Saturday, October 12, 2024

listings

    Uh oh, here comes summer; the busiest season for real estate consumers and agents.

    Well, it used to be anyway. At this writing, new listings, nationwide, are down a smidge. But, as we know, all real estate is local and your mileage may vary, depending on where you practice real estate.

    Las Vegas, for instance, has seen a 9.4% increase in homes for sale and agents are celebrating! 

    Since online marketing of your business is so important, and we are heading into the busiest season, I’ve decided to dive into some various tried-and-true online tactics you may want to try out to bring in more listings.

    There’s a form of online advertising to fit every agent’s budget

    Choosing the form of advertising comes right after you promise yourself that your ads will be laser-targeted. Go after one segment of the market; listings, for instance. Then, focus solely on that in your ads.

    Where to advertise? Here are three places that are easy to start:

    • Facebook ads
    • Google ads
    • On your website (and cross-promote to social media)

    Figure out your chosen audience’s pain points and focus on solving those. Since we’re talking about listings, what’s keeping folks from selling their homes?

    High-interest rates, if they hope to buy another home, is most likely the biggest fear. Many have such a low interest rate currently, they’re hesitant to trade for one that is much higher.

    But other reasons are keeping homeowners from selling. If you need tips on what these reasons are, reach out to former clients and ask. Even if they aren’t considering selling, ask them the hypothetical “If you needed to sell right now, what would be your biggest challenge (or fear or whatever).

    Not only does this count as a “nurture” call, you may also get some good information, and, who knows? A listing?

    Let’s take a look at some other traditional yet effective ways to get your name out there.

    Email newsletters

    I receive several real estate newsletters via email every month. I love them! But I only subscribe to those that are hyper local and offer timely advice and information. 

    Cookie-cutter newsletters are fine, but reword what you can so that the information fits your market.

    Social Media

    Social media is ideal not only for fishing for listings but for the bait, as well. The bait?

    Those hyper-local posts that readers find so compelling. Lure them onto your social media platforms and blog and then go fishing. Subtly.

    Summer is full of events in most towns. If all else fails, review places folks can cool off, such as the best ice cream shop in town, the best public swimming pool, and reviews of nearby public beaches.

    Social media (again)

    Facebook groups are well worth the time you will spend interacting with members.

    We aren’t talking about real estate groups, but consumer groups, such as decorating, gardening, home improvement, home maintenance, and anywhere else that homeowners may hang out. 

    If the topic of the group is something you enjoy, all the better. Posting informative posts is a brilliant way to attract the attention of home sellers. Be subtle, though, in your mentions of what you do for a living.  

    If you’ve put off planning your ad campaigns, now is the time to step up and get it done.


    When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.

    1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazin

    Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct, response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts and engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card!Click Here

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

    The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 6-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

    3. The Free Online Real Estate Business Plan

    The Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for the year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your financial goals.   – Click Here

    4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

    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


     

      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

      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


        Congratulations on that new listing. And those photos that your pro photographer snapped are gorgeous. Also looks like you put a lot of thought into writing the listing description.

        It’s a pity that you hit the submit button before you uploaded a floor plan. But you don’t use floor plans in your listings, do you? Most agents don’t, and those who do want to thank you for not using them.

        Maybe this will convince you: One in 10 buyers surveyed said that they wouldn’t even look at a home for sale if they hadn’t seen a floor plan first, and this number continues to increase. (Rightmove).


        Attract Buyers with the Rent By Numbers Campaign shown above. Learn more, HERE

        NAR’s latest Generational Trends Report says that the third most important feature of an agent’s website (according to buyers) is a floor plan in listings. It ranked third last year as well.

        Numbers one and two are photos and the listing description.

        It’s a new era. We’re in a worldwide pandemic that’s turned the way you do business upside down.

        Consider including floor plans with your listings. The process isn’t as expensive and time-consuming as you might assume.

        Besides, buyers want them.

        Matterport

        The OG of real estate agent floorplans, Matterport is typically what we think of when the topic comes up.

