(How to Find Real Estate Leads Via…) Virtual Tours: When Image Really Matters
By admin | November 4, 2007
It is a well-know and well-accepted fact that the Internet is currently considered as one of the best pragmatic tools that technology has ever created. It provides a lot of possible information that can be quickly accessed without having to resort to manual process and without having to exert physical prowess.
That is why most of the activities on the Internet are described as virtual, meaning the activities are executed without having to carry out the actual activity. It is when things classified as virtual fall under the category of things existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact or form.
For this reason, certain businesses have realized the potential of the Internet in giving their clients the much-needed presentation without having to physically and actually render the actions. This goes to show that people who are in different places can still get access to some relevant information about the matter without having to be physically present in order to evaluate the item in scrutiny.
This concept was greatly accepted by the real estate industry. Most realtors had seen the probability of gaining sales without having to propose the properties to their clients in actual time and space. This is possible through the use of virtual tours.
Virtual tours refer to the access of the potential homebuyers in getting a good look at the insides of the house that they plan to buy through the use of the Internet. This is possible by using a web-based software that enables the potential homebuyers to “tour” in and around the house. This enables them to assess whether or not the house is worthy enough to buy.
With the convenience that the Internet gives, most people are comfortable with online shopping. They contend that it is easier and more comfortable to access information of the things they want to buy through the Net. That is why most home buyers request virtual tours online.
For this reason, most experts contend that for every realtor who has a web site and wishes to generate real estate leads with the help of the Internet, then, it is best to use virtual tours. These tools will enable the realtors to get access to people who are willing to buy a house because they are interested in how it looks inside and out.
Virtual tours are great lead generators because they attract potential homebuyers to your web site. Keep in mind that most people who get access to the Internet are usually those who are hungry for information.
Hence, it is best to provide them the things that they need. In return, once you have provided people with the necessary things that they want, you can easily lure them to buy these things, such as properties, from you. And one way to attract and compel them to buy is to give them a reason to do so.
Such that, when they see your house is appropriate to what they have called for, then, they will definitely buy the house from you.
In fact, statistical reports show that almost 56% of the people who have plans in buying a house usually use the Internet to search for probable houses. Among these people who use the Internet as their primary source of housing information, 70% of them contend that using virtual tours had been the most effective tool in searching a house. This is because virtual tours let them save time and enables them to have fewer expenses because they have fewer trips to the actual site.
Hence, virtual tours are considered to be one of the most important marketing tool for a realtor. It’s an effective means in generating good real estate leads, which, can be converted into actual homebuyers.
However, when you want to use virtual tours in finding real estates leads, it is best if you will consider some factors first that can make or unmake the probability of your business to generate more leads.
Here is a list of some tips that you need to know:
1. Be wary on the images that you will use
The most important part for a virtual tour to be an effective tool in marketing is that you should use crisp and detailed areas of the house that you are trying to sell.
Keep in mind that the pictures of the house are one of the most important information that a customer wants in order to decide whether they will buy the house or not.
The problem comes when your pictures are not clear enough. In this case, the customer will have the tendency to look and find other virtual tour sites that provide clearer and crisper pictures.
2. Be particular with details
The key to an effective virtual tour is to have comprehensive description of the details of the house. This means that you have to specify everything even up to the tiniest and most obvious details.
The key here is to never assume that a particular area is already obvious that’s why you thought it is okay not to include that on your descriptive article.
Keep in mind that the tiniest detail that you might take for granted to include could definitely make or unmake your property.
Indeed, virtual tours can absolutely generate real estate leads. Just remember to use appropriate shots and pictures in order to attract more customers and generate more leads.
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What Signage Can Do for Your Real Estate
By admin | November 3, 2007
If you want to get leads for your real estate business, I’m sure you’ve heard about various methods you can go about generating them. However, perhaps one of the most effective ones you can actually utilize is something that’s pretty much old school: signage. That’s right—effective signage will help achieve much of the benefits you will get out of more expensive methods.
What differentiates regular signage from the sort of signage that’s going to give you potential customers? That’s going to have to be efficacy. How effective your signage is in conveying your real estate image can mean the difference of a huge marginal increase in your sales and leads.
