When asked how they plan to achieve their goals, many agents point to marketing, networking and communication as their steps to success. Unfortunately, many agents are unsure about which specific tactics to try for high ROI. We’re excited to highlight some of the tried-and-true tactics from top agents to help you finish out 2021 strong.
In this recent RISMedia webinar, Sherri Johnson, CEO and founder of Sherri Johnson Coaching & Consulting, points out that a lot of the tactics used by rookie agents—open houses, expired listings, and direct mail—are suggested because they work. These tactics aren’t particularly challenging, and by simply taking the time to do them, you can double your business year after year.
Don’t forget about expired listings.
“In this market, I think you tend to lose touch with what the basics are. You figure, ‘everything’s moving so quickly, why would I go knock on someone’s door when it was already expired,’ but, it’s almost a no brainer,” says Kyle Carnegie, principal of Realty ONE Group Capital.
Expired listings provide prime opportunities because the seller was already, at one point, ready to sell. Carnegie was recently able to find his buyer the perfect home and land a new buyer by stepping out of his comfort zone and knocking on the door of an expired listing.
Don’t knock open houses.
Johnson says that open houses are “the very best lead generator of all time,” and has helped show many agents why.
Megan Owens, REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, hosts a slightly different kind of open house geared specifically toward neighbors. She calls it the “nosy neighbor” open house, and she uses it to allow neighbors to see the home and discuss the sale process with her. And, of course, she collects their contact info and sends a post-event thank you!
Send personalized notes and gifts.
You’ve probably heard this one thousand times—and that’s because it works! Real estate agents find success by building relationships. From thank you notes after client meetings to congratulations for major life events you see on Facebook, sending a personalized note not only shows you care, but it also keeps you top of mind.
Apps (like Ink) allow you to personalize cards with your own text and photos from your phone. This means that you can send highly personalized cards to clients while you’re waiting to start your open house or immediately after client meetings.
Gifts are another way to show your clients gratitude. Agent Julie Brittain fills a basket with snacks, a bluetooth speaker, snacks, and blankets to make moving day go just a little smoother.
Make networking fun with events.
Events are a great way for you to tap into clients’ networks! Once her buyers have settled in, Brittain offers to host a free housewarming party for her clients—giving her the opportunity to speak with each of the attendees. Agent Megan Owens also finds great success from events and has been able to consistently generate seven to 10 deals from some of her larger events.
Prepare for the market.
There’s nothing more basic than helping your clients get their homes market-ready. REALTORS® have been suggesting pre-listing updates for quite a long time, with paint, flooring, landscaping and repairs being the primary focus. Over time, homebuyer preferences have changed, and the majority of today’s buyers are searching for move-in ready homes. As a result, agents are suggesting a wider range of pre-listing updates—and that’s why Curbio is the number one tool that should be in every agent’s back pocket.
Curbio partners with real estate agents and homeowners to deliver a streamlined home improvement experience powered by technology and designed to get every home ready for market or move-in quickly.
Comment below with additional “basics” you’d suggest for rookies and veterans alike! And make sure to learn more about how you can use Curbio to grow your business.
Olivia Mariani is the Director of Marketing at Curbio. To learn more about Curbio’s pre-listing home improvement solution and how it can help you grow your business, visit curbio.com.