        Matterport’s 3D interactive floor plan offers clients what they truly crave: the ability to “walk through” a home and view what they want to view, not what a videographer wants them to see.

        According to the company’s website, using Matterport floor plans in your real estate listings will result in:

        • A 4-9% higher sales price
        • DOM decrease of up to 31%

        Matterport currently offers four price points:

        • Free
        • $9.99 a month
        • $69 a month
        • $309 a month

        Along with the price of the plan, you’ll need to purchase a 360 camera. Learn more about that process at matterport.com/camera.

        Agent reviews are all over the map.


        Build your High-Income Renter prospect list now. Learn more HERE

        One Las Vegas agent claims that although Matterport’s “… virtual tours are the gold standard when advertising properties online … The price of the equipment and storage is expensive.”

        Read additional reviews online at g2.com.

        RoomSketcher

        Around 2007, you may have known about RoomSketcher’s software as “Home Designer.” While “The tool is still the same … our new name emphasizes our focus on creating both the best floor plan tool, as well as the best home design tool, on the market,” according to the company’s website (roomsketcher.com).

        With RoomSketcher you have options:

        • Draw the floor plans yourself using the app
        • Order them from RoomSketcher’s Floor Plan Services
        • Hire a freelancer to draw them for you

        With a drag and drop interface, it couldn’t be simpler.

        Finally, choose between 2D and 3D.

        Prices start at $49.99 a year for the VIP package or step up to the Pro plan for $99.99 a year. If you’ll be creating more than 100-floor plans a year, go for the Hi-Volume plan. You’ll need to contact the company for the price of this one.

        RoomSketcher garners excellent reviews at g2.com.


        PLUS: When you have time…below are some free tools to help support your success.


        1. The Free 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 Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

        2. The BusinessBase, SOI building system

        The most effective thing you can do to build a real estate business is to become more visible, more likable, and remembered more often. The BusinessBASE™ not only checks all of these boxes, but it is a business building machine. In two easy steps, you can begin to build a robust sphere of influence that will provide you a lifetime of repeat business and referrals. – Click Here

        3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

        The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

        4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

        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

        5. The Take a Listing Today Podcast

        The Take a Listing Today Podcast

        Watch the ProspectsPLUS!, Take a Listing Today Podcast for actionable content to help you get more listings. – Click Here


        Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you in your success.

        We’re here to support you.

        Your ProspectsPLUS! Team


          No matter how many homes your client has sold, the whole process of selling may still tie them up in knots.

          Why? Ninety-five percent of the time the homeowner doesn’t know you from Adam, yet here they are, putting what might be their biggest investment in your hands.

          You breeze in, hand them a pen and a contract and walk out mumbling something about the MLS and a sign and lockbox.

          Home sellers probably won’t express their fears to you (you are a stranger, after all), but they’ll stay awake at night, scary thoughts running through their heads.

          If they were to confess their fears to you, what do you suppose they would tell you and how can you help them overcome their anxiety? Here are three things that weigh on their minds.

          1. How does this work?

          If you purchased your home before you joined the real estate industry, you’ll no doubt recall how weird the whole process felt. Your agent threw words around that you may have never heard before and she seemed to expect you to know what they meant.

          Escrow, earnest money deposit, contingency and comps – these are words that aren’t in the non-real estate person’s lexicon. How exactly does the MLS work, anyway? Why does the buyer have to pay an earnest money deposit and a down payment?

          While not completely understanding the listing and sales process may not keep your client awake at night, there’s always that nagging fear of what may be coming next.

          The fear of the unknown is common and so easy to remedy when it comes to your listing clients.


          SOI, Get More Listings Scheduled Campaign, Learn More, HERE

          Walk them through it. Write up a Home Selling 101 course, in basic English, and include it in your listing package. Step-by-step, teach them how it’s done so they don’t have to guess at – or fear — what’s next.

          2. I’m Nervous

          Buyers don’t have a corner on the anxiety market. Sellers are anxious that the home won’t sell, that they won’t get the price they need or that they may end up with two house payments or, worse yet, end up homeless.