First, let’s talk about the visual mileage you can get out of a real estate sign. Why is this important? Obviously, if your sign isn’t half as visible as the other side-of-the-road views that your potential customer will see as he or she drives by, your leads are less likely to see your sign, much less remember what it says and what’s being offered.
Therefore, your sign has to be eye-catching. How do you do just that? You can make your sign stand out from the background while still remaining true to your company’s general company identity. To do this, manipulate color, style, and layout of your sign.
This also means that while you want it to be aesthetically appealing, you have to put a premium on how readable the text is. The readability of the signage’s text does not rely solely on the size and style of the text, but also the color combinations at work. The color of text against the color of the background must have enough contrast to make the text stand out from the background, without the colors becoming too overwhelming. Put a premium on utilizing your logos and schemes over other combinations.
Moreover, the text of your sign must be more or less simple. This can help make sure that your sign will be readable and visible from afar. This is important especially if you are targeting potential customers who are simply driving by.
Along with visibility of the text and content should be the visibility of your company logo. How else will your potential customers know who is in-charge of selling that property? Visibility of your company logo builds your reputation in two ways—either it makes new customers interested in checking out the property because of a reputation behind your name, or that your company will gain added reputation from the sheer multitude and respectability implied by your various signage in your properties. Make sure that you include important contact details sufficient enough to at least direct your potential customers to your company.
Where your sign is parked or positioned is also very important. The positioning of your sign will help enhance the visual appeal it has, and even the number of people who will be able to see your sign.
As much as possible, you want your sign to be positioned in such a way that will make it relatively easy for your potential customer to step out of his or her car or pause from his or her leisurely walk, and check out the ad and the property you are offering. Should your sign be very awfully located, either the surroundings will detract the attention of the customer, or it will discourage them from trying to find out more about the property you’re selling.
As much as possible, try giving various properties the same sort of signage layout and appeal. Why is this? Your signage efforts will only translate to real leads if your sign solicits recall. With consistent designs, colors, and layouts, you’re sure that your customers will actually remember you.
This recall and remembrance will help them refer you to a friend or acquaintance who may be interested in getting a piece of real estate, or will make them remember you the moment they’d want to purchase a piece of real estate themselves. Take not that the efficacy of signage for any other business establishment has been proven to be effective more of the word of mouth of the people for whom the signage has had an impact on, than anything.
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Mining Your Seminars for Real Estate Leads
By admin | November 3, 2007
The advantage of attending seminars goes beyond simply learning new things. As a businessperson, you probably have participated in your fair share of seminars and if you’ve been around long enough, you probably already know that these events are opportunities to establish new connections and strengthen existing ones.
What many may not realize is that events like seminars and conventions offer rich marketing potentials for your real estate business – potentials that are unfortunately often left untapped until the next time another seminar comes up.
What follows are some helpful tips in increasing the advantages you get from attending events like seminars by making a conscious effort to build a network, not just of mere acquaintances, but also of potential leads.
1. Cards – ask and you shall receive.
Think about it, when making a new acquaintance at a function, doesn’t it make you feel good that a person asks for your business card? It shows that this person thinks of you highly enough to want to keep in touch with you.
Thrusting your card out to every person you meet may not have the same effect. In fact, giving your card out without being asked for it shows presumption and pushiness on your part – something you don’t want people to be thinking about you as a real estate agent.
2. Talk less, listen more.
This is perhaps one of the most overlooked, yet essential skills in building connections that translates to leads. You may be so caught up in your own excitement about what you can do for people that you can end up monopolizing a conversation.
In a convention with a huge attendance, sometimes, a few minutes are all you get. Use that precious time to get more information from your fellow attendees but also taking care not to look like you’re conducting a thorough investigation.
Keep the mood light, but appropriately steer the topic towards conversation that probes for your contacts’ real estate needs – needs that you can perhaps address once the conference is over.
3. Remember to take down notes right away.
It’s all well and good if you can remember every single conversation you’ve had throughout the entire duration of the event. Unfortunately, for most, these can be easily forgotten or worse, interchanged for another.
