Contributors
Today’s Working Smarter Tip provides a simple way to create more balance in your life. The first step is to make a list of 10 things you thoroughly enjoy. Some suggestions include reading, cooking, taking a walk, going shopping, watching a movie, enjoying a great dinner, a massage, or a long bath. The second step is to schedule an appointment to do at least two of these every day. Be sure to put it in your appointment book and don’t forget to keep that appointment!
10 Delicious Daily Habits
February 16, 2012
Get Your Priorities Straight
February 9, 2012
Here is a simple guide to setting priorities for your real estate business. When you have a scheduling conflict, here’s the order in which you should set your priorities.
Your first priority always must be any client who already has a property under contract. This is your money in the bank. It’s better to cancel a buyer appointment than it is to lose a deal that is already under contract.
Your second priority is servicing your current listing inventory. These sellers have committed to work exclusively with you. Their needs come before those of any buyer.
Your third priority is warm seller leads. Listings are still the name of the game. If you have to decide between a listing appointment and taking out buyers, the best bet is to go on the listing appointment.
Your fourth priority is warm buyer leads.
The fifth and final priority is anyone who is not ready to transact in the next 30 to 60 days. Remember, your existing business always deserves your utmost attention
Keep Your Standards High
February 2, 2012
Today’s Working Smarter has to do with maintaining high standards for your business even times are tough. When you’re struggling to make ends meet, it’s tempting to work with people that you would normally not work with and to tolerate behaviors that you would not normally tolerate. There’s an old expression that says, “When you lie with dogs, don’t be surprised if you get up with fleas.” The choice here is simple—only work with people who are honest, ethical, and who are not dysfunctional. Otherwise, you may be the one who gets “bitten.”
Staging Tips
January 26, 2012
Today’s working Smarter Tip comes from Gary Keller’s book, Shift. According to Keller’s research, staged homes sold in half the time that non-staged homes did. Staged homes also ended up with 6.3 percent more in terms of sales price as compared to houses that were not staged. To persuade sellers about the importance of staging, take pictures of cluttered closets and rooms before and after staging. Then ask which ones capture their attention. In terms of how to stage use the 3P-2F Formula: plantings, paint, pictures, fixtures, and furnishings.
Humor Makes Real Estate More Fun
January 19, 2012
Most people want an agent who is fun and technically competent. A great way to use your print advertising to get people to your website is to write intriguing and fun advertising copy. For example, rather than sending out a boring Just Listed postcard, have fun with it. On the card, show pictures of people partying. The caption on the card could say, “Guess what your neighbors did last night?” This approach makes your Just Listed card stand out from the competition. If you want more business, show your fun side.
You Have Two Ears and One Mouth
January 12, 2012
This Working Smarter Tip is critical if you want to list and sell more real estate. Many agents feel that it is their job to carry the conversation. A better approach is to listen about twice as much as you speak. In other words, at least 67 percent of your time with your clients should be spent discovering more about who they are, their lifestyle, as well as what truly matters to them. Avoid dominating the conversation—remember, you have one mouth and two years—listen twice as much as you talk.
Billable Hours
January 5, 2012
Today’s working smarter tip can really help your business. Agents often get bogged down with too much to do and not enough time in which to do it. A great way to prioritize what you need to do is to ask yourself, “Is this a billable activity?” In other words, think of yourself as an attorney. If you were charging for your services, who would you bill for this time? Make these activities plus your prospecting activities your highest priorities everyday.
Get Your Head Out of the Sand
December 29, 2011
Given that the median age of agents in the U.S. is 54, it comes as no surprise that many older agents don’t believe that they have to be on the social media. Today’s working smarter tip asks this important question: If you’re not speaking to your clients either face-to-face, by phone, or online, the question is which of your competitors is talking to them? If you want to avoid losing clients over time, remember, you must stay in regular contact. If you refuse to get involved in Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, then it’s even more important that you’re seeing all past clients at least once a quarter as well as contacting them by phone or email at least once a month.
Being First Matters When Getting a Listing
December 22, 2011
The April edition of Texas Realtor has some fascinating data about how consumers select the agents to represent them. The Texas research shows that 62 percent of all sellers only interviewed one agent. Another three percent ended up doing business with the person who was sitting “floor time” or “up time” in a nearby real estate office. In other words, almost two out of every three consumers hire the agent with whom they have spoken with most recently face-to-face. This is why it’s critical to stay in constant contact with your past clients as well as the other members of your referral database.
Spend Less, Keep More
December 15, 2011
Today’s working smarter tip is about making the necessary changes to shift from being an unconscious spender to being a smart spender. The best way to do this is to form a group. Next plan a competition to see who can cut the most expenses each week as well as who can find the best deals. Don’t make this a burden—have fun. Best of all, working with others helps you to create an environment that supports you to be smart about your spending and can help you weather this tough market.