          Even though the housing market has pretty much recovered from the pandemic, homeowners also still harbor a lingering sense of dread over how much equity they may have lost, regardless of how much they’ve regained.

          The great-big fear that you’ll purposefully underprice the home to get a quick sale is usually not mentioned by the homeowner. It exists, nevertheless.

          Again, knowledge is power. Take the mystery out of the whole issue of market value by giving them a basic tutorial on how it is determined, both by you and by the lender’s appraiser.

          There are also ways around the “should I sell before I buy” conundrum, so that one is easy to deal with.

          If it’s equity they’re worried about you can help them find out exactly what they owe on the home.  You are the problem solver, and they should know that. It might just put them at ease enough to share other concerns with you.

          3. I’m Scared of Someone Stealing from me

          Believe it or not, this is a huge fear for homeowners. Will people rifle through their drawers? Will they steal from them? It’s an understandable worry – there are strangers wandering through their home.

          You know how to deal with this, but for the new agent, let’s walk through it. All items of value, especially small, pocket-size pieces should be either locked away or removed from the home while it’s on the market. This includes prescription medications and, especially, weapons.

          Don’t throw this suggestion out half-heartedly. Let your client know that thefts do happen and the only way to protect their belongings is to remove the temptation for those less-than-honest folks who may be going through their house.

          Honorable Mention

          If you work with seniors, even occasionally, take the previously mentioned angst, multiply the fear factor by three and throw in the following:

          • More than one-third of seniors who are moving are afraid of change. They are anxious about leaving the familiar for a strange place.
          • Many are sad about leaving their neighbors.
          • Many have an intense emotional attachment to the home.

          Understanding that your listing client may harbor these concerns allows you to face them head-on, before he or she gets seller’s remorse.

          While nobody expects you to be part psychologist in a real estate transaction, it’s important to understand that your listing client’s curious behavior may stem from confusion about the process.

          You, as his or her agent, are the only person in a position to ease the anxiety and all it takes to do so is slowing down long enough to provide clear, basic guidance and advice.

          If you knew that your client is a nervous wreck, what would you do or say to help? It’s important to dig deep to find out, first, if they’re anxious, and, second, why. Then you can help solve the problem.

          Keep in touch with potential home sellers by launching an SOI Campaign.

          SOI Campaigns are currently on sale 10% OFF the first month? But ONLY for 3 MORE DAYS! (sale ends 5/8/21).

          SOI, Content Series Scheduled Campaigns (shown above). Learn more, HERE

          TO LAUNCH A SOI CAMPAIGN:

          Hit “CLICK HERE”, below, to get started on your SOI Scheduled Campaign (from a desktop or laptop computer).

          And, remember, YOU DON’T PAY for each mailing until it actually goes out (cancel or change each mailing up until the night before it goes out. The price shown at check out is per mailing, not campaign total).

          Launch an SOI Scheduled Campaign now, CLICK HERE!

          Please reach out to our support team at 866.405.3638 with questions or if there is anything we can do to help you with your success.


          PLUS: When you have time…here are some helpful resources we’ve made available to support your success.

          1. The Free 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

          2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

          The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

          3. Become a Neighborhood Brand

          Become branded in a specific neighborhood with a 12X15 marketing piece sent automatically each month to an exclusive carrier route. Watch this video to learn more or Click Here.

          4. The Free Real Estate Mailing List Guide

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Real-Estate-Mailing-List-Guide2-3-D-999x1024.jpg

          The Real Estate Mailing List Guide outlines the top tools for generating targeted prospecting lists including Baby Boomers, Empty Nesters, Investors, Lifestyle Interests, High-Income Renters, Move-Up Markets, and more. The Guide also defines done-for-you marketing campaigns to match these markets. –Click Here

          5. 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

          6. The Free Online ROI Calculator

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ROI-calculator-b-233x300.jpg

          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

          7. The Free Real Estate Marketing Guide “CRUSH IT” 

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CRUSH-IT-Guide-3-d-298x300.jpg

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