How to Sell Real Estate on a Tight Budget

Someone posted about this topic on the Active Rain Linked In group. I'd thought I should chime in here about my experience since I started selling real estate back in 2003.

When I first started real estate, there were no intentions of serving real estate consumers. We only did it for us, because we read the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series, talking about getting out of the Rat Race. Real estate was the vehicle we chose to do it with.

Later, friends in our group started buying their first homes. Because we bought ours 8 months after I graduated college, they also knew I had a real estate license, I ended up becoming their agent. I sold real estate part time back in 2003. I closed about 5-6 deals a year back in my part time days. That was good enough for me. It was better than working every weekend at Walmart, so I thought.

Fast forward 2007, I began my career in full time real estate. My husband and I ran this business on cash only with no debt. At the same time, I joined Active Rain in December, the month before, thinking that it will be a great place for me to feel "connected" to other human beings since Active Rain was my outlet.

I was with a small boutique real estate company. Even the broker had another full time job. So, Active Rain was truly my only place I spoke to others about my new found passion: Real Estate.

I started keeping an online journal on Active Rain. I didnt know what blogging was about. Definitely didnt know the power it sat on. Every once a while, I wrote about some communities I serve.

The following month (February), I got my first phone call as the result of my blogging. $700K buyer. Nope, I didnt close that one, but it was the beginning of my taste on what blogging can do for my business.

Back in 2007 - 2009, I had more time than money. I created a wealth of real estate articles. I blogged EVERYDAY for the next 5 years until 2012 when I just couldnt keep up my daily blogging.

But quite honestly, it's been my only single reason I am what I am today.

The articles I wrote from years ago is still "working" for me. I still am viewed as the expert in so many areas, so much so that today, I'm able to bless another agent by sponsoring her and passing on leads to her so she can grow her business.

Back in 2010, we've saved enough finances that we were able to market differently: Diversification as they call it. Becoming city sponsors in major events and adding direct mail to our marketing. Some agents didnt think postcards is a good idea, but for me - it works. It's a great combination of writing articles in community newsletters, advertising in the newsletters, Facebook presence on the community as well as my postcard mailers. There is no reason why they would not call me when they think about selling.

I can do all these "expensive" marketing because I started with a "tight" budget back when I had more time than money.

So, for those newer or struggling agents and ever wonder if things can be rosy for you, look at me as a humbling example. It's as simple as picking up the Daily cross of Blogging. You must also have more patience than you ever intended for this endevour.

I wish you very much success in 2013.

PS: I'm keeping this as a Public post in hopes that this hope can reach more people.

Read also my latest article: Create an Annual Blogging Plan.

Content & Photography Copyright © 2012 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
How to Sell Real Estate on a Tight Budget