In the real estate industry, it’s easy to feel as though you’re being overlooked when compared to your colleagues and competitors. For the most part, success as an agent comes from a personal drive to create a name for yourself as one of the greats. If you have yet to tap into exactly how to grow your brand as an agent, there are plenty of things to keep in mind along the way. Consider the tips below as your guide to creating a name for yourself in the industry moving forward, especially during these crucial summer months for selling.
Educate Yourself
While you may not want to admit it, there are probably certain aspects of the real estate world that you still don’t feel confident explaining to clients. Are there some questions you hope certain clients won’t ask you because you’re afraid of stumbling through an answer? Could you be more up to date on how the current pandemic is affecting both buyers and sellers? Whatever it may be that makes you uncomfortable, take the time to educate yourself on it. Though no one can ever have all the answers, being savvy enough to answer most, if not all, of the questions that are thrown at you will allow you to create a name for yourself as a knowledgeable and helpful agent for all clientele.
Stay Current
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As the industry continues to fluctuate, you should be up to date. Set up google alerts for buzzwords you know you’ll want to keep track of, and calendar reminders to tune into the daily news each morning. Even though it may not feel as if staying current makes a difference, having this knowledge in your back pocket should the need for it arise will impress both clients and colleagues alike. Here are a few examples of what agents should keep their eye on for the month of August:
Hurricane Season: With the month of August marking the beginning of hurricane season, knowing how this might affect business is crucial. Apart from delaying closing times, a hurricane strike can also increase the overall prices of homes in that specific area for years to come by somewhere between 3 and 4%. If you are an agent in an area that is at high risk for hurricanes, be sure to keep up with weather reports and to explain to your clients the logistics of buying and selling in your location.
Summertime: The summer months signal the most popular time for buyers, and even though the current market leans in significant favor of those selling their homes, it’s still possible to close a deal. Stay up to date on how to best help buyers achieve their goals, and remain positive even when things might feel discouraging.
Expand Your License
Remote work is continuing to grow in popularity, meaning that many potential buyers will be able to move to the location of their dreams since they are no longer tied down to the office. If you don’t want to miss out on potential leads as they relocate to different states, consider getting licensed in the popular areas you’ve been noticing buyer interest in. Though this will likely be a lengthy process, it will also expand your client base and allow you to create a name for yourself across state borders. Beyond this, should you feel as though the leads in your area are running dry, it might be time for you to relocate on your own and start fresh in a completely new location. If you choose wisely, you might be able to make big waves in a new area depending on the local demand for agents and availability of homes on the market.
Have the Numbers
For most agents, having the numbers to back up their business is easier said than done, however, it is absolutely crucial if you want your name to stand out in the industry. If you know you already have numerous success stories from previous clients, make sure you’re advertising it. Whether you create a graphic with statistics of your success or you highlight specific clients on your blog, it should be advertised somewhere.
Do More
Going the extra mile makes all the difference to clients right now. Were you able to assist them over the weekend last minute? Do you answer their calls and emails promptly? A good agent should be doing everything they can to ensure their clients feel at ease and supported. Have reminders set for yourself to check in with specific buyers and sellers that you know will need extra reassurance.
Aside from being as available as possible, you should always be going the extra mile when it comes to the information you’re sharing with your clients. Be sure to answer any and all the questions they may have, and don’t turn them away should they ask about something outside of your realm of knowledge. For example, if your buyers are unsure of where to turn for insurance, have a guide set up for them with your advice on the best companies. Many new homeowners are unfamiliar with the logistics of important safeguards like homeowners insurance and home warranties, so it’s in your best interest to look up resources on these topics to share with them. Share information on the best home warranty companies they may want to consider, and direct them to past clients that have had good experiences with their current insurance providers to help new clients feel comfortable. Preparing resources for the extra things most clients don’t consider the first time around is the perfect way to stand out and better support them every step of the way. Purchasing a new home, especially for first timers comes with a significant amount of uncertainty and questions, and as an agent, you should have the answers. The better client experience you create, the more likely you are to boost your reputation.
Be Strategic
Though it goes without saying, you should always be thinking 10 steps ahead on behalf of your client. Are there extra perks your client is willing to throw in for a seller just to seal a deal? Whether this be negotiating a move out date or giving the sellers a rent-free few weeks to move out, there are plenty of strategic offerings you can come up with. Doing all you can to support your clients and to think outside of the box will ensure that your name stands out in the industry for years to come.
Work Smarter
Beyond being organized when it comes to your calendar and email, there are other tools you can utilize in your work to make things easier. The HomeValueLeads system allows you to work smarter and not harder by letting you easily streamline your communication with clients and better organize your list of leads. Having your own system developed is sure to make your job faster and easier in the long run, allowing you to focus on other things such as building your brand.
Embrace Leadership
Though the current times might not feel like the best opportunity to take on new responsibilities, making a name for yourself goes hand in hand with embracing leadership. Whether this be participating in a training for new agents in the field, or offering to hold a brief online seminar for seasoned colleagues, you should be putting yourself out there amongst your peers.
Create a HARO
Is there another agent in your area that always seems to be mentioned in the press? While it might feel as though this is due to their expertise, being quoted is actually easier than you may think. If you have yet to create an account with HARO (Help a Reporter Out), it’s in your best interest to do so as soon as possible. HARO allows you to easily submit your expert advice on the state of the industry and what clients should keep in mind as they sell or buy. The site is essentially a place where reporters go to seek information from experts in specific areas, allowing you to easily choose which categories you are qualified to speak on. Plenty of reporters are looking to quote agents at this time and usually have no problem linking to any personal websites or accounts you would like them to mention along with your advice. Not only is HARO a great way to gain traffic to your social media accounts it’s also the perfect opportunity for you to get your name out there on well respected online platforms.
Practice Self-Care
Putting in the work to create a name for yourself in the real estate industry is time consuming and draining, and if the proper measures are not taken to invest in self-care, you will burn out. Agents who truly succeed are able to find a balance. Self-care doesn’t necessarily mean carving out the time to get a massage every week, it just means allowing yourself to rest. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise. Keeping up with a significant number of clients and leads is hardwork, and if you don’t have the energy to do so, things will fall through the cracks. In the coming weeks, get out your calendar and look for parts of your week where you know you’ll be able to fit in some leisure time. Moving forward you should also make a commitment to yourself that you won’t sacrifice sleep for work. These changes may be difficult to make at first, but they will do wonders for your mental and physical health, allowing you to be the best you can be every day for your clients.
Value Your Time
A good agent understands the importance of time management above everything else. Wasted time usually results in lost leads, and in today’s climate, that’s not something most agents can afford. If you’ve found yourself working from home these past few months, you may have been noticing a loss of motivation and focus throughout the day. Make sure you’re taking the time to identify why you might be feeling this way as the less focused you feel, the less productive you’ll be. Have a designated work space and home office area so that you can feel some sort of separation from your personal life and your professional life.
Valuing your time also goes beyond simply having the right workspace to stay productive. The leading agents in the industry place high value on being proactive in their work. Whether this be keeping up with current news or being as responsive to potential leads as possible, the time you put into bettering yourself in the field is what will ultimately popularize your brand as an agent.