As a real estate broker, is there anything better than free advertising that reaches over a million people? We're not talking about print advertising here, but online - which is where the vast majority of home buyers begin their home search. Websites like Zillow.com and Trulia.com are making it possible via free bulk data feeds.
Advertising is costly. Taking advantage of bulk data feeds is not. Basically, a feed is an easy way to automatically drive your listings to participating websites. Take the Zillow Listings Feed Program for example - this free service allows brokerages to reach a much broader audience. So, whether you just received your real estate broker license or you're a manager coaching a team of agents - this technology benefits all.
The bulk data feed technology is continually improving. For example, on July 23, 2008, Zillow.com announced an expansion in the total for-sale listings on their site. Zillow sends interested home buyers back to the websites of their partner brokerages, so bulk data feed technology provides another stream of potential leads.
Brokerages can take advantage of a variety of bulk data feeds, like OpenHouse.com, which targets consumers searching for open houses. New feeds are popping up on a regular basis, so pay attention, evaluate your options, and if you locate a good fit, test it out. Though not all feeds may be free, most provide viable, cost-effective advertising solutions.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Real Estate School, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 10:31 AM • 0 comments
If you're a manager with a real estate broker license, keeping your agents motivated in a changing market can be challenging. Help them beat market challenges by avoiding these time-wasting traps.
Fickle buyers
Time is precious. So if your agents are spending hours upon hours with one fickle client, make sure they have a Buyer-Broker agreement in place. At the same time, advise your agents to set a limit on the amount of time they spend on a hopelessly, fickle client. That way, they don't miss out on more fruitful leads.
Stubborn sellers
If your agent recommends staging or suggests a competitive listing price, their clients should consider their advice. If their seller refuses, your agent will waste time convincing potential buyers to overlook the problems. Help your agents overcome objections. Coach them to ask questions during the listing presentation so they can better gage a client's stance.
Ineffective advertising or marketing
Advertising and marketing is expensive. Do your agents monitor their efforts and measure how many leads come in, if any? If their advertising and/or marketing plans don't at least pay for themselves, advise them to try something different. Help them by hosting marketing workshops and ask your agents to share successful strategies at your office meetings.
Negative naysayers
There's no mistaking it - negative people kill morale. Maybe the market is more challenging than in recent years, but consider periods like the 1980's or early 1990's. Agents still made a living and persevered onto the next market phase and so can your agents. Coach them to focus on the positive and to brainstorm solutions to challenges with other positive-minded peers.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 9:58 AM • 0 comments
Obtain a real estate broker license and you'll use an array of advertising angles to attract business. Be careful. Violating Fair Housing Act guidelines in your advertising is easier than you think.
Words or descriptions that seem harmless to you may be offensive to others. So how do you stay compliant? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has created a set of advertising guidelines to follow. They consider discriminatory advertising to be:
1. An advertisement that consists of words, phrases or visuals that insinuate a discriminatory preference or limitation.
2. An advertisement that uses certain media, logos and/or locations that insinuate a discriminatory preference or limitation.
3. Discriminatory advertising that violates the Fair Housing Act.
Before you finalize your advertisements, review them carefully and make sure they don't exclude anyone based on race, religion, sex, family status or physical capabilities. For more information, visit www.hud.gov.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 3:06 PM • 0 comments
Want to obtain your real estate broker license? Forget traffic, hours in a crowded classroom and expensive trips to the pump - online real estate schools are the perfect fit for busy, career-minded agents.
Online Real Estate School Perks:
Train While Maintaining Your Career
An online real estate school allows you to keep your life the same without having to make changes to accommodate your real estate broker license course. Focus on your current professional commitments while preparing for a new challenge - a successful real estate broker career.
Train When You Choose
You can enjoy flexible, self-paced real estate broker training. An online school allows you to customize your training and create a schedule that works best for your professional and family obligations. With an online real estate school, study when you have time and control how much you want to learn. You are in charge!