The advantage of taking down notes right after a conversation is that important information regarding this new contact and his/her real property concerns are kept fresh. Jotting down a few lines at the back of their business card makes for an excellent reference system. When you call or write, it will impress them to see that you remember the conversation you had - showing you thought of them highly enough to remember what they said. This alone earns a lot of points in your favor.
4. Create categories
All this wealth of potential leads can become potential headaches as well if left unorganized. Remember that the acquaintances you make may not all be direct leads. Some may be good buyer/seller leads, while others may not be as such but can rather be rich referral sources.
Similar to taking down notes, categorize these contacts right away and save yourself the trouble to needing to recall what group they fall in several days after the seminar.
5. Follow up conscientiously.
With each day that passes, opportunities come and go so it is wise for you to cultivate these newly forged relations as soon as you can. Don’t wait a week after the seminar ends to begin following up your contacts.
With your well-annotated, organized collection of business cards, start with at least writing a friendly email to retouch the contact. Invite them to respond and to keep in touch.
Ask them if they’d be interested in joining your mailing list where you provide things like free and useful information on real estate concerns. Your willingness to share your skills will make you come to mind more when something about real estate comes up.
These are just some of the ways you can get the most out of the seminars you attend by mining it not only for head knowledge, but also for useful and potential leads.
Remember to be more than just being an attendee. Participate actively by interacting with your fellow attendees and conduct yourself exceptionally at all times. You may never know who’d be looking.
In the kind of business real estate agents are, your character has a lot of bearing on whether people will do business with you or not. These may seem like small measures but the results can return a whole lot more if you take the time to do them.
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Client Care Yields Real Estate Leads
By admin | October 26, 2007
Starting a real estate sales practice could be quite a risky business. Commonly, one would go days without closing a sale, receiving a phone call, and all the time the expenses and bills keep coming. However, success at real estate generally results out of maintaining fundamentals, such as: knowing all the information about your area or property, getting sales leads, and developing referrals.
One of the key aspects of real estate sales is the sales referral. Most prospective property buyers looking for a new home, office or any real estate, usually approach family, friends, and colleagues to ask for recommendations for a good broker. Also, most property owners or homeowners selling their real estate will go to the same network to ask for brokers who can help them sell a property. Unlike blockbuster lawyers or specialist doctors, there is no ready information available that calls out the skill and experience of a particular broker. So traditionally, referrals are done person-to-person and by word of mouth.
At first glance, it would seem like an unreliable way to build a business. But, if a broker knows his business and his properties well, all it would take is a few successful real estate sales to “referred” customers, and his sales would start to pick up momentum. Referrals to brokers are more significant because they could give direct contact to someone seriously considering buying a property. This gives a real estate practitioner access to his main target market, whereas regular advertisements through the media would have a very wide audience, but not the actual people wanting to buy homes or properties. In terms of marketing, a referral is like a slam-dunk promotional lead.
It is good that real estate referrals are such a “direct-to-market” lead. Because there is another aspect to the business: Property acquisitions are almost always the one most expensive purchase that a family would make. So, although referrals give you persons interested in buying a home or property, buying decisions are not always quick or a sure thing. The sheer cost, location, design, need for repairs or renovations, ease of mobility or transport, and a multitude of other decisions are considered before a buyer commits to a house.
But then, after all this consideration, when a broker manages to deliver a satisfactory sale to a buyer, then the broker will be awarded with a wider and perhaps more enthusiastic referral to other potential homebuyers. This would widen your referral network, and expand your file of potential contacts for referrals.
The high price of your product also means that even if only a fraction of your referrals translate to actual sales, the income and commission from these sales are already considerable. Maturing in the business will teach a broker the ways of cultivating and screening referrals to further improve sales and growth.
Therefore, we should understand what most successful realtors and brokers know — that Real Estate is a business of relationship. Regardless of the current external or economic conditions, the most adaptable method of generating ready revenue is through building a real estate business by developing relationships to cultivate referrals.
