spend 40 minutes a day on Facebook. Add that 40 minutes (if it’s not spent solely on business marketing) to the 90 you lose checking email and you’ve lost more than 2 hours a day to non-income-producing distractions.

                Use Free Reports as opt ins and sellers calling you (available under our Free Report tab).

                If the shiny objects are far too attractive to you, plan on saving your social media marketing for the end of the day. Then, discipline yourself to save the socializing for after you take care of the marketing stuff.

                Temptations in the home office

                You can’t beat working from home. Wear whatever you want, eat lunch whenever you want and take breaks whenever you please.

                It’s a blessing, yes, but it’s also a curse. There are so many distractions when working from home—distractions that can ruin your productivity.

                Not only does the pile of clean laundry call out to you to be folded and put away, but other household chores suddenly seem more interesting than the work at hand. Besides, it’ll only take a few minutes, right?

                Staying focused on your work can be challenging. If it is for you, try the “rule of 52 and 17.” John Rampton at Inc.com says.

                The study apparently found that “the most productive people take a 17-minute break every 52 minutes.” Rampton adjusted the rule to fit his attention span and works “in shorter, 30-minute sprints,” breaking for 5 to 7 minutes.

                Set a timer or ask Alexa to remind you when your time is up, but vow to remain focused during the work period. Then you can fold that laundry.

                But, there’s more

                Home office workers don’t know this but they have a sign on their backs that says “I’m at home so I’m not really working. Feel free to ask me to pick up your dry-cleaning, run your daughter to ballet class or drop your dog at the vet.”

                Find a local professional errand runner and keep his or her phone number handy. Every time your sister calls with an errand for you to run, give her the number.

                Setting boundaries is actually the key to success. It may take time, but the more often you meet these requests by reminding the people making them that you are working, the less it will happen.

                These time-wasters only scratch the surface of what a real estate agent may face during the work day. Add time-wasting clients, disorganized work spaces and cars and working without a plan to the list.

                Learning how to be more self-disciplined isn’t easy but it’s critical to the success of your real estate business. Plus, it makes you happy, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality.

                “Exerting self-control can make you happier not only in the long run, but also in the moment,” Time.com’s Maia Szalavitz says, citing the study.

                Apparently, “managing conflicting goals” successfully makes us feel good. In real estate, it also helps you make more money.

                Get hands raising with an attention-getting free report (available under the Free Report tabe on our website).
                Educate your target market and get them leaning forward to work with you by adding the Free Report, “9 Ways to Get More Money, Less Time, With Less Headaches“ as an opt in to all of your marketing.

                 

                Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

                PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

                1. 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

                 

                 

                2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

                 

                “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

                 

                 

                3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

                The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

                 

                 

                4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

                Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

                 

                 

                5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

                Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                  We have two winners!

                  A first place $250 Gift Card winner & a second place $100 Gift Card winner!

                  1.Congratulations Joanne Gillet on winning our 1st Prize $250 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card!

                  Joanne shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!

                  “Fast and easy, or if you have any questions a representative is there to help with custom cards or to get a quick automatic postcard sent out! Love it!”

                  Joanne’s latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – A Just Listed postcard and a Upload Your Own design postcard.

                  Send out Just Listed and Just Sold postcards to multiply your results (Available in the postcard section)

                  2. Congratulations Phyllis Staines on winning the 2nd Prize $100 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card

                  Phyllis shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!,

                  “Easy to use, prices are affordable and delivery is fast!”

                  Phyllis’ latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – The Call To Action postcard and the Neighborhood Update postcard.

                  Send the Call To Action Series or Neighborhood Update Series and get them excited to call you (available in the postcards section)

                  Take the lead from Joanne and Phyllis and send at least 100 marketing pieces to an area where you want more buyers or sellers!

