Lead Generation - 5 Steps to More Listings

In any real estate office you will find a few agents who are truly making a fortune selling real estate and a majority that try as they might are just scraping by. “Why is this the case?”, you might ask when all in the office have access to the same tools the same inventory and by-in-large are working in the same market place. Simply put, “its marketing”. Some grasp the importance of marketing themselves as well as their clients and do it better than others. Do you want to attract more listings? You can. Focus on the following: Lead Generation – 5 Steps to More Listings.
1. Embrace the internet: That sounds obvious, and it is, however there is probably nothing more misused in the real estate market than the internet. The correct viewpoint is “online marketing”. For example: I often see agents spending hundreds if not thousands on that impressive website, sitting back and waiting for those motivated buyers and sellers to take action. The reality is they will never find the website because nothing is driving traffic to it. It is true that more than 80% of buyers and sellers begin their search for a home or an agent online, but if you haven’t mastered some basic online marketing and lead generation, for you, it is all for naught.
2. Specialize: Set your focus on the market that best fits your comfort zone, area of expertise, performance goals and market demand. Some may say “ find your niche”. For example I have some agents who are very successful in the high-end market others in the median and still others in the low-end  foreclosure and investment markets. The key is to find the area you excel in and put your eggs in that basket and generate leads.
3. Farm: Farming is a huge part of Specialization and lead generation. Focusing your marketing efforts on a geographical area within your niche creates market presence. You cannot dominate all market areas and leave your competition in the dust, but you can dominate your farming area. You can be the go-to agent in your niche. How?
4. Cultivate: Just as a farmer cultivates his field, plows and tills, fertilizes and plants all before harvesting, so you cultivate your market area, rather it be a neighborhood, a price range or a market segment. Door hangers, new listings and solds in the area all on your marketing material, a neighborhood website with valuable content and opt-in opportunities for reports, updates and newsletters all serve to place you in the minds and hearts of the motivated buyer or seller.
5. Repeat: The secret to marketing and lead generation is consistency. Marketing to your niche or farm keeps the cost in check and is far more effective. Count on 14-16 pieces of marketing before the client commits your name and face to memory. This is called “Top of Mind”. Once there, you are the first call when a need arrises.
As a real estate Broker and internet marketer my focus is always on what is most effective. That being said, listings are the obvious focus. One: because regardless of who buys you share in the commission and two: you will generate more buyers than virtually any other means.
Yes lead generation – 5 steps to more listing is just a beginning, but with a laser focus on marketing to your specialized niche, driving internet traffic, being consistent and repetitive with your marketing pieces and concentrating on listings, you are sure to “meet with uncommon success in common hours”.
Thomas White is an internet coach and mentor dedicated to helping other achieve financial freedom leveraging the online market. To see his methods of creating an automated and thriving online business or how you can leverage the internet to send your existing business through the roof visit: http://www.ithriving.com

Things to Consider When Searching for a Home.

Things to Consider When Searching for a Home.

Before deciding which house to buy, think about your lifestyle, your current and anticipated housing needs, and your budget. It’s a good idea to create a prioritized list of features you want in your next home – you'll soon discover finding the right house involves striking a balance between your "must-haves" and your "nice-to-haves." To start, consider your lifestyle. If you love to cook, you'll want a well-equipped kitchen. If you're into gardening, you'll want a yard. If you're planning your office at home, you may want a room for a separate library or work space. If you have several cars, you may require a larger garage. Use this list as your search guide. Next, think about what you might need in the future. As you consider your housing needs, it's important to consider how long you may live in your home. If you're newly married, you might not be concerned with a school district right now, but you could be in a few years. If you have aging parents, you may want to look at homes that offer living arrangements for them as well as you. It’s important to think about your new home’s location just as carefully as you do about a house’s features. Location is a huge part of any move. In addition to considering the distance to work, you need to evaluate the availability of shopping, police and fire protection, medical facilities, school and day-care, traffic and parking, trash and garbage collection, even recreational facilities. Perhaps the most important decision is deciding on the type of home you want. Do you want a condominium or a co-op? A town house or a detached single-family home? Do you want brick, stone, stucco, wood, vinyl siding, or something else? Do you prefer a new home or an older one? Through all of this, make sure to talk to your real estate professional about where you want to live. While more buyers now use the Internet to gain access to listings, or available properties for sale, it is still a good idea to use an agent. The agent brings value to the entire process: he or she is available to analyze data, answer questions, share their professional expertise, and handle all the paperwork and legwork that is involved in the real estate transaction. CENTURY 21 Gold professionals have the expertise to help their clients narrow down their choices by sharing market trends and local information.

Spring Time is fast Approaching

Spring Time is fast approaching. Time to start thinking about those "Honey-do's". Here's a few tips to help make things a little easier:

1. Look around the house, in the closets, attic, garage and basement. Apply the one year rule. If you haven't used it, opened it, worn it in the past year, think about getting rid of it. Try starting a garage sale box, or perhaps donating the items to Goodwill.

2. Check the flower beds. Do they need fresh mulch? Pull those weeds and prepare the soil for the coming warm months. Try adding a splash of color with some beautiful blooming flowers. It's a great way to freshen up the entrance way. It makes a great impression to potential buyers when they first pull up to your home.

3. Think about cleaning the gutters. No telling what all is trapped in them from the winter. Just be careful and make sure you have someone steady the ladder. Always a great idea to have someone around, just in case.

4. Try pressure cleaning the wooden deck or fence. Once it is dry, try applying some wood sealer and weather protectant. Thompson's has always worked well for me.

Honey-do's don't have to be a chore. En-list the help of all family members and make a day of it. Maybe even plan the first backyard picnic with your family. It's a great way to keep the lines of communication open and draw families closer together.