I started real estate a little over a year and half ago. The market was good or so I thought, because I did not know it to be any other way. I have found ways to "survive" when things are slow.
1. BPO - Broker Price Opinions - I am sure everyone has heard of these, I had not! It took me months and months to email and get on the lists of banks to do "their BPO's" - no one wants to "share" things with people, so I had to self taught........ I am willing to share if you are interested. I purchased a book, and then just went on line and registered with 100's of companies - I now have a nice database of BPO purveyors, that I work with. They pay from $40 to $125 for a BPO. You can usually negotiate a fee to if necessary.
2. Mobile Notary Services - I got my notary seal, and started advertising Notary Services, banks, love to send a "notary" to a refi rather than an attorney. The documents are emailed or overnighted to me and I go to a closing, about 1 hour, and "witness the signatures" - I offer no advise, and if there is a problem I call the lender. These fee's range from $75 to $150 per closing. Everyone says to me, "I never charge for notarizing something" - and neither do I, not for family, friends or neighbors. But as a business entitty I charge. Someone needs something notarized on a weekend, or holiday, I will travel to their home and do it for a fee.
3. Hook up with a lender, title company, appraiser, home inspector, attorney, and advertise together. I set up a web site, "Shop Under One Roof" - I persuaded local service providers to join my site for a nominal fee, this way they would get referrals from me. I sell a house, and I tell my buyer's go to my site to see where to find "local service providers" - people that I have known for years, who are willing to "take care of you" - New to an area, this is soooo important! Who do you call?? Word of mouth or my website. I need home inspector, appraiser, title company, cleaning services........... call me to join today or go to my website and send application!
Testimonials:
DiRoma Roofing, Frank DiRoma, I got 4 jobs, for roofing, windows, and siding from advertising on this site. Call me today for information, I was shocked!
Seacoast Mortgage, Ann Sabbagh: I got 6 loans from Sandy Bliven, Re/Max South County
MLS Properties. Laurie and Mark Charpentier: I received Rental referrals and clean out services from this website
Lifestyle Interier: I cannot mention all the clients that I got from advertising with Sandy Bliven's Networking Concierge Services
Eastern Bank, Laurie Lisi, Sandy's website gave me leads for 3 loans in the last 4 months!
Call me if you would like to join my networking services! Everything works and nothing doesn't!
;)
Links;)
Tags (Tag Cloud);)
Archives
Great ideas....and they will carry through to a better market, as well. Scratching out a living is a character builder, I am told. I think that all of us are "character built" at this time and I am glad that the market is finally turning up.
JimG