Most people think that in order to become a great Realtor we need to be good at showing and selling property," we tell ourselves. "What more is there?” In reality, it turns out there's quite a bit Read more...
Most people think that in order to become a great Realtor we need to be good at showing and selling property," we tell ourselves. "What more is there?” In reality, it turns out there's quite a bit beyond that. If you’re interested in obtaining your real estate license and become a full-fledged Realtor, it’s probably useful to learn a little bit more about what someone in that role actually does daily. Once you finish our real estate license school and head out into the real world, you'll find that the daily responsibilities of a real estate agent are actually a lot more involved than you might think. Not in a bad way — but in a way that you should be familiar with before you begin those early days of your career.
The Life of a Real Estate Agent: Breaking Things Down
One of the most important daily responsibilities of any real estate agent actually has little to do with "selling houses" at all. Broadly, you need to be excellent at providing customer service to a wide range of people in a myriad of different situations.
Be The Calm in the Storm
Think about it like this: Buying a home is one of the most important moments in a person's life, particularly if it's the first time they're doing it. So it's an inherently stressful experience and one where people will be looking for an expert to guide them. The best real estate agents understand that they are the calming force in any transaction. You need to be able to provide people with the information they need to make the best decisions possible and you need to do so in a way that simultaneously instills confidence. It's a lesson you'll begin to learn in our real estate license school but that you'll have to perfect over time on the job.
Understanding Contracts and Paperwork
Another major daily activity of a busy Realtor involves drafting and preparing things like offers and other types of paperwork. This requires a deep understanding of not only the laws and regulations in your particular market, but also the needs and requirements of the people you're actually working with. Remember that as an agent, you are someone else's advocate — they're trusting you to bring a level of experience to the deal that they themselves do not possess. To get to that point, you need to not only be aware of HOW to handle the paperwork that comes with buying and selling real estate, but organized enough to do so in the right way. That customer service element also intersects with the marketing side of the business — only instead of selling a property, you're really selling your most valuable asset of all: yourself and your abilities. Similarly, the busy real estate agents spend a majority of their day getting, obtaining and servicing listings in their marketplace. Most of the time, this is done by pouring over the Multiple Listing Service database, otherwise known as the MLS. Most MLS databases are logical but sometimes they are not so intuitive. Only through practice running a variety of different searches can proficiency be obtained. For example, how do you search for a single-story home, with a spa but no pool in a specific school district below $750 per square foot? This search will take the expert Realtor 1-2 minutes, whereas for a rookie this same search might take 10-15 minutes. Like most things - practice makes perfect. If someone says to you, "I like this house we're looking at, but it would be better if it had X, Y and Z qualities," you should immediately be thinking of other properties you can show them. You can't do that without putting in the time to research what those listings actually are. Working with the MLS is a crucial part of the daily life of a real estate agent.
Don’t forget to prospect
Most importantly, a real estate agent spends an incredible amount of time collecting leads from other sources, too — either via word of mouth from past satisfied customers or from referrals in the industry. Hitting the phones or door knocking can also be a great way to get a hot tip on a property before it actually gets on the market- especially if it's one that you know would be perfect for one particular client. That aspect alone can quickly become an omnipresent part of the job — something that you should have at the very least in the back of your mind all day, every day. It's part and parcel for what a real estate agent actually does and, in truth, that rush of getting the jump on your competitors is a large part of why people love the profession in the first place.
Get Comfortable Being Out and About
Of course, a lot of your days will also be spent showing properties which is the aspect of the job that anyone who has ever purchased a home is most familiar with. But again, it's just one small part of a much larger story. Getting your start in real estate comes with the understanding that it's more of a far-reaching profession than most expect. The great real estate agent is part therapist, part negotiator and available to answer any questions that their clients may have. Hoping this helps. I’m always looking to bring value to our readers. If I can help you, please reach out on Instagram @kartikspics or call the office at 888 768 5285.
Love,
Kartik
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Frankly, Instagram has brought us a ton of new students. So many of our students enroll because they have seen social media posts from agents about how much money they make. Programs like Million Dollar Read more...
