How to Attract Clients in Residential Real Estate


Doesn't it seem like everyone you know has a friend, relative, or acquaintance that is a realtor? How could anyone, especially someone new to the industry, possibly achieve success when faced with this much competition?

The answer begins to appear when you consider the following questions:

  • How many licensed real estate agents have the talents required for success in sales?

  • How many have been trained in effective selling techniques?

  • How many know how to prospect effectively?

  • How many know which questions to ask to determine the factors that are most important to each prospect's buying decision?

  • How many take their profession seriously and are willing to put in the effort and hours that are required to build a successful business?

  • How many of them regularly sell multiple houses per month?
The 80/20 rule definitely applies to residential real estate. In fact, some statistics suggest the ratio is more like 90/10 (where 90% of home sales are made by just 10% of realtors), with the vast majority of home sales by the top 1%!

So, how can a novice realtor attract clients? By building his or her credibility and relationships. Let's explore these two topics separately.

How to Build Credibility

Imagine you are a brand new realtor that has just passed the licensing exam. Why would someone turn to you to help them make what may be the largest investment of their lifetime? What makes you stand out from other licensed real estate agents?

If you are new to the profession, you won't have success stories or testimonials to point to as answers to these questions. However, there are many things you can do to build up credibility quickly. Here are a few examples:

  • You can perform in-depth research on a specific aspect of your local real estate market and write a "white paper" or "special report" to share with prospects. Examples of potential topics include "The Hottest Markets In (a specific area)", and "Resale Home Prices for the Past 12 Months In (a particular community)".

  • You can compile a "New Resident Resource List" that educates your prospects on local stores, service companies, fun activities, family-friendly restaurants, etc.

  • You can write articles and deliver free speeches or seminars that are based upon the results of your research.

There is tremendous power in authorship. If you can place useful information that has your name on it the hands of potential prospects, you will earn credibility.

How to Build Relationships

A good starting point is making sure everyone you know (friends, family, acquaintances, past business contacts, etc.) is aware that you have become a licensed real estate agent. It doesn't matter where they live -- who knows when one of their friends or associates will decide to move into your target market? The best approach is a simple, "soft sell" message such as: "If you hear of anyone that might be interested in buying or selling a house, please let them know that I would be delighted to help them." When you are sure that everyone you know is aware of your new role, start pursuing new relationships. Don't limit yourself to contacts that may themselves become prospects. Also look for opportunities to develop relationships with people that can refer prospects to you. This includes:

  • Mortgage brokers

  • Bankers

  • Salespeople in non-competing sales roles (i.e., new home sales vs. resale)

  • Property managers

  • Corporate relocation managers

You can also pursue relationships with people that have large customer lists such as accountants, financial advisors, and insurance agents.

Focus on getting to know potential prospects and referral sources as people. What do they do for a living? What constitutes an opportunity for them? What are their issues and concerns? What are their personal interests and passions?

If you constantly have your "radar" up, you never know when you will run across a resource that could be helpful to someone else. If you focus on helping other people accomplish their goals and fulfill their needs and wants, you will be astonished by the number of referrals that come your way.

As you build your list of satisfied customers, you will be able to expand your sales success through referrals and testimonials. However, the strategies described in this article will always provide a boost to your opportunity pipeline!

Copyright 2004, 2005 -- Alan Rigg

Sales performance expert Alan Rigg is the author of How to Beat the 80/20 Rule in Selling: Why Most Salespeople Don't Perform and What to Do About It. To learn more about his book and sign up for more FREE sales and sales management tips, visit http://www.8020performance.com.



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Real Estate Matters
Baltimore Sun, United States - 23 hours ago
By Ilyce Glink Despite the housing recession, there are still more than 1.5 million real estate agents in the United States. Competition is one thing good ...


Real estate firm gets into gas biz
Bizjournals.com, NC - 9 hours ago
Bunnell Hill Development, part of Lebanon-based real estate company Henkle Schueler and Associates Inc., has opened two Big Mike's Gas N' Go locations, ...
Radio roots run deep: Palec mixes music with real estate Bizjournals.com
Multifamily property sales break dry spell Bizjournals.com
Shell move to put choice land up for grabs Bizjournals.com
Bizjournals.com
all 376 news articles


Radio roots run deep: Palec mixes music with real estate
Bizjournals.com, NC - 17 hours ago
He's been one of metropolitan Milwaukee's most prominent commercial real estate brokers in recent years, handling some of the area's biggest deals including ...


Gazprom's real estate subsidiary to invest one bln euros in Morocco
Forbes, NY - 17 hours ago
TANGIER (Thomson Financial) - The real estate subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom is to invest nearly one billion euros in northern Morocco, ...


New York Times

Lax Real Estate Decisions Hurt Starbucks
New York Times, United States - Jul 4, 2008
The company has long been known in the world of commercial real estate for its expertise at selecting prime locations and its fearlessness in establishing ...
Another major flaw in Starbucks (SBUX) management BloggingStocks
600 Starbucks to Close, Hope Anew for Fair Trade? Bay Area Indymedia
all 12 news articles


Johnson has magic touch for real estate
Chicago Tribune, United States - 6 hours ago
Canyon-Johnson, formed in 1998, has financed 31 real estate developments in 13 states, including Illinois, and Washington. It launched its third and biggest ...


Pinellas failed to learn real estate lessons of 1920s
Tampabay.com, FL - 4 hours ago
It's an outline of the 1920s Florida real estate boom and bust. But historical amnesiacs can be mistaken for assuming it describes the real estate roller ...


Real Estate Investors & Small Business Owners will get their ...
Emailwire - 6 hours ago
COM, July 05, 2008 ) Romulus, MI--Richard White, real estate, attorney, and noted author will be one of the members of the panel. Markwei Boye, accountant ...
Mark Maupin Announces New Location for National Real Estate ... Emailwire
all 3 news articles


World's most expensive luxury real estate markets
Times of India, India - 3 hours ago
The housing boom, which spread across many of the world's finest luxury destinations, is finally tailing off. Still, prices in London, Monaco, Manhattan, ...


Ri8ng on real estate
National Post, Canada - 6 hours ago
With a CD due this fall, and a full-time job designing luxury homes, Sergio Galli, guitarist for the '80s rock band Platinum Blonde, is a hard guy to pin ...

Real-Estate - Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

© Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved