As a managing broker with a real estate broker license, agents will seek you out with questions. Encourage them to be pro-active! Tell them to check out the latest Real Estate Wiki first.
Just like its well-known cousin Wikipedia.com, RealEstateWiki.com is a comprehensive, user-generated, online encyclopedia - except Real Estate Wiki is solely dedicated to everything real estate.
RealSure, a real estate consulting and publishing services company, launched the site in January with approximately 3,000 real estate terms, 1,000 Q & A's, 500 real estate acronyms, 400 biography pages and more. Around the end of April, there were already over 14,500 entries on the site. This latest Real Estate Wiki follows the likes of wikis on Zillow.com and Inman.com.
RealEstateWiki.com, the new kid on the block, consists of 70 user friendly categories that cater to both consumer and industry needs. For example, say an agent has an out-of-state listing and isn't sure which MLS to use. Under the Government, Associations and Organizations section, the Multiple Listings Service link provides a list of multiple listings services across the nation, the URL and a brief overview of the area it covers.
Brokers can also enjoy a treasure trove of resources. Find an online real estate broker school where you can renew your broker license. You can even stay on top of any changes to your state's broker licensing requirements.
Real estate professionals and anyone interested in real estate is encouraged to sign up and contribute relevant data to the site. Membership is free and only takes a few minutes. So check it out, watch the latest real estate videos, read the latest blog buzz, get tips on home inspection or put in your own two cents and post an entry.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 9:15 AM • 0 comments
When you're a managing broker with a real estate broker license, time is a precious commodity.
Keep broker license current, weekly office meeting, mentor new agent and revamp recruitment strategies - these are just a few of the items on your to-do list today. So when will you have time to create that FSBO PowerPoint presentation or update your office's sale spreadsheets? Maintain your current office administrator's sanity and get more work done with the help of a virtual assistant.
A virtual assistant works independently, providing clerical, technical and creative assistance from their own office. Starting at about $35 an hour, you can hire a virtual assistant to help you with mundane tasks like bill paying or database management. In fact, you can hire a virtual assistant who specializes in the real estate industry. Check with the REVA Network (www.revanetwork.com) or with the International Virtual Assistants Association (www. ivaa.org) where you can find assistants specializing in the MLS, real estate copywriting, FSBO campaigns, lead management, blogs and more.
A virtual assistant can be a cost effective option for your office. You only pay for the time they work, so if tasks slow down, you won't have an extra employee on the payroll idly sitting around. Plus you don't need to worry about health benefits, employee tax or creating a work space complete with office equipment, furniture and a computer.
So how do you hire the right virtual assistant? There are many virtual assistant certifications out there, but that doesn't mean the individual is property trained. Experience is key, so look for an assistant who has several years of administrative experience in an actual real estate office - preferably as an office administrator or executive assistant. You should also request references and a consultation. It's important your personalities are a natural fit.
Wasting time is one of those mistakes managing brokers should avoid. Take control and experience the ease of a helpful virtual assistant. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 2:32 PM • 0 comments
Use your real estate broker license for a good cause! Catch the eye of environmentally savvy clients by jumping on the "go green" bandwagon.
Recycle equipment
Do you need to rid your storage room of old computers, phones, TV's, calculators or more? Donate them to schools or philanthropic organizations. Another option is to see if the manufacturer has a recycling program or go online and check out local recycling programs. The National Center for Electronics and Recycling website provides an online database of where to go.
Use eco-friendly materials
Purchase carpet with recycled fibers, or even better, use carpet tiles so you can replace a small square instead of several feet of material. Instead of wood floors, try reclaimed wood flooring, bamboo, palm or rubber wood. Green-friendly reception counters include Terrazzo, paper-stone, bamboo or concrete. When choosing upholstery, check out organic cotton, modal or hemp.
Smart lighting concepts
Whenever possible, open up those blinds and utilize the natural light. Also, instead of lighting an entire room, use task lighting for specific areas of the room - just make sure to use earth-friendly compact florescent bulbs. Another option is to install motion sensors so light is only on when needed.
Make recycling easy
Place extra garbage cans throughout your office for recycling paper. Do the same for your kitchen area for recycling cans and plastic bottles. Some states have recycling programs that make it easier for small businesses to dispose of recyclables, so check with your state's small-business division for details.