Frankly, Instagram has brought us a ton of new students. So many of our students enroll because they have seen social media posts from agents about how much money they make. Programs like Million Dollar Listing have contributed to this perception. While some of these stories are true and many agents do make a lot of money in our business, I wanted to write a quick article about things you should know before starting a career in real estate. I wrote a few pieces of advice - I thought the title was catchy - before anyone takes the first step in entering our business. You Are the Boss It may seem obvious, but people who have spent the majority of their lives working for a manager or supervisor are often surprised by how much discretion they have over their daily schedule. There aren’t any wake up calls in our business. No one complains if you show up 5 minutes late - or don’t show up at all. Worse yet, if you work for a “virtual brokerage” there might not be a person available to bounce ideas off of or to get advice from when you find yourself in a rut. When a decision needs to be made, you are often the person who has to be decisive and take action. You Need a Business Plan Being a self-employed person means that you need to come up with a business plan that provides a roadmap for your real estate business. How much money are you setting aside for marketing and advertising? How many transactions do you plan to close in a month, or in a year? Does your business plan call for you to work from a real estate office or work from home? How much time are you setting aside for your business if this is part-time work? In addition, you also need to understand your tax obligations. You will have to pay quarterly taxes and budget for this. You'll need to track your business income and deductions to ensure you pay enough every year. Most agents have a CPA or other tax advisor that they lean on regularly for this. It’s Useful To Have a Cash Reserve What social media posts and television rarely show are the slow periods. There will be a time when you don’t close anything and your pipeline isn’t progressing as quickly as you would like. This period can especially hold true for the brand new licensee that will have a minimum 90-day window to get a handle around the business. Always have at least a small cash reserve built up before starting, and keep adding to it little by little. By having a nest egg, you'll be able to weather slow periods and continue to build until you are at the point where you have a steady pipeline of closings. Your Schedule is Flexible... Sort Of It's true that you can work whenever you want. So if you are a night person who loves working at 2am because it is quiet and calm, you can do all your paperwork and get your online marketing accomplished during those hours. On the other hand, remember that you will have clients that can and will contact you at unpredictable times. A certain property may show up that a client wants to see right away and that showing may not have been “in your schedule” but you may feel the need to drop everything and pivot. If you become a residential real estate professional you will likely have clients that work 9-to-5 jobs. The only times they have to look at a house or arrange for a showing are evenings and on the weekends. Are you accounting for this in your plan? Somehow Differentiate Yourself from the Rest of the Pack You have a real estate license. That is an accomplishment not to be undermined. Remember, however, that you were in a full classroom of other people who also obtained their licenses. They’ll likely be working in the same neighborhoods as you. Additionally, you will also be competing against established, veteran Realtors which will be an even more competitive field. Establishing your personal brand and differentiating yourself is absolutely mission critical. Figure out what makes you unique, whether it is your marketing skills, market knowledge, or negotiating techniques. Then let people know about your skills so that they each out to you first. Start Your Real Estate Career Today Are you ready to make the move into real estate and gain the education you need to succeed? Visit our website to learn about how you can gain your license and start this exciting career. Side note - My intention with this article is not to discourage anyone from starting in our business. It’s simply to pepper a little bit of realism in the basket of fake Instagram and YouTube videos. I have many students that make into the 6 and 7 figures annually. It is possible, but everyone is looking for the secret sauce that’s going to make them successful. The truth is that there is no secret - it’s just hard work. Love, Kartik
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The Dream vs. The Delivery: A Reality Check
The "Real Estate Dream" is often sold as a low-risk side hustle. The pitch is enticing: get your license, work a few weekends, and pocket $15,000 commissions Read more...
The Dream vs. The Delivery: A Reality Check
The "Real Estate Dream" is often sold as a low-risk side hustle. The pitch is enticing: get your license, work a few weekends, and pocket $15,000 commissions while keeping your 9-to-5 safety net.
Here’s the truth I’ve seen after coaching thousands of students at ADHI Schools:
Real estate is a professional service, not a hobby.
The market rewards speed, availability, and consistency. Your current employer, however, also demands your focus. To bridge this gap, you don't need more "motivation"—you need a system.
Before you commit your time and money, you need to ask the fundamental question: Should You Become a Real Estate Agent in California? Success in part-time real estate only works if you can systemize around three specific conflicts:
Time, Responsiveness, and Lead Flow.
TL;DR: The Binary Decision
GO if: You have 15+ hours a week, a flexible day job for emergencies, and a 6-month financial cushion.
NO if: You cannot take calls during the day, have zero weekend availability, or need a commission check within 90 days to pay rent.
The Three Conflicts of Part-Time Real Estate
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Those considering a career in the real estate field are frequently drawn to the amount of money they can make on each property they sell. Each commission check can be upwards of $10,000, $20,000 or even Read more...
Those considering a career in the real estate field are frequently drawn to the amount of money they can make on each property they sell. Each commission check can be upwards of $10,000, $20,000 or even more. This is great for today because it means when you do work hard you will be rewarded handsomely. But what about tomorrow? What about when you get a little older or lose a little bit of that drive?
When you become a Realtor, it’s important to remember that you are in business for yourself and should have a solid financial plan in place that provides for your post-retirement needs. It's exciting to finish real estate school and obtain your real estate license. The early phase of your career is a time to build relationships, learn the trade, and earn money while you establish yourself as a professional. But it's always wise to remember that time waits for no man woman or Realtor. At that point, all your financial planning and regular saving will pay off in the form of a stable, secure retirement income.
What about retirement?
To be clear, there are a lot of great real estate salespeople and brokers that have absolutely no intention of ever retiring. But there’s a difference between wanting to work and having to work.
I think we can all agree that not having to actually show up at some place at some time and have money coming in and available to you would be a great thing.
With that said, many Realtors often wonder how secure their retirement will be. After all, if you become a Realtor and work for yourself then you'll need a financial plan in place to take care of your retirement years. Earning a real estate license is simply an early milestone in your career.
But what about life after real estate school and your sales career? You'll need to create the right kind of retirement plan for yourself. You can do this alone with some help from a CPA and Google or hire a financial planner to lay out the plan for you and keep you disciplined.
Here are some things to bear in mind when thinking about long-term financial security:
Consider investing in real estate.
Early in my career I heard brokers tell me “Kartik you have to become your best client.” Since then a stated goal of mine has been to buy one piece of real estate each and every year. Imagine over a 20 year career in our business owning 20 properties, each with a positive cash flow of just $200 per month. That amounts to $200 per month x 20 properties = $4,000 per month. Over time the values on these properties are quite likely to rise and the loans will eventually be paid off - adding to your wealth in retirement.
Of course in order to buy one property per year, you have to ensure that your income is sufficient to obtain financing - a solid real estate sales career will make this easier. Properly managed, a "nest egg" of real estate can be a smart way to diversify your retirement income resources.
There are other ways to set money aside in retirement funds:
You can opt to put money into a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, a solo 401(k) or a SEP IRA. All have their pros and cons that should be discussed with an appropriate professional. For example, traditional IRAs have no income limit but there is an annual contribution limit. If you pull finds out before retirement, there is a stiff penalty in most cases. Traditional IRAs are funded with your pre-tax earnings, so you'll get a nice deduction and lower your tax bill in most cases.
Roth IRAs are funded with your after-tax earnings, so you get no deduction right now. The upside to a Roth is that you can take out the contributed funds any time for any reason without paying a penalty. It's also possible to set up a solo 401(k) for yourself, even if you have no employees and work as a sole proprietor. Contributions come from your pre-tax earnings but there's currently a pretty high annual limit on what you can put in.
SEP IRAs are a little more complex but are a good option for real estate professionals who have a few employees. You can contribute up to 25 percent of your earnings but keep in mind that you have to do the same for each employee you have. If you withhold 10 percent, for example, from your earnings for the SEP IRA, you'll need to withhold 10 percent of each employees' earnings as well.
A one-hour consultation with a reputable financial planner can resolve most questions you have about which is the best kind of retirement savings plan for your particular situation.
It’s also important to remember that I’m not a financial planner and laws and rules can and do change. Make sure you’re planning properly and not relying on my blog alone to plan for your retirement. =)
Please call my office at 888 768 5285 or send me a message if I can be of service.
For information on real estate classes visit www.adhischools.com
Always looking to bring you value.
Love,
Kartik
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Obtaining a real estate license after passing the real estate exam is only the beginning of your career in our great real estate business. The next step (and in many ways the more important piece of the Read more...
Obtaining a real estate license after passing the real estate exam is only the beginning of your career in our great real estate business. The next step (and in many ways the more important piece of the puzzle) is to prospect for clients.
The high level question the must be asked and answered by the new agent is: What does a buyer or seller want in their Realtor? And next - How do I meet those needs?
Simply put - buyers and sellers are looking for a local real estate expert. Buyers want someone who knows what local restaurants are great, where the nightlife is, what schools are perfect for their kids, and what amenities are popular in the neighborhood.
Sellers, on the other hand, want a local Realtor who knows what the current and future market outlook is, what the comparable sales look like for the house when compared to other similar properties on the market, and at what price to market the home.
So how do you become a local real estate expert for your clients? Here are several strategies to implement once you finish your real estate courses and become a Realtor.
Go to Local Government Meetings and Chamber of Commerce Events
Government meetings and chamber of commerce events will play important factors on how you grow your business and connect to community members. You'll want to pay attention to any changes, regulations or votes coming up with the city council or planning commission that will impact the local real estate market. These meetings could discuss zoning regulations or upcoming development projects, for example. Information gathered at this event can allow you to better track the market and inform clients of developments that can affect the home buying or selling process.
I remember one friend of mine who was showing a high-rise condo to a buyer on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. The buyer found a home online that he wanted to see and reached out to the agent for a showing. Directly across the street was an empty parking lot that was in the early stages of being the site for a new high rise development. If approved, the new structure would have completely obscured the southern view from the living room and bedroom and would have also casted a dull shadow over the pool deck. The fact that the agent was plugged into the local planning commission and had actually attended some of the Homeowner Association meetings meant that he was in the know and ultimately able to advise the buyer on the proposed development. Surely a large building blocking your view that breaks ground shortly after the close of escrow would be a nightmare scenario for the uninformed buyer.
At chamber of commerce events, you can network with other businesses. You can learn about the roles these employers have in the community, and can share this information with buyers. It’ll also be a great chance to meet other entrepreneurs and refer business to one another.
Get Involved in Social Events and the Community
Prospective clients like to see that real estate agents are getting positively involved in local events. Whether it is partnering up with a local blood drive or volunteering time at an animal shelter, these tactics show that you want to invest your time and work in building a strong and welcoming community.
Also, attend social events such as festivals and get to know people. Shake hands with organizers and speak with the local residents. People will remember your friendly demeanor at the event as they will be inclined to speak positively about your real estate business with others.
There’s nothing wrong with telling people that you are in the process of obtaining your real estate license now and start building those relationships early. Of course, you won’t be able to do anything that would require a real estate license, but there aren’t any laws against getting to know people in the area.
Show You Are an Expert in Emails, Social Media and Personal Interactions
After taking real estate classes Los Angeles, you've gained the knowledge to help people with their real estate dreams. Yet you also have to show them that you are a local expert. You can do this through your correspondence, social media accounts and interactions with clients.
Once you get your license, you’ll need to define the areas where you’ll want to build your real estate practice. Study the properties in those areas and the overall market on sites like www.dqnews.com and in the Multiple Listing Service. Over time, you’ll get to know the types of properties in those areas, the number of certain residential properties (single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family structures). Also, you've gathered the data about recent home transactions, buyer trends, and average sales prices. Take all of this data and pepper it throughout your emails, newsletters and social media sites.
Drop in facts that will draw in a person's interest and convince them to take the next step in calling for your services. You want to impress them with the market insights that you've gathered as they will feel confident about your skills. In addition, you want to do the same at face-to-face meetings and appointments with clients. Showing people that you've done all the real estate homework will allow you to gain repeat business and positive reviews that will help your career.
By immersing yourself in community events, attending government meetings, and sharing your local expertise through social and other media, you can solidify your position as a top real estate expert in the local market. It’ll be easier to convert leads into real estate transactions by showing your in-depth knowledge about local market trends.
As always, please call my office at 888 768 5285 or visit our website for information on real estate classes online or in the classroom. If you are getting ready to prep for the real estate exam and you need a real estate crash course click here.
Always looking to bring you value.
Love,
Kartik
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It’s Saturday and I’m at a local coffee shop banging away on the keyboard. I like working on stuff like this on Saturday and Sundays. It’s quiet. Yes i have a few people in the office today, Read more...
It’s Saturday and I’m at a local coffee shop banging away on the keyboard. I like working on stuff like this on Saturday and Sundays. It’s quiet. Yes i have a few people in the office today, but it’s nothing like the sometimes pandemonium associated with a weekday. I wanted to write a quick article about why weekends matter to the entrepreneur because it’s not hard to argue that there’s never been a better time to start your own business. Between the ability to reach a large audience and access to technology, individual people with great ideas and a solid work ethic have a better chance to succeed in today's market. However, that does not make success an easy thing to achieve. Statistics indicate that around 62% of adults think that becoming an entrepreneur can be an excellent career. When you break down those numbers, though, you'll find that nearly 50% think they themselves are equipped to become an entrepreneur and 40% believe it's easy. Let's just cut to the chase — the people who think it's easy are mistaken. Ask any entrepreneur who has even a modicum of success and they have likely taken ridiculous risks and worked very hard to make their baby fly. Notwithstanding those “entrepreneurs” who have “Phds”. If you're wondering, a PhD means “Papa Has Dough”. For the most part, I’m not talking about those who had a family member give them money to “start their own thing”. I’m talking about the real entrepreneurs who started from nothing and actually built something great. Entrepreneurship sounds like a great business because Instagram and other social media outlets inundate us with information about the benefits of being self-employed. Some of this propaganda includes an excitement about the work you're doing, the ability to make a living doing the things you love and being your own boss. What you might not be aware of is that small business owners often work longer much longer hours than their employees. At least they do if they're building a successful business. I'm not totally complaining about the glamour that the Internet has put on the business of real estate. It's helped push lots of people to enroll in our real estate license school and pass the real estate exam. Still, it's important to remember that there is only so much time in a day and time is your most valuable commodity. This is why many entrepreneurs work every day and set their schedules so that they can optimize the time when they're working. If you have a great idea and are launching your business, here are some reasons you should consider working weekends.
Why Entrepreneurs Don't Follow the Typical Weekend Schedules
For a typical employee, there are set number of days where work is required and specified days off. The most common model by far is Monday through Friday, 9-5. This may vary but, for the most part, Saturday and Sunday are days off to catch up on personal errands or spend time with family and friends. These are the reset days for the typical working world. For an entrepreneur, taking these days off completely may not be possible if they want their business to thrive. Because the rest of the businesses they deal with are likely closed on one or both of those days, the weekend becomes a fantastic time for entrepreneurs to catch up, refocus, and innovate. This doesn't mean that you have to work around the clock to run a successful business. In fact, doing that can easily lead to burnout. A work/life balance is important for healthy relationships outside of your career. But most entrepreneurs do find ways to use their hours creatively to improve their productivity. This might mean taking downtime on a weekday so that you can work through the weekend. It might also mean working part of the day on a weekend so that you can participate in social events around your work schedule.
Benefits to Using Weekends for Work Time
There are a few reasons that entrepreneurs work through many of their weekends. Here are a few benefits to working through other peoples' downtime:
• Fewer Distractions.
Working on a weekend allows you more time to focus uninterrupted. This is true whether you're a business owner or work on a team. Because your clients and other professionals usually don't work on Saturday or Sunday, you won't have to spend time fielding calls from clients, attending conference calls, or attending to different things that might pop up during a regular business day. This gives you the uninterrupted time you need to focus on a single task.
• Time to Plan.
Weekdays tend to fly by with many demands and few chances to catch up. This is especially true for small business owners who often take charge of multiple aspects of their company. With the rest of the world off the clock, the weekend gives you time to assess your previous week. You can check to make sure you've stayed on schedule with assigned tasks (and catch up on tasks you didn't get to). This time is also a great way to plan ahead for the following week. If you choose a day over the weekend to plan and assess your progress every week, you'll be more likely to keep your benchmarks in mind and achieve short term and long term goals.
• Less Rigid Schedule.
Working on weekends doesn't have to feel like you never get a day off. You don't necessarily have to work from the office and you can even plan your hours to suit your mood. I’m sitting in a coffee shop right now with my laptop and a latte. It feels little less like work when I’m in a pair of Jordan’s and jeans as opposed to a suit and tie.
There Are Down Sides, Too
Successful entrepreneurs build their businesses to a large degree because they've put in the work and effort. That does come with sacrifices. While it's true that many small business owners use weekend hours to help them get ahead, that doesn't mean it's always easy. For lots of us including myself the work is something we love and are excited about. We often enjoy putting in long hours and have a sense of pride and purpose in what we are doing. However, that doesn't mean it's always easy to spend your Saturdays and Sundays working when the rest of the world is getting that time to take care of their personal needs. Here are a few negative points to working weekends that you should be prepared to navigate:
• Loved Ones May Not Understand.
