Monday, October 7, 2024

Agent introduction

    The new year is closing in, a time for resolutions and new beginnings; the ideal time to kick bad habits to the curb and create a kinder, gentler you.

    I once read a stream of responses to a Trulia blog post about real estate agents behaving badly. Responses from agents to the post included words such as “arrogant,” “inconsiderate,” and “dishonest” when describing the bad apples in their market.

    One agent commented that there are a number of agents in her market that she hopes she never has to do another deal with. “Those agents’ reputations are tarnished,” she said.

    I think it’s safe to say that the majority of real estate agents work diligently to protect not only their own reputations but that of the industry as a whole.

    But even one instance of having to make an excuse to a client for another agent’s actions is too many.

    If you’re an agent that finds it challenging to play nice with colleagues, make 2020 the year you rescue your reputation.

    The Agent Introduction postcards can be found in the postcard section under the Agent Introduction Series.
    Respond to voicemails and texts

    When I enter “Listing agents don’t return phone calls” into Google, the search engine returns “about 120,000,000 results.”

    One hundred twenty million results

    Embarrassed yet?

    Ben Sears, a flipper commenting at BiggerPockets.com, complained about one listing agent who ignored repeated messages left for her. In the end, “It took three weeks for my realtor [sic] to get a lockbox code on a property we’re looking at.”

    Can you imagine being the owner of that property, finding out that Ben wanted to make an offer but his agent’s calls to his or her agent went unanswered?

    “The listing agent won’t answer the phone,” he said. “Calls to the broker have been dead ends. They promise to forward messages but no calls back.”

    Ben’s agent is going to think twice about subjecting her future clients to the actions (or inactions) of this particular agent. Would you work with her?

    When agents don’t extend the professional courtesy of a return phone call to other agents, they are also doing irreparable harm to their clients. Ben, for instance, is an investor. His offer could’ve saved the homeowner from having the dreaded “foreclosure” on his credit record. As it is, the lender eventually took the home. All because the listing agent couldn’t be bothered to return phone calls.

    Open House/Property Flyers are located under the Flyers in the Property Flyer section.

    This is not only a breach of an agent’s fiduciary duties, but it’s a reputation crusher as well.

    Don’t even consider fluffing up property descriptions in the MLS

    Lying listings. Most agents who’ve been around a while have seen them. They describe a teardown as a “handyman special” and a dinky, claustrophobic condo as “cozy.”

    How is the buyer’s agent going to feel about you when she shows your listing that boasts of being “close to transportation” only to find that the home isn’t on public transportation, but backs to an airport runway?

    The one that truly drives other agents over the edge though, is the purposeful misclassification of townhomes and condos as single-family residences in the MLS.

    THAT one should be illegal. It’s sneaky and dishonest and a total time suck for the buyer’s agent who has to wade through the bulk they add to a listing search.

    If you are among the guilty, vow to do better this year. Your reputation will thank you for it.

    Don’t ghost other people’s clients

    If you’re strictly a buyers’ agent, and a new one at that, you can be forgiven (once) for not understanding the gyrations a homeowner goes through immediately after agreeing to a showing. Especially if the showing is last-minute and even more so if the homeowner has children and/or pets.

    It’s a race around the house, picking up, wiping up, dusting off, stowing, shoving, airing out – all the while trying to keep the kids and pets from undoing what he or she is so frantically trying to accomplish.

    Then the race to the car, the loading kids and pets into it and the drive off with no destination. Just driving, around and around, until they think the showing is over.

    Imagine how the homeowner feels when told that, after all that stress and effort, the agent and the buyer never showed up – and didn’t take the time to call and let the homeowner know they wouldn’t make it.

    Were I the homeowner, I’d leave a note on the door the entire time the home was on the market stating “Welcome Agents – Except Mary Smith with Whatever Realty. You are not allowed in my home. Ever.”

    The good news is that the real estate profession, which used to rank at the bottom of most-trusted lists, now sits slightly lower than the middle of the pack.

    We can thank journalists and members of Congress for sliding so far down that real estate agents were propelled upward in esteem.

    But agents, too, are trying harder, and that’s a good thing.

    Begin building new agent relationships with a ProspectsPLUS! holiday gift card.
    Give the gift of free marketing to the agents in your life.

    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. The 12 Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan – NEW 2020!

    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

     

     

     

    2. The Free One-Page Real Estate Business Plan – NEW 2020!

    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

     

     

     

    3. Get the ALL-NEW Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

    The “Crush It” Guide includes easy steps to launching an effective direct mail marketing campaign, how to create a targeted mailing list, the perfect way to layout marketing materials for success, seven opportunities available to target in your area right now. –Click Here

     

     

     

    4. 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

     

     

     

    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

        We have two winners!

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

        1.Congratulations Stacey Severn on winning our 1st Prize $250 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card!

        Stacey shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!

        “I like the flexibility in the templates, the ability to target accurately, and the fact that I don’t have to print labels or buy stamps, or take the time to put my mailings together.”

        “It’s all done for me!”

        Stacey’s latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – Just Sold, Fence Sitters, and Just Closed postcards.

        Just Sold, Fence Sitter, and Just Closed postcards (all available in the postcard section)

        2. Congratulations Edna Wilson on winning the 2nd Prize $100 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card

        Edna shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!,

        “This has been a game changer for me and my business!!!” I highly recommend them for all your postcard and printing needs“.

        Edna’s latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – Get More Listings, Agent Introduction, and Up Load Your Own postcards.

        Get More Listings, Agent Introduction, and Open House postcards (all available in the postcard section).

        Take the lead from Stacey and Edna 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!

          We have two winners!

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

          1.Congratulations Mila Mendoza on winning our 1st Prize $250 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card!

           

          Mila shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!

          “I’m using ProspectsPLUS! Real Estate Marketing Planner. I like every step of it!!!”

          Mila’s latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – the Fence Sitter Series, First Time Home Buyer Series, and Agent Introduction Series.

          Fence Sitter Series, First Time Buyer Series and Agent Introduction Series postcards

          2. Congratulations Ana Steinman on winning the 2nd Prize $100 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card

          Ana shared the following feedback with ProspectsPLUS!,

          I have been using ProspectPLUS! for a few months and I am very happy with their service.

          As a Real Estate Professional I find this company very professional and reliable.

          I am sending postcards very often and so far it has given me good results“.

          Ana’s latest marketing pieces she’s sent out include – The Just Sold Series, Get More Listings Series, and Neighborhood Update Series.

           

          Just Sold Series, Get More Listings Series, Neighborhood Update Series postcards

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


          You might also like:

          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!