I am proud to say it. I am a Niche Marketer! I am no longer like a kid in a candy store! I do not need to look at rows upon rows of candy. Never thought I would ever see the day that I specialized. But I do and am dang glad I am!
I market FARMLAND. I auction farm land. And that is all I auction. I specialize!!
Crop ground...cornfields...wheat fields...bean fields...tillable farm land acres or pasture. Not 10 acre houses with a patch of tomatoes.
Preferably without any house on it. In fact, if it has a house and less than 50 acres...I am pretty sure I will shy away from it most of the time.
It was not really intentional on my part years ago...it just kind of happened. I had the chance to sell a small farm and enjoyed who I was working with...which lead to some larger farms and now most listings and buyers I work with are farmers or investors.
I do not need a lockbox...or permission to set a showing time...or worry about letting the cat out. Or agent that cannot be found. Or dirty dishes in the sink or a tenant sleeping in the bedroom...you know the drill.
That is me. Mike McCann the Farm Land Man
I refer all other types of business to Brokers that I trust.
I referred a home buyer yesterday to the Broker I send home buyers and sellers to. We sat down and I introduced the buyer to the Broker and exchanged pleasantries and ideas and info for about 10 minutes and then I excused myself.
She loves showing homes...loves working with buyers...and that is who I want working with my buyers. Her niche and my niche compliment each other nicely.
She enjoys the process of working with the lender and inspector(s). Her husband is a builder and he will go along and give the buyer suggestions on repairs or remodels if they want.
This client is originally from Japan and he wants as much input as possible. A win for both of us Brokers and for the buyer. He is a Professor at the college that my son works with...and this will probably lead to leads for the Builder. Another win.
My suggestion is to narrow down what type of real estate you really like and concentrate on it and market to it. There is no way you can market homes, land, commercial, leases, rentals, etc., and do it well.
Same goes for the Area. Narrow it down unless you are willing to drive a lot to be seen. I have folks back in my hometown who think I moved back there because they see me a couple of times a week...I live 65 miles away. I am willing to drive. That is an easy hour drive for me...less time than driving across most cities.
If it is a price range you want to work in...then pick one that has market volume and inventory turnover and good commissions.
It takes the same amount of paperwork to sell a $150,000 property as a $250,000 one but the wages are way better on the 2nd one. Same goes for $450k versus $250K.
Find one or two brokers you can refer to and get them great leads and referrals. If they drop the ball...find a different one.
It is that simple.
My goal is to never sell another home that I do not own in my career. My other goal is to be active for another 15 years.
I am not (YET) the largest land Broker around but my name is quickly rising towards the top tier. None of the other brokers are my competitors...they are just other Brokers trying to make a living. That is how I look at it anyway.
All of this happened after I decided to quit dabbling in all areas of the business. I like selling farms and working with the farmers. And being close to the land. I love the dirt.
That is me. Mike McCann the Farm Land NICHE Man!!
(this blog was an entry into a contest sponsored by Evelyn Johnston)
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