If your significant other is on the “regular” world schedule, they may not understand the long hours you put in at your company and it can lead to arguments.
• Most Personal/Social Obligations Are On Weekends.
This is especially true if you have children but even single people will find their social calendar is mostly full of events on weekends.
• You Miss Out On Some Great Events.
It's not all about obligations. Working those hours also means you'll miss out on fun events that you'd enjoy attending. A football game in the middle of a Sunday might be something that is playing on the TV or online in the background as opposed to you being able to physically attend the game. Building a thriving business means working longer hours than you would as an employee. That's simply a truth. Weekends offer you hours to catch up and get ahead of your competition. I’m always looking to bring you value. If there is anything I can do to help, please reach out on Instagram or call the office at 888 768 5285. If you are interested in becoming a real estate agent, please call me or my team. We are happy to be of service.
Love,
Kartik
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Are you thinking about enrolling in real estate license courses? If so, your first thought may be whether or not now is a good time to start.
How’s the market doing?
A career in real estate can Read more...
Are you thinking about enrolling in real estate license courses? If so, your first thought may be whether or not now is a good time to start.
How’s the market doing?
A career in real estate can be very rewarding and it all starts with the right real estate school. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the demand for real estate agents and brokers will grow by 7 percent from 2018 through 2028, a rate that’s faster than average for all job growth.
Demand is out there for well-qualified, dedicated agents willing to learn the industry from the ground up.
Should You Enter a Career in Real Estate?
Timing Is Everything
Those wondering if they should become a REALTOR often ask themselves whether now is the right time based on market conditions. The short answer is that while your initial timing can matter remember that getting your license now can open the door for years, no matter how the market swings in the short term.
Here are some answers to common questions:
#1: What Is the Market Like?
The real estate market grows and expands on a consistent basis. There are times when market activity can and does cool like back in 2008 and 2009. However, the current market remains robust with the possibility of ongoing appreciation.
Put that aside for one moment, though. Remember that people are always buying and selling real estate no matter what the market does. Keep in mind that there are always consumers looking for their first home or to downsize after the kids move out. There are always new developments and opportunities. In other words, there is always the need for a qualified real estate agent.
#2: But Is The Economy Slipping?
While there are valid concerns over how long the economy will continue to grow at its current rate remember that transactions happen in all economic conditions. More so, many people move into real estate investing when the stock or other markets begins to decline. I talked briefly about this in an earlier article.
That’s because real estate is viewed as a safer and more tangible investment for some. This also creates opportunities for individuals looking to grow their career.
#3: Are Houses Selling Today?
The answer here is “yes” as well. More so, in the long term, there will be an even higher demand for homes. I don’t think anyone believes that the population is going to decrease throughout the United States any time soon.
The current economic climate has helped push home values high. A combination of low interest rates and high demand have sent prices soaring in many areas.
In some areas, they are simply out of reach for some buyers. As home prices begin to slow their rate of growth, they will become in reach for more consumers, especially those looking to buy their first home. Homes are selling and will continue to sell.
Starting a Career in Real Estate - Is It Right for You?
People will always be buying and selling homes. Demand will ebb and flow. Real estate agents committed to providing a high quality of service to their clients will continue to see significant demand for their services. Your buyers be might everyday consumers looking for their first home as home prices fall. Or, you may be able to work hand-in-hand with investors who are looking for good deals. Real estate classes help you prepare for every market condition, too.
If you:
• Enjoy real estate and looking at homes and buildings
• Love helping people
• Like to negotiate
• Want the flexibility of working on your own schedule
• Want unlimited income potential
A career in real estate could be right for you. You can meet the California real estate license requirements though our real estate school in as little as 54 days and start taking advantage of the current market climate. Once you establish yourself, there’s no telling how the market will work in your favor.
A shameless plug, ADHI Schools is the number one real estate school in California. We can walk you through the pros and cons of being a real estate agent.
Call us at 888 768 5285 or visit adhischools.com to pass your real estate exam the first time.
Love,
Kartik
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A little different type of blog from me this time. I wanted to write something for those that have already finished our real estate license courses and are working in the field. I was browsing some listings Read more...
