Real estate agents make great brokers. Take the next step in your career with Allied's Real Estate Broker License Courses. Be prepared to assume a management role in a real estate office as you oversee the entire real estate process. Receive a high-level of knowledge that includes advanced real estate practice, law, finance, appraisal, economics, property management, escrow, and/or real estate office administration.
With a softer dollar and lower home prices, the United States is drawing international buyers in a big way. According to the 2008 NAR Profile of International Home Buying Activity, between 150,000 and 190,000 homes were sold to international buyers between May 2007 and May 2008. Here are some highlights from NAR's report:
- International buyers purchased properties in every U.S. state
- States most popular with international buyers: Florida, California and Texas
- Four in 10 international buyers paid for their home in cash
- Over 14% of properties sold to international buyers sold in excess of $750,000
- Canadian buyers doubled from 11% in 2007 to 23.05% in 2008
- Of the realtors surveyed by NAR, 26% served international clients in the past year
What does this mean for U.S real estate agents? If you haven't already, broaden your horizons and start thinking globally, not just locally. If your farm isn't providing the business it used to, why not try something new? Use the Internet to start networking and marketing to this new stream of eager buyers. You just might find yourself a new, comfortable niche.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.brokerlicense.com
Labels: California Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Agent, real estate buyer, real estate market
more>>Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 4:15 PM • 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
Labels: Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Broker License, real estate market
more>>Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 9:58 AM • 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,Broker License School
Labels: broker license exam, Real Estate Agent, real estate broker career, real estate buyer
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
Labels: California Real Estate Agent, California Real Estate Broker License, Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Broker License
more>>Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 3:11 PM • 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,Real Estate Broker Schools
Labels: Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Broker, real estate broker education
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
Labels: Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Broker License
more>>Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 8:59 AM • 0 comments