Several strategies or techniques can be used to build a strong referral-based sales business. But when you look closely, all these require that you stay in touch with your network regularly, preferably once a month.
It would be most helpful to plan out different methods of maintaining contact with your network on a monthly basis. The different ways of keeping in touch are: personal visits, telephone calls, handwritten notes or short letters, periodic newsletters, news and updates through email, client thank-you cocktails or parties, sending postcards, sending birthday/special greeting cards, organizing house-warming events, promos or contests.
The best practice is to try combinations of these contacting techniques, tailor-fit to your personality and the background of the particular contact.
As well as staying in touch, you need to be mindful of the following aspects of your referral business:
-Organizing contact files by priority
-Creating and maintaining a network management system
-Studying the best way of asking for referrals
-Not using standard all-purpose solutions
-Setting your goals and planning a budget
-Memorize figures and numbers
-Organize your time
-Hire an assistant
-Engage a business coach
The real estate business is also a customer care business: take care of all your referrals and grow your real estate business by getting more real estate leads.
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“Real Estate: Follow up on Leads via Radio Transmitter”
By admin | October 24, 2007
Selling real estate is quite difficult to master. It is one of the most
competitive and uncertain fields in business where there are no specific
guarantees.
It takes a certain amount of ability, grit and determination for the men and
women of this field to flourish. Still, real estate has produced many of
the country’s popular millionaires, like Donald Trump from the hit TV series
“The Apprentice”. This is the reason why there are still a lot out there
who are struggling to survive in this field.
Here are some qualities that a real estate agent must possess:
1. Knowledge of the market.
Real estate agents and developers, like any other people in business, should
have a mastery of the industry.
You should know everything that there is to know about your chosen
profession. There are no guarantees of a monthly paycheck in selling real
estate so you have to know how to hit a jackpot.
Knowing the in’s and out’s of the business would more or less prepare you
for the hard work ahead.
2. A sincere interest in people.
Here, you do not just deal with lands or properties. You should have an
ample amount of people skills for you to have a better grasp of your
customer’s needs and put everything to their satisfaction.
You should also care enough for the people that you service so that you can
give them exactly what they want, and their appreciation should be a great
reward for you, not to mention the financial gains that you can obtain for
yourself.
3. A willingness to work hard.
Only the toughest survive in the field of real estate. Working as hard as
you can in this field, just like in any other business, is the key to
success.
‘Using a Radio Transmitter to Follow up on Leads’
As a real estate agent, who would not want to gain more hot leads, more
listings, more customers and bigger commissions? You would be amiss not to
want these things.
One of the tools that you can use as a real estate agent to climb to the top
is by using a radio transmitter.
Here is a list of how you can use it to your advantage:
You can broadcast a personalized, real time, recorded message. Radio
transmitters would help you reach a wider spectrum of clients by
broadcasting your messages to prospects.
There are new transmitters available in the market that let you broadcast
“live”, or continue with a recorded message using a digital chip.
This is perfect for ‘Open Houses’. Once you see a potential client or a
prospective buyer listening in to your recorded message, you can cut in and
personally address the customer.
This way, you and your prospect would have an immediate connection and it
just might lead you to a sale.
You can also use the radio transmitter as a public address system for
special community events.
There are even radio transmitter models which let you “imitate” celebrity
voices to grab the listener’s attention. These models are surprisingly
inexpensive so it would not be a waste to purchase them.
You can use two transmitters at the same time. Just set them to two
different frequencies at the same listing so that you can kill two birds
with one stone.
Real estate agents earn money by getting listings. You can use your radio
transmitter to book appointments with home sellers.
Think up marketing strategies that will appeal both to home sellers and home
buyers to increase your listings. Develop special offers and freebies for
home owners and leave your contact information so that you can convince
people to get ahold of you regarding the selling or listing of their home.
Remember that word of mouth is a great advertisement for you so make sure
that the entire population in your area knows about your business and you
just might strike up some more.
You may also sell your recorded advertisements to paying advertisers who
can broadcast your message into their own private “network”.
More importantly, you can set up the radio transmitters in your own home.
Record a message that features the offers that you have.