A little different type of blog from me this time. I wanted to write something for those that have already finished our real estate license courses and are working in the field. I was browsing some listings on theMLS recently and was horrified at some of the pictures agents were uploading but even worse was of the copy used to describe the listings. Problems with syntax, punctuation and tense were not uncommon. If you have a listing now or are going to take one soon, I would recommend making sure your ad copy is extra tight. Remember that besides pictures, the ad copy is the most important part of your listing marketing material. There are really no hard and fast rules for writing real estate ad copy, but guidelines exist to help you capture reader attention and generate responses. The goal is to highlight enough desirable features to prompt an online visitor to click through to the full listing, or to prompt a reader to call for additional information. The prime directive is to avoid the temptation to "oversell." Use superlatives in moderation and be sparing when including value judgments in your descriptions. Remember that only one home can be the "best value" in a neighborhood, and even that is subjective to the point that it has little meaning to a prospective buyer. Readers tend to gloss over phrases like value-priced, priced to sell and won't last long. Common terms like amenity-filled, chef's kitchen, memorable views, and stunning architecture are overused and ineffective. The goal is to be descriptive in a manner that is meaningful, while still leaving something to the imagination so that the reader wants to know more.
Writing Real Estate Copy 101
Writing ad copy that gets results isn't difficult, but it can require thought. Here are specific elements you can employ to make your efforts more effective.
First, define your target audience:
Online property descriptions will have a different focus, and a different tone, than a printed brochure or an open house handout. But all copy should include, at minimum, a headline or title. It might be as simple as the property address; however, if you can use a catchy descriptive phrase, do so. Something like "Come Home to a View of the Ninth Hole" would appeal to someone looking for golf course property. Then, add gas to the fire of imagination: Place yourself in the potential buyer's shoes and provide a "hook" that makes them want to continue reading. Focus on the lifestyle that can be theirs if they move into the home. "Enjoy a refreshing cool drink on your expansive poolside patio as you look forward to your next tee time at the award-winning course adjacent to your property." A brief description of the overall appeal of the community and the home's general description can be included here. It can be as brief as you wish, or it might run to several paragraphs, depending on actual space and your purpose. Say something like: "This 3-bedroom, 4-bath, 3-car garage contemporary offers everything necessary for living the good life -- privacy, convenience to schools, shopping and entertainment, an easy commute to the business center, and abundant leisure time enjoyment options with neighbors and friends." Finally, highlight the most important home features: This is where you should strive to paint meaningful word pictures. Be descriptive, but not overly detailed. Leave some specifics out. You might say something like "Old-world craftsmanship is evident in the finishes used throughout the home's 4,200 square feet, especially in the fine wood paneling and bookshelves of the home's private office." Or, you can point to the evidence of upscale options and trendy finishes that "include an eco-friendly, sustainable choice of recycled glass countertops in the kitchen, low-VOC paint throughout, and main-level flooring crafted from reclaimed timbers." Whatever you write in words is always better when accompanied by professional photographs that graphically illustrate the same features. It's not necessary to include a book's worth of photos, but words and pictures are better when they go hand in hand. There is little more disheartening for a prospective buyer than to read a glowing description of a home spa retreat only to find that there is no photograph of the space included with the listing or in the brochure. Coordinate your efforts with your photographer and your marketing team. Keywords and Buzzwords Define your potential market. Imagine what prospective buyers would type in to an online property search: Don't simply toss around phrases like "high-end finishes, family-friendly neighborhood, or spectacular views." Instead, utilize popular keywords to generate interest, adding filters and qualifiers as needed, such as the city or subdivision. Examples include:
• Beachside Cottage
• Ski Retreat
• Urban Condo
• City Lights
• Mountain Views
• Polished Wood Flooring
• Gated Community
Know Your Market
The copy you write about a high-end home will naturally be different from the copy that describes a mid-price starter home, but the same principles apply. However, don't make the mistake -- in either case -- of believing that buyers on one end of the price spectrum are any less concerned about quality and value, energy savings and sustainability, style and safety, or built-in features and community amenities. Make every effort to describe a lifestyle rather than listing specific features. Weave specifics into general descriptions of rooms and spaces. While studies have confirmed that online readers appreciate skimmable copy and bullet points, lists can be overused. Typically, 8 to 10 bullet points are sufficient. Always stop short of making your property description simply a "laundry list" of features. To write meaningful copy, acknowledge that there are some home features that should be specifically mentioned:
• A backyard pool, because it can be either a selling point or a deal killer, depending on the buyer;
• An eat-in kitchen;
• Ensuite baths for each bedroom; • A detached garage, casita or other type of auxiliary building;
• Specialty spaces, including an exercise room, home theater or media room, finished attic, in-law or au pair quarters; and oversize lots or adjacent acreage or public land.
