In even the smallest real estate markets, at least one agent has carved out a lucrative niche by specializing in luxury properties.
After a time, this agent (or these agents) become so entrenched and established in the niche that other agents tend to think they couldn’t possibly compete.
Yes, it does require a somewhat hefty marketing budget and a whole lot of tenacity, but it is possible to be your market’s next luxury home specialist.
Don’t ignore the realities
Listing luxury homes is vastly different than listing tract homes. Sure, your seller will fill out the same forms as her tract home neighbor, but that’s just about where the similarities end.
Specializing in luxury real estate isn’t a fake-it-until-you-make-it process. You’ll need to understand the affluent, as their wants and needs are significantly different than other homebuyers and sellers. Like getting to know any target market, this is a must.
Marketing the luxury property requires, as mentioned earlier, a robust marketing budget and the knowledge of where your likely clients hang out so that you can properly target that marketing.
There is a shortcut, however: find a mentor.
I see you cringing. “I’ve been an agent for 15 years and you want me to tag along with someone else for a couple of months?”
Yes, we do, at least if you want to take the shortcut to those very nice commission checks.
If you’re lucky enough to secure a “sure, I’ll mentor you,” be prepared to soak up every last drop of knowledge, from how he or she runs the business and determines value on luxury property to going along on listing presentations and being present for contract negotiations.
Oh—and ask questions. Lots and lots of questions.
Pricing the luxury home
If you decide to take the DIY route, you’ll have a steep learning curve ahead of you.
Coming up with an appropriate list price may be one of the more challenging aspects. Luxury homes quite often don’t have comps.
Before attempting to compile a CMA for a luxury property it’s important to know as much as possible about every home in the surrounding area, according to Beverly Hills luxury agent David Kean of David Kean & Associates.
I spoke with Kean a few years ago about what he would recommend to agents seeking to enter the niche. Kean said that he tours every new luxury property listing as it comes on the market.
Then, when he is compiling an evaluation, he has actually seen the comps, first-hand so he is better able to compare apples to apples.
Setting a suggested list price is but one challenge when beginning your career in luxury real estate. Getting to know your most likely clientele and building a marketing budget and a vendor team are others.
You’ll find some tips for newbies and seasoned luxury agents at luxurylistingspecialist.com.
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PLUS: When you have time…here are some helpful resources we’ve made available to support your success.
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