You might be surprised when a seemingly unknown neighbor suddenly shows up
on your doorstep, wanting to talk about the listing of their home or someone
else’s home that they know about.
Remember that the more you use these radio transmitters, the more sales,
listings, leads and prospective clients you will get.
Topics: Real Estate | No Comments »
Press Release Leads to Business
By admin | October 24, 2007
A successful real estate press release must be able to reflect a particular real estate company’s or real estate agent’s approach to real estate as well as reflect whether the company or agent is flashy, is concerned primarily with business or is downright friendly.
A press release does not in any way work like magic. It is actually a serious campaign which is created in order to bring a desired and specific outcome. In the real estate world, that is leads, and more importantly sales. Actual purchase of a house and property is the best method to gauge how successful or not successful a particular or a series of press releases is.
Real estate companies put out a press release in varying forms and in varying occasions. Press releases should paint a good image of the company. Such is the case of the company Cendant wherein their October 2005 press release touted that the system they are using was able to gather valid leads of up to two hundred thousand which they were able to amply distribute to their real estate agents.
They also explained the process of how they came up with such numbers and how competitive is the system they are using, thus making them able to keep up with the market.
Taking advantage of the magic of press release takes a lot of science. It is important to consider that when one is utilizing a Press Release Program, there really is no guarantee of anything miraculous happening. What a press release does is inform the public of what you as a real estate company or a real estate agent is doing and the various ways, means and forms that you are able to achieve your company’s objectives.
Usually, press releases are means to get a message across as to any internal updates that a real estate company is undergoing or a real estate program, software, or offer that could benefit both the company or individual generating the press release as well as the reader or audience who will be reading it.
For example, a recent press release by a particular real estate company in Michigan has presented the new, advanced and highly efficient lockbox system currently being used by their real estate associates. The benefits their associates got from using the system was thoroughly explained as well as the benefits that their clients would have when they avail of their service. This was clearly outlined. What was clearly described as well was how efficient their system was in ensuring that only quality service is delivered.
A press release therefore should generate valid and relevant leads. Though the fact of the matter is that, simply getting your name and business out there does not automatically convert to business, it is therefore important that a press release offer both prospective buyers and sellers something free. An offer that your potential clients will probably not get anywhere else. Putting this out will more likely increase your chance of being contacted, than offering something that people could get someplace else just as easily.
The best and greatest thing to offer and the chances of which this offer will be accepted are usually any written materials such as brochures, pamphlets, etc. Utilizing such materials is also an efficient way of putting your company and your skills out there. Use this avenue wisely, but do not abuse it either.
This should be detailed in the press release, but it is essential that you also take stock on the freebies you give out and the record of success which freebie generated more and which generated less response.
It is also important that the reason of why you are putting up free items or offers be thoroughly explained or at least be understandable to your prospective clients. Honesty and integrity is the best impression you could leave anyone. It beats any and all forms of press release. Make it clear and be sincere as well that the freebies you are handing out are not intended to immediately close a deal. It is so that you could acquire as much valid and relevant leads as you can which will be able to contact you at the soonest possible time
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Hand ‘Em Out: Real Estate Flyers
By admin | October 23, 2007
Every regular consumer has had an experience of walking around a commercial establishment. Afterwards they find themselves furnished with a flyer or brochure of some product or service. More recently, real estate flyers have gone from a rare few to becoming the huge majority of flyers being handed out in these commercial establishments. It may be safe for you to deduce, as a real estate agent, that this trend is a result of an inherent efficacy of the system.
And this isn’t too far the target either. Indeed, real estate promotional materials serve a huge purpose on-site, in home shows, and even in commercial establishments frequented by potential buyers. At the end of the day, these flyers have become handy and powerful marketing tools for real estate agents like you. Just how and why will be further clarified in this article.
Let’s first take a look at promotional flyers being distributed to the general public in places frequented by huge volumes of people. Typically you hand out your flyers to reputable looking people who are most likely to have the means and capacity to purchase a piece of real estate. While it may seem to the untrained eye that at that very level you are already discriminating against others who may potentially buy real estate but weren’t given flyers, never remove the inherent characteristic of these promotional handouts: they are both compact and easily transferable.