                  You might also like to read:

                  How to Harness the 5 Key Traits of ‘Rock Star’ Agents

                  Agent Facebook Success: Rules of Engagement

                  Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

                    Even in the fastest-moving real estate markets, some homes just don’t sell. You know the reasons this happens and chief among them is that the home is overpriced. When a listing is priced right, however, it’s usually the home’s condition that keeps buyers from swooning over it.

                    If investors are swooping in on your homeowner with rock-bottom offers to purchase, perhaps it’s time for you to step in and politely demand that the homeowner make some changes.

                    Even basic fixes can help move a home. But perception drives value, so consider some of the psychological aspects of staging a home.

                    Take a cue from the retail and restaurant industries

                    In fine dining restaurants, presentation of the meal is critically important. It has, in fact, been elevated to a culinary art form.

                    When plating a meal, a fine dining chef combines color, texture and even space to make the meal attractive to the diner. Compelling plating has other benefits too:

                    • It adds value to the dining experience
                    • Increases the restaurant’s profits by making it easier to upsell
                    • Helps build the restaurant’s reputation

                    Retailers have also long valued the benefits of presentation. More than two-thirds of consumers interviewed in a Morpace Omnibus survey said that they’ve avoided a retailer based solely on how it appeared from the exterior.

                    Get there attention with content that matters to them (available in the postcard section under the Content Card Series)

                    Curb appeal apparently is just as important in retail as it is in real estate

                    Even once they’re inside the store, the retailer isn’t safe from consumers’ negative perceptions. A couple of years ago, Harris Interactive surveyed 1,000 Americans about what features of a store most negatively impact their perceptions of the store.

                    “A surprisingly high 86 percent of those surveyed pointed to the floor,” according to Daniel Frimmel, at CSNews.com.

                    He explains that “a store with soiled or poorly maintained floors would definitely be a factor in their decision to revisit that store again.”

                    Remind you of any other consumers? How many times has ratty carpet or holes in vinyl turned a homebuyer off even when everything else about the home is ideal?

                    Curb appeal, staging and cosmetic repairs are all visual cues for homebuyers. But they aren’t the only ones.

                    If you have a difficult listing, it may be time to dig deeper into the arsenal.

                    The nose knows

                    To compete with online retailers, the brick-and-mortar guys (and gals) are using something the online shopper just isn’t provided: a sensory experience.

                    “Sensory marketing targets a consumer’s basic senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell,” explains David Anzel at RetailCustomerService.com.

                    After sight, the next most commonly used of our five senses when viewing homes for sale is scent. When the front door opens, what do your clients smell? Yeah, there are some pretty nasty smells out there.

                    But, it doesn’t have to stink.

                    Related: Three Common Myths About Things That Impact a Home’s Value

                    If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas you know that cigarette smoking is prevalent in the casinos. In fact, a study done a few years ago found that more than half of casino patrons smoke cigarettes.

                    Unless you’re sitting next to a smoker, however, the air smells surprisingly smoke-free. That’s because almost two decades ago, casino owners brought in experts in air filtrations systems who provided devices that were attached to the ventilation system and pumped out “highly aromatic and shockingly expensive oils into the ducts,” according to PaceVegas.com’s Pesach “Pace” Lattin.

                    While the cost of these devices is a bit more than the average homeowner or real estate agent would be willing to pay, there are other ways to rid homes of pet, baby, cooking, smoking and other stenches.

                    It all starts with a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to those items that attract and cling to odors”

                    • Range hood filter
                    • Draperies and curtains
                    • Bedspreads
                    • Carpet
                    • HVAC filters

                    Then, have your client paint the entire home. If they smoke in the home, tell them to grab a can of KILZ Primer when they buy their paint.

                    As the paint dries, look around the home for common items that many homeowners use for odor control. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension offers a list that includes the usual baking soda, vanilla extract and fabric softener sheets, but it also offers some you may have not heard of before:

                    • Listerine for cleaning
                    • A solution of citronella oil and a half cup of rubbing alcohol in a gallon of water for cleaning the bathroom.
                    • Hang DIY sachets of cat box filler or potpourri in the closets to rid them of stale smells.