Train Where You Choose
You can complete your real estate broker training from wherever you choose. An online education allows you to access your assignments and tests through the convenience of your computer. Study and complete your online real estate broker training from home, your office or even a favorite coffee shop without the hassle of traveling to a classroom across town.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 2:42 PM • 0 comments
Photography isn't a required real estate broker license course. Yet, it's a skill every real estate broker license holder should master.
Why? Buyers are Internet savvy and you need to grab their attention with an attractive presentation of sharp photos. Here are five photo taking tips to consider before your next home shoot:
1) Time your picture perfectly. The best time to capture an exterior shot is during the middle of the day when the sun is bright and the sky is blue. For interior shots, turn on the lights and use a flash so the photos don't look too dark.
2) Take a variety of quality photos. Buyers want to see more than one or two photos. So include a variety of photos that highlight the home's best features. Consider a professional staging service if the home doesn't photograph well.
3) Don't photograph unnecessary clutter. Remove clutter before taking photos of a home. In the kitchen, clear counters of extra appliances, put away dishes and remove mismatched magnets from the fridge. Throughout the interior, put away toys, make the beds, place fresh towels in the bathrooms and make sure laundry is out of sight.
4) Use your camera wisely. If your photos are poor quality, unimpressed buyers are likely to click on to the next property. Get clear shots by using a higher resolution. High resolution photos are essential for quality print, including flyers, postcards, magazines and newspapers. The photos can always be decreased for use on the web.
5) Take a photography class. Not comfortable with your photography skills? Improve them, and your real estate broker career, by taking a photography class at a local community college, community center or camera shop.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 2:25 PM • 0 comments
Put your real estate broker license knowledge to work! Help your agents overcome tough client objections at your next office meeting.
Successful real estate agents are pros at overcoming client objections, but more than likely, they weren't always so savvy about it. No matter what level your agents are at, getting them to share their experiences and tactics will benefit everyone on your team.
Start your objection handling training with this simple exercise:
1. On separate sheets of paper, ask your agents to write down the toughest client objection they struggle to overcome.
2. Collect each paper and see which objections are most common.
3. Pick one of the objections and ask two of your agents to role play the situation as client and agent.
This exercise is a fun, interactive training tool that allows your agents to observe their peers in action, while using their own best tactics in situations that everyone can identify with. And don't just stop with one objection, role play with other common objections that your team seems to struggle with. They will learn new skills for combating future objections and possibly eliminate a barrier to their own success.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 3:11 PM • 0 comments
Get your real estate broker license and you'll be responsible for handling clients' personal data. From social security numbers to bank accounts, make sure you store and dispose of this private data with the utmost care.
Lock Your Cabinets
A real estate transaction requires a great amount of personal information. Mistakes managing brokers should avoid include leaving bank statements or social security information unattended on a fax machine or desk. Keep this vulnerable information in a locked cabinet.
Stay Organized
Do have random files saved all over your desktop or are you still trying to find that PDF you know you saved three days ago? When you're organized, your client's information is safer. And there's some great organizational software solutions specifically designed for the real estate professional. Check out the latest real estate wiki at www.realestatewiki.com for a list of real estate software providers.
Maintain Security Software
Yes, it's time for yet another update to your security software. Don't ignore it or postpone it for a later time. Keeping antivirus and spyware software current is an essential layer in the information protection game.
Back-up Uour Data
Don't leave sensitive data on your desktop or laptop. Instead, move the data to an external storage device for safe keeping.
Utilize Passwords
Use passwords to protect access to all of your electronics. This includes using strong passwords that consist of numbers, letters and symbols. Change your passwords regularly and make sure to use a different password for each electronic device.
Dispose of Old Data Carefully
Shredding unwanted documents should already be a part of your routine. However, CD's & DVD's containing important data must be destroyed too. Also, make sure to fully erase storage devices when getting rid of old computers or other electronic devices. Check with your local computer store and get the most effective tools for permanently clearing all data.
Share Your System
Make sure clients know that you place great importance on protecting their personal information. Sharing your privacy policy with them can help build trust and strengthen your relationship.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com more>>
Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 9:55 AM • 0 comments