What does this mean? While your regular promenade-walker or mall afficionado may not be interested in buying real estate enough to visit an agent and browse through catalogues, a real estate promotional flyer allows him or her to bring this brochure home and ponder over it for a time. A brochure featuring the best assets of the home being advertised, as well as sufficient information as to where to contact an agent may in fact be enough to convince a non-buyer to consider buying a piece of real estate. The power of suggestion here is strong, and because of the fact that this is a piece of marketing platform that the consumer can bring home, they are given more time to take into consideration the choice they can make.
Moreover, these promotional handouts are easily transferable between persons. One impressed recipient of the handout who is not interested in buying real estate may likely give the promotional handout to a friend who is. The best thing here is this: you are using the power of word and mouth with the reliability of an information sheet that allows the person referring you to give the new lead complete information about how to get in touch with you. This translates to more solid leads.
On location, a promotional handout also allows for your prospective buyers to browse over the features of the house and its excellent qualities while they tour the facility. This means that they are given more time to take into consideration these winning qualities of the real estate even long after you’ve long mentioned them. Moreover, they can bring home the said handout and, with the help of pictures that truly communicate the property’s value, remind and reinforce the good impressions they may have gotten when they visited the property.
In home shows, promotional materials allow for your prospective clients to compare your offers to that of the next real estate agents. In these home shows, these clients are willing to make on-the-spot decisions about whom to leave their calling cards with, and a well created brochure just might win them over. After all, if your brochure contains a very convincing description of the property you are selling, and contains pictures that truly showcase the finer qualities of the property, you are definitely going to find those leads you want.
It is important to remember that the efficacy of these promotional handouts lie in how well you put the property into paper,or how well you market the property. This means that layout, pictures, and other inherent characteristics of the property should be showcased prominently in these handouts. Given that these are already very effective in suggesting the acquisition of real estate, the best of all is that creating these brochures is relatively cheap in comparison to other methods of advertisement. Moreover, you can include in these brochures sufficient information about sales agent to whom these prospective clients can get in touch with.
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Newspaper ads reads Poor Leads
By admin | October 22, 2007
Newspaper ads are convenient sources of real estate leads. The top reason why real estate agents put out advertisements by the hundreds and thousands of dollars in newspaper ads is this: they need to acquire listings. The simple fact of the matter is, most home sellers look at these newspaper ads. Via this route, they then ponder and get to decide who or which is the real estate agent and company that does a great job of marketing homes.
Newspaper real estate ads create\ an impression to home sellers that these real estate companies will just as similarly do a great job in selling their houses. Usually, it is the bigger companies in real estate that also puts up the big newspaper ads.
These large real estate companies also have a similarly big inventory of houses which they put out in wide two-page ads in newspapers. Chances are, the house that you are selling will be included in this large spread.
Home sellers require that the houses they are putting up for purchase will have the most exposure and the ads in newspapers put up by such companies seem to fill this real estate need.
However, the risk in these types of ads are that the real estate company may have an additional of three hundred or four hundred more of these houses in their roster. It all depends on luck and timing as to the number of times the house you are putting up for purchase will be seen.
Another reason for putting up real estate ads in newspapers is this: it is done in order to gain leads. There are numerous buyers who look at these newspaper ads. And the number of readers and eyes that look on these ads are unlimited. Or so it seems, because according to a survey profile of Home Buyers as well as Home Sellers, only a measly five percent of people who look for homes in newspaper ads actually make a purchase.
In effect, a total of ninety-five percent up to ninety-eight percent of newspaper readers do actually just that, they read and neglect or simply do not purchase real estate despite the number of ads put out by real estate companies.
This is a stark difference to the whooping fifty-three percent of buyers who actually start their search on newspapers and magazines.
But the most important reason why newspaper ads are so much used for snagging those real estate leads is because agents use this avenue as an effective means for self-promotion.