Get the community involved
Once you get your green office in place, get the entire community involved. Send press releases out to promote your green office and invite the community to an open house with refreshments to check out your office. Have a green expert host a free consumer seminar and host a special recycle workshop for kids.
Your agents can capitalize on your office's green efforts by running smaller recycling campaigns in their farms. Do something good for the environment and use your efforts as one more tool to grab your target consumer's attention.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 3:17 PM • 0 comments
If you're a managing broker, you've probably coached agents about time management. Set an example - be productive and renew your real estate broker license online in your free time.
With meetings to attend, agents to guide and recruiting efforts always on your mind, when will you find the time to keep your broker license current? The answer is simple - online education.
Online education gives you the power to build your career as a licensed real estate broker while meeting renewal requirements from the comfort of your office or home. Plus you can complete your renewal requirements when it's convenient for you. So why spend several hours in a class room when you could meet your goals more quickly at your own pace?
Once you make the decision to obtain your broker renewal online, make sure you pick a real estate school that meets your needs. Here's an example of what to look for in a real estate school:
1) State-Approved Courses
2) Industry-Leading Materials
3) Student Support
4) Convenience and Affordability
An online renewal is the perfect compliment to your busy career. Stay on top of your real estate education and renew your broker license in a way that's convenient for you!
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 11:51 AM • 0 comments
Do you use your real estate broker license wisely? You're a leader, so keep your management tactics fresh by avoiding these six managing broker mistakes.
1) Not maintaining your boundaries.
It's nice to be liked by everyone, but be realistic. As managing broker, you must create clear boundaries between being too friendly and too distant. A great manager should be trusted, respected and applies the same rules to all who report to them.
2) Not keeping up on your continuing education.
Be a good role model for your agents - stay on top of your career! This means taking care of your broker license renewal in advance and adapting your management techniques to reflect what you learn from your continuing education courses.
3) Not responding to your sales team's feedback.
When your agents offer suggestions or present ideas, don't be unresponsive. Instead, listen, don't interrupt and show your appreciation for their input. Show your sales team you value them by implementing as many as their ideas as possible. And if you say you're going to do something, make sure you do - actions speak louder than words. Managing brokers who are insincere loose respect quickly.
4) Not creating an environment of accountability.
Establish goals for your agents, individually and as a team, and hold them to it. For example, create a system that holds agents accountable for the leads they receive. When did they contact the lead, what was the result and has a follow-up date been established? Require this information on your desk every morning.
Another example is working with new agents. Set a probationary period where their employment is contingent upon meeting several goals. If they don't meet their goals, it's like they're firing them self.
5) Not spending time in the field.
It's easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks, reports and meetings. Although important, do you take the time to find out what makes your agents tick? Spend time with your sales team and learn what motivates them. Find out what their individual strengths and weaknesses are, than develop training programs that improve the bad and capitalize on the good.
6) Not being honest with yourself.
A real estate broker career is not for everyone. If you find your passion is purely sales and not so much management, than follow your heart. You owe it to yourself, but more importantly, to your agents who need an inspiring, trustworthy coach who's comfortable in their role as the fearless leader.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 7:43 AM • 0 comments
You've worked with sellers, buyers and you're ready for a new challenge. Want to learn how to become a real estate broker? Getting your real estate broker license is easier than you think.
Although requirements for obtaining a real estate broker license vary from state to state, most require you to:
1) Hold a current, state-issued real estate license for 1 to 3 years
(some states waive this requirement for those holding a B.A. degree in real estate)
2) Complete required broker qualification course work
3) Pass your state's real estate broker license exam
Your required broker qualification courses must be completed at a school with the proper accreditation or at a private real estate school with state approved courses. And times have changed. To obtain a real estate broker license, agents use to have one choice - spend several hours per week attending class. Although this is a good fit for some, it's not the most efficient option for all.
As an entrepreneur, agents need to be available when their clients need them. That's why some choose to take online real estate broker courses. Many online classes are self-paced and can be completed from an agent's office or home during their free time. It's a convenient and cost-effective way to further one's real estate career, while ensuring clients are taken care of.