                    Suggest that when your clients install the new HVAC filter, they sprinkle a few drops of a lightly-scented essential oil on it. Apparently, the scent only lasts for a week, so reapplication may be necessary.

                    Remember that even the most heavenly scent to one person may be downright disgusting to another so caution your clients to keep cover-up smells light.

                    Open the lines of communication with valuable content (available in the postcard section under the Content Card Series)

                     

                    Ready to spread the word on curb appeal?
                    Send at least 100 Making the Most of Curb Appeal postcards from the Content Card Series to an area where you want more listings.
                    You might also like:

                    Master the Art of Writing Listing Descriptions That Sell

                    Downsizing: How to Help Your Older Real Estate Clients

                    Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

                    PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

                    1. 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

                     

                     

                    2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

                     

                    “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

                     

                     

                    3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

                    The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

                     

                     

                    4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

                    Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

                     

                     

                    5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

                    Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                      Welcome to real estate, rookie! Those world’s-most-boring-classes and the licensing exam were the prelude to what may just turn out to be a very lucrative and fulfilling business.

                      But only if you get off to a good start and that’s just what we hope to help you with today. So, forget about sitting in a cubby, staring at a blank wall or a quiet phone and the background conversations that sound like a foreign language.

                      You’ve got work to do!

                      1. Choose your broker carefully

                      You’ll need to “hang” your license with a real estate broker and, depending on the size of your town you may have slim pickin’s or so many you have no idea where to start.

                      First, decide if you want to work for one of the big national companies, such as RE/MAX or Keller Williams, or if you prefer the small, boutique-style local brokerages. They both have their pluses and minuses.

                      Since we advocate that you interview more than one broker, why not interview a couple of each of the above?

                      Here are some questions you’ll want answers to:

                      What split are you offering?

                      This refers to your commission split. For each transaction (unless the broker represents both the buyer and the seller), the commission paid by the seller is split two ways. This means that the listing broker and the selling broker each get half the commission.

                      Then, each broker pays their listing/buyer agent their agreed-upon share. Splits vary, but the typical rookie agent is offered around 50 percent.

                      Is there a desk fee?

                      This is basically rent for the space you use at the office. Not all brokers charge this fee.

                      Do you offer floor time to agents?

                      Floor time is a predetermined amount of time that you agree to be in the office to field calls (some questions can’t be legally answered by the receptionist, unless he or she is licensed) and to speak with walk-ins.

                      Yes, it’s a hassle. But it may result in generating a lead or two and maybe even a buying client. It’s worth it if for no other reason that you’ll become accustomed to speaking with real estate consumers.

                      Related: 5 Ways Agents Sabotage Their Careers
                      What type of marketing are you doing?

                      While you will definitely want to come up with a plan to market your business, marketing the company is the broker’s job. The more exposure the company gets, the better for each agent.

                      Finally, ask about the broker’s training program for new agents. My first broker didn’t have a program but he spent lots of time with new agents weekly, teaching us everything from how to read the contract upside down and compiling fake CMAs to some scripts and dialogs he felt were effective.

                      Once you’re with a broker you can join the NAR and the local association, so be prepared to shell out some significant bucks.

                      1. Get business cards

                      Many new agents order business cards through their broker, which is fine in the beginning. You will soon grow out of those, however, so don’t order too many.

                      Get the word out and stay connected with a personalized business card (available under the Business Card tab)

                      Once you’ve settled into the daily real estate business routine you’ll want to work on your branding and, most important, get your own website set up. Once this is finished, order new, Business Cards, complete with your website’s URL. 

                      1. Purchase CRM software

                      Customer relation management will be one of the more critical tasks in your real estate business and, thankfully, there are software solutions to help streamline the process.