The idea is that, the more their names are exposed and the more it gets to be familiar to readers, it is therefore highly likely that home sellers will come and get them when they are thinking of putting up their homes for selling. This is a very subtle yet effective form of branding.
Fortunately or unfortunately, though real estate agents know the value or the invaluable contribution that newspaper ads provide, they hardly inform home sellers of this fact. It has also been proven that the real estate section of newspapers is its’ least read part.
Some home magazines go to the extent of touting that advertising in them would, more often than not, generate sales. Though it seems they offer the best value compared to the rates of ads in newspapers, the survey shows that readers actually do little buying inspite of the highly glossy pictures the home magazines provide. This even if in addition to the millions of people they call their readers, and the coast to coast reach of their magazine, the numbers show that their readers just read, and a very small percentage of them actually buy. But it is also a fact that the two percent who actually buy may leave a bit of room for hope for the home seller, so what the heck.
In short, home sellers have been conditioned that advertising real estate in newspapers works, this even if real estate agents have surveys that prove otherwise. This is because the benefits real estate agents get are just as money-worthy, and these are in the form of leads. And in the world of real estate, leads are investments that could be worth a lot; if not now, it will be in the coming weeks, months or years ahead.
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7 Reasons Why Newsletters Get Good Real Estate Leads
By admin | October 22, 2007
Newsletters are publications issued by a specific real estate firm or real estate association geared towards a specific readership population, of a certain State, buyer preference or for the general real estate consumer. Such publications contain various information about the industry and its related fields, as well as about new products and services that the specific firm or association is promoting. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use the real estate newsletter to find good real estate leads.
1. Free Information
Newsletters are free. For that reason alone, active real estate buyers and investors should be on the mailing list of major real estate firms and associations. Most newsletters will definitely have sections on “free tips” in the intent of firms to show that they have a genuine concern to help consumers and in a way, demonstrate their company’s expertise in the field. Such free articles are also a way to attract readers, and get them hooked to read on to the sales pitches, which is the primary intent of issuing the newsletter. Nevertheless, anything that is free and informative at the same time should always be the searcher’s first stop.
2. Credibility
In general, newsletters have more credibility than the usual ads. The real estate firms that publish newsletters use it as a venue to establish their company’s leadership and authority in the profession. Thus, they most likely will publish reliable, well-researched and relevant market information, geared towards the benefit of the consumer, in order to maintain their credibility. Get historical real estate market trends, sound predictions and reliable leads through information in the newsletters.
3. In-depth Information
Real estate newsletter articles provide more in-depth information than real estate ads. The intent of real estate newsletters is to have a venue to better educate consumers about real estate details that are not covered in advertisements like construction quality assessment, safety, after move-in support, etc. Having such information will allow you to look into more details about the property that you intend to buy.
4. Financial Information
Aside from real estate leads, newsletters also provide other information that are related to the industry. Financial information such as mortgage rates, mortgage calculators and bank or lending institutions contact information are among the additional information that you can get from a newsletter. Occasionally, real estate newsletters will publish full-length articles on financial information such as “How To Compute Amortization” or “The Benefits of Refinancing.” Watch out for those articles and make sure to clip them for future use, unless you are into the habit of compiling the newsletter itself.
5. Locations
Aside from financial information, real estate newsletters also feature full-length articles and facts on hottest real estate locations as well as uncharted lands that have yet to join the boom. Depending on the profile of the property you intend to buy, such information will be beneficial for your search.
6. Seminars and Viewings
Information on real estate seminars and property viewings are also in newsletters. As a buyer, this is your opportunity to have first-hand experience on the property or the real estate firm without any financial commitment from your end. Most seminars and viewings are free, transportation and meals included and at times, discounts are handed out for the select who signed up. Now that’s one opportunity you should not pass up!
7. Testimonials
Testimonials are an essential part of real estate newsletters. Use such actual consumer experience to understand the capabilities and extent of service of the real estate firm. If, based on the published first-hand experience by actual customers, their profile or the rundown of their properties fit the portfolio of service you are looking for, then the company should be able to support you and give you good leads.