Once a broker license is obtained, new and exciting career opportunities become available. Brokers and agents do the same type of work, but brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses or can become a branch manager for a privately owned real estate company. Brokers can also make franchise agreements with national or regional real estate companies. This means the broker pays a fee in order to be associated with a well-established brand name, receive help with training, receive access to proprietary tools and more.
A career as a real estate broker may be the rewarding challenge you're looking for. Verify requirements by checking with your state's real estate licensing commission.
By Danielle Macklin,Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 8:59 AM • 0 comments
Once you obtain your real estate broker license, many new and exciting roles will enter your real estate career. Of these roles, you will master the importance of branding.
Are the real estate agents who represent your brokerage communicating the right message to consumers with their marketing materials? Use your knowledge gained from broker training and take steps to control use of poor-quality photos, wrong company colors and misuse of logos. More importantly, make sure your branding efforts align with your target audience. Here are three tips to get you started:
1) Create a comprehensive brand book.
This is your opportunity to standardize your marketing. Your brand book should include a mission statement, company values and an overview of the target audience. Also include your logo and specifics on how it can be used. Company colors and taglines should also remain consistent. Finally, make it easy for your agents to follow the brand book by supplying approved company materials on a computer server or an intranet.
2) Make sure your brokerage's persona is consistent with your target audience.
If you're targeting high-end customers, your persona must be elegant, sophisticated and centered around first class, concierge-style services. If you're targeting young professionals, your persona should have a high-tech edge backed by a website packed with interactive tools.
3) Make sure your sales associates reflect your brokerage's persona.
Do your agents know who your target audience is? If your persona is to attract the young, tech-savvy crowd, your agents must check their emails every day, if not several times a day. The idea is that every real estate agent utilizes technology, like the Internet, text messaging and the company's own web tools, to demonstrate the brokerage's high-tech edge and commitment to making the client's life easier.
On the other hand, if your target audience is young, growing families, your real estate salespeople need to have a presence in the communities you serve. Encourage them to host holiday events, like free Halloween face painting, or to organize can food drives in their farms.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 12:25 PM • 0 comments
If sales decrease in your area, office gripes may increase. Use knowledge gained from obtaining your Real Estate Broker License, keep complaints in check and lead your team by example.
1) Show, don't tell - Actions can speak louder than words. If you stomp around the office with a frown, don't expect your sales team to feel inspired. You are the leader with the Real Estate Broker License knowledge they look to for direction. Demonstrate confidence and smile - especially at your weekly office meetings where energy levels should be highest. Get agents to share success stories. By sharing, you're showing them if others can do it, so can they.
2) Organize a meeting of the minds - Provide complainers an opportunity to voice their concerns. Typically, negative agents are those who are struggling the most. At the meeting, arrange for the positive agents to share their techniques and brainstorm solutions to each problem. On whiteboards or poster boards, post the complaints with the solutions in a common area so they stay fresh in the naysayer mind.
3) Open your ears - If your agent has a complaint, more than anything, they want to be heard. While they speak, use non-verbal techniques, like nodding, that show you understand them. Don't speak until your agent is finished. Once you fully understand the situation, you can more effectively address them.
4) Create a positive atmosphere - Create a happy office culture and agents will want to be there. Plan events where agents get to know each other. This can include everything from happy hour to supporting local charitable causes.
5) Deal with office gossip - Is someone in your office creating an atmosphere of animosity because of hurtful gossip? Build morale back up by speaking directly with the gossiper and their target, or rather, their peer. More than likely, the gossip spreader will recoil, taking on a more demure, toned-down role in your office.
6) Make confrontations positive - Speak with a problematic agent in private, clearly state the problem followed by the need for a solution. Don't allow the agent to shift the topic to the faults of others. Your meeting is just about their behavior, how it contributes to a negative atmosphere and how their sales would benefit by switching their focus back to their job - selling real estate.
7) Back-up your warnings - Sometimes a calm demeanor, a title of authority and the management expertise gained from a Real Estate Broker License may not be enough to reason with a difficult personality. If an agent in your office has been warned, yet they repeatedly destroy office morale, show them the closest exit. Negativity is contagious, so cut it off at the epicenter before is spreads.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 11:19 AM • 0 comments
