America loves a good come-from-behind story, especially when that story involves a lot of blood, sweat and tears along the way. We’re a country famous for falling down, dusting ourselves off, and getting back up again. Some of our most beloved national heroes and celebrities have failed and bounced back. Michael Jordan, for example, was cut from his high school basketball team. Championship boxers routinely get up from the mat—they never gave up, and neither should you.
Real estate can be a tough business, and you’re bound to lose a sale now and again. We’ve all been there; showing 50 homes to a client only to have them pick none of them. What matters more than the loss is how you put that past failure behind you and bring a winning attitude to your next client interaction.
Accept responsibility for the loss
In sports, the refs made a bad call or miss some of the action. The same goes for real estate. Sometimes it seems your clients missed an obvious opportunity on a property, or a fellow REALTOR® might misinterpret your communications. Still, it’s up to you to evaluate your own practices and ask tough questions about why a certain property hasn’t sold or about your own practices. After you evaluate, admit your mistakes. Instead of stewing, take each loss as a learning opportunity and move forward.
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The FedEx Guide for REALTORS® | Guest Post
FedEx offers a host of marketing and shipping solutions for REALTORS® looking to grow their business. As one of the many perks of NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program, REALTORS® can enroll in the FedEx Advantage® program and save on the services real estate agents use most, including printing, binding, indoor and outdoor signs, vehicle and promotional magnets, and of course, shipping across the country. Not to mention REALTORS® earn 25% more FedEx Rewards points than the average customer.
The FedEx Guide for REALTORS®
FedEx is proud to team up with NAR to help REALTORS® with their printing, copying, marketing and shipping needs. With more than 1,800 FedEx Office locations in the U.S., members enrolled in the program can stop by any physical location or print and copy online with FedEx Office® Print Online at any time. Here are some of the ways REALTORS® can take advantage of the FedEx program: Continue reading »
Real estate is a business based on trust, and built on handshakes. Working ethically is essential building a solid relationship with your clients and to growing your business in a way you can be proud of. Buyers and sellers alike need to be able to depend on you to act with their best interest in mind, as they make major, life-altering decisions surrounding the purchase and sale of their homes and businesses. The National Association of REALTORS® is committed to promoting real estate ethics in everything we do.
Whether you’re a new and aspiring REALTOR® or whether you’re brushing up on changes in the industry, we have multiple resources to help you join us in a commitment to real estate ethics. Continue reading »
Transforming a home into a Green Home can add value to a property, making it more desirable for environmentally-conscious buyers and reducing overall energy bills. By making a few updates and quick fixes, such as adding energy saving light bulbs, appliances, and high-efficiency water heaters, sellers can add both enticing new features and legitimate value to a home. Here’s a place to get started, and why they’re important selling points worth mentioning to potential buyers.
Simple Green Updates to Homes
Add a Green Home Energy Tracker – Keep track of energy output of individual appliances and electronics for between $20 and $50 or have a home-monitoring device installed for around $250, which will track overall electrical usage and provide real-time feedback on energy consumption and waste. A large variety of in-home energy trackers and monitors are currently available on the market, and new technology is syncing them with devices like smartphones and tablets. Continue reading »
If you want to stay on top of the real estate profession it’s important to consistently evaluate your actions and to remain nimble in the face of changing technology. REALTORS®, like any profession, can get stuck in a rut, or in a repeatable course of action that works but might not be the best for growing and moving forward. Sometimes even the best plans need a bit of tweaking. For those in need of a real estate makeover, we’ve collected some of our best posts for evaluating your career and expanding your professional skill set —
Take a Break and Look Inward
Allow yourself time to step away from work. Take a vacation and assess what, if anything, is keeping you from moving forward. Is it an issue of motivation or training? Does working with difficult clients have you down? If work itself has become overbearing or tedious, check out these three blog posts: Continue reading »
Sharing photos of your property listings is essential in real estate, and when it comes to photo sharing online, Instagram is perhaps the most talked about and exciting social media platform available. Instagram is a great way to connect with your real estate clients and to network with other REALTORS®, and with over 80 million users, Instagram has quickly become the platform of choice when it comes to simple edits like cropping and filtering.
If you have an iPhone or iPad you can download the Instagram application in the iTunes store, or for Android phone or tablet, download Instagram in Google Play. Once Instagram is installed, stand out from the crowd with this 5-step guide to Instagram photos for REALTORS®.
1. Start sharing photos
Snap photos of your listings, and experiment with different angles and lighting. Part of the value of Instagram is that it’s an on-the-spot photo service that even amateur photographers can use. It’s okay if your photos aren’t perfect, as long as you’ve taken the time to get your best shots. If you’re not confident in your photography skills, make up for it with clever captions and creative uses of filters. Continue reading »
Many first-time homebuyers (and sellers) can have a lot of questions about the real estate market, but might not also know what a REALTOR® does and how REALTORS® can assist in the buying and selling of homes. If you’re working with clients who are new to the real estate experience, or if you are a new REALTOR® yourself, here are 10 questions you can expect to answer frequently, and tips on how you might answer them.
1. What is a REALTOR®?
A REALTOR® is more than someone who works in real estate. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Make sure your clients know that as a NAR member you operate under a professional code of ethics that goes above and beyond what might be required of other real estate professionals. Let your client know about relevant certifications, and even offer a basic case study of a similar client you have successfully worked with in the past. Continue reading »
Congratulations. If you’re thinking of taking your real estate business to the next level or opening a brokerage, it likely means your years of hard work are paying off. If it’s time to grow your business there are many important considerations to make when it comes to ramping up manpower, adding certifications and developing business plans.
Are you considering starting a brokerage? Has an increase in sales made it necessary for you to hire an assistant? Do you have all your necessary certifications in order? If opening your own brokerage is the next logical step in your professional development, it’s important to consult with accountants and business professionals who can advise you on developing a plan to ensure that you’re on solid financial ground.
According to a 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Member Profile, 41% of REALTORS® are affiliated with an independent, non-franchised company. Among the decisions you’ll need to make is whether to buy a franchise or to go independent. REALTOR® Magazine’s 11 Tips for Starting Your Own Business offers great advice on everything from developing a business plan to recruiting other real estate professionals to join you. Continue reading »
Writing clear copy in real estate listings is more important than ever. Often the first contact a REALTOR® has with a potential homebuyer comes through a home listing. With the speed at which shoppers are able to jump from one listing to the next, especially online, it’s essential that your listings are written clearly and are engaging. And since the first contact you’ll likely have with a potential homebuyer will come through a real estate listing, the copy is your first chance to build a reputation and a relationship.
1. Write clear, catchy headlines
Describe the house factually, but add a sense of urgency so the property appears to be highly sought-after and desired. Nearly everyone will read your headline, while relatively few visitors will read the rest of the copy … unless you can capture their attention immediately, that is. A good rule of thumb is to spend half your time working on the headline. Continue reading »
Email marketing campaigns are a great way for REALTORS® to stay connected to real estate clients. Whether your clients are active in the real estate market or simply taking their time to make the right decision, email marketing will help promote both your listings and your personal brand, and can also be an effective tool for landing new clients. And while email marketing requires a bit of technological know-how, many of the basics are probably similar to other marketing initiatives you’re already working on. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Select an Email Service
MailChimp and Constant Contact are two great examples of services that provide customizable templates so your emails have a personal touch. Current and prospective clients will be more likely to read the material, since the message will come directly from you. If possible, make sure your service is optimized for smartphones; mobile, now more than ever, is where people consume their information. Continue reading »
