My Niche is Canyon Creek Subdivision in NW Austin
This month in Active Rain the membership has been offered some excellent challenges! It’s good for us to examine our business concepts and take stock if we’re practicing the type of business best suited to our talents and gifts. In real estate we run our own business so from day one need to make a decision on who we want to work with and what part of the industry is best suited to us. One of the challenges this month by Evelyn Johnston Setting Yourself Apart - A Niche Contest forces us to evaluate our business plan to make sure we are headed in the right direction for our individual business. We need to focus on what sets us apart from the pack.
WHAT DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?
What a great question to ask and one I asked myself 23 years ago after I got my feet wet in Real Estate. I made the conscientious decision to Geographical farm the community my husband and I built our home in NW Austin in Canyon Creek . I observed other successful agents who farmed communities and quickly learned it’s a powerful way to ensure a steady and sustainable long term income.
I learned I'll never have all the business and don’t want all of it. I can afford to be choosy to uphold my standards and values. Consistency, visibility and offering something of value is the key to my successful real estate marketing plan. I established myself as the “Go to Realtor” and developed relationships with the residents. They learned I am the trusted resource. I've trained them to choose me over my competition.
Activities I’ve undertaken to be successful in my chosen area:
#1. Developed a realistic marketing plan and a set of measurable goals for the whole year. I researched and made sure my target area supported my projections.
#2. Learned everything about my community: schools, style of homes, who were the builders, what is the history, what is the tax rate, who is the service providers...Knowledge is power…..know it backwards and forward.
#3. Educated myself on the make-up of the community residents and participate in
activities and developed relationships as the “Go to Realtor” and trusted adviser
#4. I found it important to learn the turnover rate in my community
#5. Found out the percentage of renters in my community, it's beneficial information
#6. Created market reports and post them monthly on my blog, Facebook, Linked In, etc. and deliver a quarterly report to all residents
#7. Scheduled activities to put myself interacting and in front of as many residents as possible – I volunteer at the school, sponsor activities for the community. I work my sphere constantly and genuinely try and make a difference in the quality of their lives
#8. Created a list of vendors (like Angie’s list) - this allows me to be the go to person to provide answers to resident’s questions. What do they need? I supply it for them!! I provide sold information for residents to fight their county appraisals.
#9. Created an e-newsletter providing residents with local information that affects them... something of value…not a brag sheet for my accomplishments
#10. Provide a website for the community
#11. Mail out Just Listed, Pending and SOLD post cards with market information is something I always do...as Barbara Todaro says “Market like you Mean it!”
#12. Mail and deliver yearly calendars in November
#13. Post on my Blog and utilize social media. I’m always looking for ways to get my name out. I create Pinterest Boards to allow residents to learn more about me and my interests
#14. Highlight local business owners who live in your community by blogging about them as well as the successes of local student achievements
#15. Create videos on our community and place on Facebook and my blog
#16. Whatever I’m doing I am consistent in reaching my target market
I take to heart two important quotes:
PEOPLE DON’T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE! Theodore Roosevelt
REAL ESTATE IS NOT A PASSIVE SPORT…..YOU MUST BE ACTIVE Teresa Recar
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