• Solar panels, or alternative energy provisions, including 240V electric car charging stations. Use your in-depth knowledge of the local market to determine what other features deserve mention, knowing that your decision might vary substantially from one neighborhood to the next, and even from one season to another. Monitor reactions and responses you receive, and adjust the way you write your next property description based on the feedback offered by clients. Finally, never forget to include your contact and broker information (along with Department of Real Estate license number) and a call to action. You never know who will become your next client, or when and how they will appear. Ensure that you can be reached by anyone in need of your services! Of course if there’s anything I can do for you, including helping you get started in our real estate license courses, please let me know or call 888 768 5285.
Love,
Kartik
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Once you complete our real estate school and pass the real estate exam you’ll be out on your own to start your career. Hopefully you’ll be ready to land your first client and take home a big commission! Read more...
Once you complete our real estate school and pass the real estate exam you’ll be out on your own to start your career. Hopefully you’ll be ready to land your first client and take home a big commission! =) After doing well on your real estate license exam, you'll get your desk set up with your broker and start working some leads. You’re probably going to start reaching out to your sphere of influence and let them know you’ve started a real estate career. As a newer real estate professional, the goal should always be to compress the time between finishing real estate school and cashing your first commission check. To this end, I wanted to write a quick article exposing some bad habits that real estate agents can develop if they’re not careful. Remember That Self-Employment Is Vastly Different From a 9-5 A self-employed person is solely responsible for his or her workday. In the real estate industry, it’s a common misnomer that once you pass your real estate exam, you’ll have leads pouring in and homes to sell. That’s not what happens. Instead, you need to work to create your own business. This often means spending time daily working to drum up business, cultivate leads, market, and respond to internet inquiries. Here are a few of the bad habits real estate agents create that virtually prevent them from becoming a successful Realtor quickly. You’re Doing "Busy" Work You’ve ordered business cards. You cleaned up your desk. You have talked to a dozen other agents today about what’s going on in their business and personal life. You may have even touched up your LinkedIn profile and posted a picture of the salad you had for lunch on Instagram. All of these “tasks” might feel necessary but the bigger question is what did you ignore by doing these things? Are you prospecting for buyer and seller leads? Are you following up on existing ones? In short, it’s easy to “feel busy” without actually building your pipeline, which ultimately cuts into your income. You’re Frustrated with Your Workday There are a dozen calls you have to make today for various reasons. Each one of them could be a lead. Perhaps you have some really good leads, but there’s so much on your plate to do right now that you miss those key opportunities to connect. You’re in and out of the office, forgetting appointments, and not seeing the kids. And, you thought this career was flexible? This is a common concern. The problem is that without any oversight into your activities and a consistent schedule, it’s easy to lose track of what’s important. To be successful as a real estate agent, you have to be organized. You also have to create a schedule that works for you and stick with it. This discipline is actually the key to freedom. Make time to plan for every task that matters during your course of the day. Remember - The number one calendar item is prospecting. Other Bad Habits Costing You Your Career After completing real estate school, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Here are more of the common bad habits agents have: You aren’t communicating with your prospective clients fast enough. This is especially true for internet leads. Speed to contact makes a big difference in results. Make every client believe that they are your most important client. Work to return calls as quickly as possible. Try and email back as fast as you can. Failing to marketing adequately. If you’re not seen in the local industry, you’re unknown to prospective clients. Make marketing a component of your day, every day. Remember that there are over 400,000 real estate licensees in California alone - You have to make noise to stand out! You’re not looking as professional as you should be. Consumers expect agents to look professional at all times. If you look disheveled, that could indicate you’re less organized and not “with it.” Not updating your website or social media accounts in quite some time. Remember, if you haven't posted in a year people will wonder whether or not you are still in business. Send a contract to be signed electronically and tell the client to sign without explaining what they are signing. Being "too busy" to call other agents back. Working 24/7 and not taking care of your health. Getting paid your commission and not setting aside money for taxes. If you finished at our Orange County real estate school don't forget that this is only the beginning. As Warren Buffett says "The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken." The best way to break bad habits is to avoid them in the first place. For information on getting a real estate license, call us at 888 768 5285. Love, Kartik
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