Modern day newsletters are already issued electronically; the e-newsletter, sent via e-mail or downloaded from the publication’s website, but offers the same useful real estate information without the hassle of piling paper. Whatever form you prefer, real estate newsletters are definitely promotional materials, but are of the informative kind. As a consumer, you should take advantage of all the available information, which can help you in the search for real estate leads.
Topics: Real Estate | No Comments »
Networking: Making Connections, Finding Leads
By admin | October 21, 2007
If someone could wave a magic wand and make the tedious task of finding leads a simple and easy task, you’d go for it, wouldn’t you? If you’re like most real estate agents, your answer would most likely be a resounding yes.
Why? Perhaps the high turnover of new agents and the rate they quit right after starting says a lot. Some experts note that 50% of new real estate agents give up within a year of starting, citing frustration despite all their efforts as one of the reasons for quitting. You may not necessarily want to quit. But the thought of wanting to make things easier as far as finding leads are concerned must have certainly crossed your mind.
You are also probably wondering how did those successful agents manage to be where they are and earn what they do in spite the difficulty of doing business in general nowadays. Maybe they’ve got great communication skills. They probably are one of those “born” salesmen that can sell anything. Or perhaps they’re just plain lucky.
Those may or may not be true, but one thing is for certain: Successful agents succeed because they’ve built and maintain an extensive network that ensures him/her that business will come in no matter what.
Seems easy? Yes and no. It is easy in that the act of networking is simply making a connection to a person who can lead you to several others. Also, you have to be the kind of person everyone wants to refer to his or her friends and acquaintances and THAT part takes work.
But once you establish that kind of network, you will find that the leads are reliable and are very likely to keep doing business with you. They may even throw more business your way. They will also be the most cost-effective leads because all it takes to generate a lead is only as much as you would spend on a personal phone call or well-written email/letter.
Getting started
That said, how do you start building a network that will work for you and give you leads you need? For one thing, it does NOT begin with printing out fancy business cards. It begins by working hard on building on a credible reputation for yourself and/or your agency. Be the kind of person that walks the talk. Think about it, would you rather work with a shady dealer or with someone who is genuine about everything he/she says and does?
People pick up not only the words you say but also more importantly, the way you say things. If they feel that you are simply after making profits out of their transaction, you’ve most likely lost the deal before you could negotiate it. Compare this with someone who shows a real concern for helping find the best deal possible and you’ll see why this kind of agent lasts longer than the hard-sell kind.
Listen more
Probing for usable information and leads is an art. An agent like you must be able to develop the skill in fishing out information from every conversation you take part in. Getting the information requires discipline on your part to listen more and talk less. That’s NOT to say you keep your words to a minimum, but rather, give your contact more opportunities to talk and listen to what they have to say.
If you need to speak, it is more to encourage the person to share rather than you interjecting a word to dominate the conversation.
Now, onto your business card…
Of course letting people know how they can reach you is an important part of doing business in real estate (or with any business for that matter). But it is more important for you to be asking for that information. After you build an initial rapport, politely ask for his/her contact information.
Don’t even think of handing out your card when it’s not asked for. At least, ask permission if you could give them your card just in case they need to inquire about anything regarding real estate. Thrusting out your card to a person who’s not asking for it is pretty much like saying, “Call me.” In dating, we find that pretty presumptuous. The idea doesn’t change when it comes to business.
Now that you’ve built a genuine and likeable persona and now that you have the information you need and the contacts to pursue the information with, you need to work on mining this information for leads.
Follow up with friendly correspondences. It helps to refer to your last conversation to open up your letters/calls. It is here where the benefits of listening come in. Your contact realizes you took the effort to remember what they said, and that speaks a lot about you.
Another plus in guiding the conversation towards something related to your business is that there is a logical take-off point for you to introduce your services and what you can do to help the person with their real estate concerns.
A genuine character and attitude, coupled with strategic probing and follow-up will get your network working for you and may give you leads that are as good as closed. It takes a lot of work, but the process is far more pleasurable than a cold call. You are connecting with someone who wants to connect back to you and may be willing to introduce you to their own network simply because they like you and the way you do business.
Topics: Real Estate | No Comments »