                      Ask around the office to get a feel for the best CRM solutions and you’ll find the same names pop up repeatedly.

                      • LionDesk
                      • pipedrive
                      • Market Leader
                      • Wise Agent
                      • Follow Up Boss
                      • realvolve
                      • Top Producer

                      When you’ve found one or two that sound right, run your choices by your broker to help you decide. He or she has worked with enough rookies to understand what they need in a CRM and how to choose one that will grow with you.

                      Get the software up and running and start populating it with the contact information of family, friends and close acquaintances. This is your sphere of influence, and they’ll be important in your efforts to harness the power of referrals.

                      1. Contact everyone you know who lives in the area

                      You know a lot more people than you may think:

                      • Doctor
                      • Dentist
                      • Veterinarian
                      • Dog Groomer
                      • Dry Cleaner
                      • Barista
                      • Hair Stylist or Barber
                      • Nail Technician
                      • Folks at the gym where you work out
                      • Landlord/lady and former landlords/ladies
                      • Your kids’ friends’ parents
                      • Teachers
                      • Former colleagues

                      This list represents just a small fraction of groups of people that you may know; use it to brainstorm additional sources.

                      It doesn’t matter how you contact these people – call, email, snail mail – but reach out to them and let them all know that you’re now in real estate.

                      Consider sending an Agent Introduction postcard to those people you won’t be calling on the phone. And be sure to mention, whether in person, by phone, email or snail mail, that you’re happy to help anyone they know who may be thinking of buying or selling a home. 

                      1. Create a business and marketing plan

                      It’s a rare rookie who prepares a business and marketing plan. Hey, we get it, it’s a complete hassle and other parts of the new business which are more attractive, beckon.

                      Every successful agent we know, however, has a plan, even if rudimentary and written on post-it notes.

                      Check out the Real Estate Marketing Planner for 12 months of strategic marketing ideas. This Planner is a free resource provided by us for you.

                      Our One Page Real Estate Business Plan is another free resource that we have made available for you. It’s simple, yet gives you a direct path to achieving your business goals.

                      Watch this space next month for Part 2 of How to Spend your First 30 Days as a new real estate agent. See you then!

                      Let everyone know how to find you when they are looking for real estate help (available in the postcard section under Agent Introduction Series)
                      Send out Agent Introduction postcards to your newly created Sphere of Influence.
                      Make sure they know who to call when they are ready.
                      You might also like:

                      The Biggest Client Complaint and How Not to Be That Agent

                      Agent Facebook Success: Rules of Engagement

                      Need help targeting the perfect niche of buyers or sellers? Use our mailing list tool to create the ideal list (it’s easy) or call our support team for assistance at 866.405.3638!

                      PLUS: When you have time…here are Free killer tools to help your success this year!

                      1. 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

                       

                       

                      2. “Get More Listings” Free Online Webinar

                       

                      “Get MORE Listings & Begin to Dominate Your Market!” Free online webinar. Learn the 3-7-27 strategy for explosive growth, why 95% of agents have less than 20% market share, and how to become the agent everyone competes against. – Click Here

                       

                       

                      3. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

                      The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do when. Four key market segments are included, Niche Marketing, Get More Listings, Geographic Farming, and Sphere of Influence. –Click Here

                       

                       

                      4. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan

                      Treat your business like a business it is vital to long-term success in this industry. Some agents may put together elaborate business plans, yet there’s something powerful about keeping it simple. Check out our one page Online Real Estate Business Plan.  – Click Here

                       

                       

                      5. The Free Online ROI Calculator

                      Consistency and automation are the keys to success. Discover how effective direct mail marketing can dramatically increase your bottom line. Enter your statistics in our Free online ROI Calculator and click the ‘CALCULATE MY ROI’ button to see your results instantly! –Click Here

                      Prev1...626364...66Next Page 63 of 66
                      © 2025 ProspectsPLUS! | Real Estate Marketing Blog