There’s no sugar-coating it, the field of real estate is extremely competitive, no matter the state of the market. This makes your job as a real estate agent extra challenging — but then again, you wouldn’t have made it your career if you didn’t love it.
With over 6 million homes sold in the month of February this year alone, the cost of listed homes has also increased by a whopping 13.5 percent in the past year. With these statistics, it’s not hard to see why this job comes with its challenges.
Want to learn how to get listings as a real estate agent and sell for the best price? Check out the rest of this blog.
1. Understand Your Local Market
What does your local buyer’s market look like in your area? Before you secure the best listings, you have to know what your potential clients are looking for. Even better, it’s a good idea to find a niche. This will give you a competitive edge over other local real estate agents in your area.
How does one achieve this? By mapping out your area, geographically, according to who your target market is. You’ll then need to narrow this down by defining the ideal price range of the homes you aim to sell.
Websites such as Zillow and Trulia are a huge help in understanding your local area and what’s available while getting to grips with your ideal price range.
2. Maximize All Forms of Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is your friend, there are no two ways about it. If you’re serious about establishing your career and finding the best clients, you’ll harness all forms of digital media and social media platforms.
Don’t forget about conventional or traditional forms of media, too. Some of the best means of marketing yourself include billboards, flyers, direct mail, print ad placements, vehicle advertising, and promotions at special events.
But when it comes to digital marketing, this is where you need to focus a good amount of your attention and budget. This is because 97 percent of homebuyers search online for homes, before hiring a real estate agent. This makes for plenty of exposure for you.
Some of the best means of digital marketing include:
- Email marketing with monthly newsletters and bi-monthly mailers
- Sending out e-invites to special real estate events
- Social media paid advertising and promotions — especially on platforms such as Instagram, and Facebook
- Partnering with local companies and running promotions via their social pages
- Hosting your own real estate website with an SEO-optimized blog
YouTube Advertising
One of the most powerful digital platforms today is YouTube. Research shows that up to 90 percent of online users find new products and brands via this platform. If you’re not advertising your services on YouTube, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of potential listings.
It’s worth paying for a pre-roll YouTube advertisement. This is the short advertisement that usually plays before the actual video. They are short, concise, and should contain practical information that’s easy to absorb. These ads are brilliant because they also target people in your local area.
This is one of the best ways to build awareness of your services and brand, even if it doesn’t lead to actual listings.
3. Network, Network, Network
Ah, the power of networking. As a new real estate agent looking for listings, don’t underestimate the power of networking with other local agents in your area.
Yes, they’re basically your competition. But most agents are happy to help and, what’s more, they’re a great source of information for you to learn from. Establishing peers in the business is extremely beneficial for you both.
Most local real estate agents are easy to connect with because they advertise their contact information so freely. Look for their phone numbers or email addresses and don’t be afraid to reach out for help. You can also use sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn to look for and connect with local agents in your area.
4. Make Use of Local Blogs and Content
There’s plenty of information at your fingertips, you just need to know where to look. In today’s day and age, you can scour existing content and blogs online for information on local listings and the state of your local market.
Don’t forget about your local newspaper too. Often there’s a section that offers valuable insight into all the real estate projects and listing in your area. In short, you want to read as much as you can — whether it’s local blogs, niche blogs, or your local paper to take advantage of available listings.
5. Use Local Referrals To Promote Yourself
Even if you’ve only worked with one client in your area, they could know of potential listings or home sellers. The great thing about maximizing your referrals is that someone always knows another person who might need a listing agent.
Finding and working with one reliable client generally leads to more. That’s why it’s important to swallow your pride and make the most of the people you know. Ask them for referrals or contacts — whether it’s buyers, sellers, or local developers. You never know what it could lead to!
Otherwise, a good way to market yourself in person is to:
- Attend community events and network with local professionals
- Attend real estate events and hand out your business card or flyers
- Host your own real estate event, such as a mixer, where other agents can mingle and share information
- Send an email or handwritten thank-you notes to all of the contacts you meet to remind them who you are
It’s also important to maintain a healthy relationship with existing clients as they could become repeat customers in the future.
6. Reach Out To Local Developers
Notice a new block of apartments being built in your area? Or how about a new set of homes? It’s a good idea to put yourself out there and approach the developer of these projects as they might need an agent to help them list their properties.
As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to know at least two major developers in your area, anyway. This is because they offer multiple listing opportunities and repeat business. Even if they’re already working with another agent, it doesn’t hurt to form a relationship with them for future business.
7. Capture the Attention of Downsizers
These are the types of homeowners who are eventually looking to sell their properties. They’re usually retirees, or homeowners with shrinking families, i.e. empty nesters. Known as ”downsizers”, they’re looking to sell their property for something smaller, such as a lock-up-and-go townhouse or apartment. They could also be moving across the country to live closer to family.
Whatever the case, they are a prime target for a listing. Some of these downsizers might not have the immediate desire to move or sell, but it’s worthwhile planting the seed. Carry out some research on locals in your area and get in touch to let them know you’re available!
8. Set Yourself Apart From the Rest
What is it that makes you stand out from all the other real estate agents in your area? While the task might seem daunting, you want to find your trademark, and always market yourself with it.
Some unique trademarking ideas include:
- Host charitable events in your area and give back to the community
- Put extra effort into your home staging or add a unique touch that stands out to your clients
- Throw themed events
- Begin a podcast that’s centered on the real estate market and include fun, quirky stories
- Use your social media platforms to tell stories and connect with your audience
Remember, it’s important to keep your trademark unique and simple so that it’s easily repeatable — you don’t want to corner yourself as a ”one-hit-wonder”.
9. Always Go Above and Beyond for Your Clients
Another way to set yourself apart from your local competition is to ensure that your service is always top-notch. This is one of the best ways to garner respect from both your colleagues and your clients.
They’ll remember you as the agent who always put in that extra effort to ensure all their needs are met, and then some. The end result is repeat business for you as well as good referrals.
This extra effort takes many different forms. It’s as simple as sending flowers or a gift basket to each new client once they’ve closed a deal on your listing. It’s follow-up emails and phone calls. It’s detailed, in-person home tours, or securing your clients the best home price. Going above and beyond always pays off!
Learn More on How To Get Listings as a Real Estate Agent
If you’re considering breaking into the real estate market, we hope this blog on how to get listings as a real estate agent is useful to you. If you can stick with these tried-and-true principles, you can kickstart your career in any market.
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