How To Become A Local Real Estate Expert

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