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Ask An Ambassador: Survive or Thrive?

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Real estate agents cover the entire spectrum, from those "dabbling" in the business with almost no completed deals in a year to those doing 100s (or more?) in a year.

Single agents to couples and small agent teams to humongous teams across multiple states, there's a model for success for however you want to practice real estate.

As an agent you can fail outright, do just enough to survive, or thrive.

What's the difference?

A large contributor is how you understand (or not) your LOCAL market.

Too often people (consumers and agents alike) relay on real estate reports that either focus on national trends, or paint the entire market based on a few select high population markets. 

While there's value in knowing national trends, real estate is local, and sometimes VERY local.

 A home on THIS side of a school district line may be worth significantly more than a home on THAT side of a school district line.

A home with a view of the woods or lake or valley or.... beats a home that looks right into the neighbor's kitchen.

Homes in communities that are economically supported by ONE major employer ebb and flow with the fortunes of the employer.  A 1000 jobs can be gone with a quick announcement of a plant closing. 

Understanding your market presents the opportunity to better focus your marketing.


Where are houses in demand? 

What type of homes? 

What price point?

What are the demographics for consumers matching those homes?

Understand and focus.

If my market is retirees, posting Tik Tok videos might not be the best means of getting in front of them.

Is direct mail to first time home buyers optimal?

Which market segments prefer video vs written?  It's worth knowing because blogging may not work for your desired target market.

Understand your potential clients' needs and provide what they want in the format they want (not the one YOU want to do).

Doing so may be the difference between just surviving in this business and thriving in this business.

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help!

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

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Comments(13)

Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Zig ziglar always said you will never get anywhere as a wandering Generality . You must become a Meaningful Specific !

Feb 21, 2023 07:29 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

The flip side of being niche driven is people thinking you can't do the "general" stuff.   Nope, we CAN sell your home even if it isn't a patio home!

Feb 21, 2023 07:49 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

This is a great question. During the downturn in 08-09, I asked myself the same question. As I watched hundreds of real estate agents leave the business, I was determined to thrive, which I thankfully did.

Feb 21, 2023 07:45 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'm pretty close to the 20 year mark in the business and have seen many agents leave the business.  I sometimes wonder how many of us are left from my real estate classes?  I'm currently finishing a deal with one of those other students from the same time :)

Feb 21, 2023 07:50 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Great advice - understanding your market is key- and like you said, tailoring marketing to the format THEY want to see not what you want to do 

Feb 21, 2023 07:45 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I know there are segments that are video driven.  Not my strength.  I can whip out a blog post in 20 minutes give or take a little.  A video takes me forever to edit.  For me, if I'm looking for information I usually prefer written word unless I need a how to tutorial (how to repair a small engine problem, etc.).

Feb 21, 2023 07:52 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - the differences between surviving and thriving can seem confusing at times in real estate because the "line" that separates can "seem" unclear.    I wonder how a tightrope walker would answer?   

Feb 21, 2023 08:50 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

"Don't lean too far left or right!!" :)

Feb 21, 2023 10:34 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

We just moved to AZ and I have been contemplating getting my license here, but there is so much to learn about the area.  We will see. 

Feb 21, 2023 08:52 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Unless something major changes, when we move to WV I do not plan to license there.  We'll work on a referral basis for our Ohio leads.

Feb 21, 2023 10:35 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I prefer to thrive - thank you.  

Your comment above regarding the flip side of being niche driven is that people think we cannot do the "general stuff."  I agree with that.  Niche is truly "leveling up" and yes we can sell a home that does not fit our area of specialization.

 

Feb 21, 2023 03:51 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's a conversation I make sure I have early on with any local buyer that may have a house to sell if they found me for patio homes/condos.

Feb 21, 2023 06:56 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

As always good advice. In order to thrive you must know your market and the inventory and history. I'm meeting with a seller on Thursday and when she explained her home I immediately knew her floorplan. She laughed and said I knew you would know it!

Feb 21, 2023 04:42 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

We do get familiar with certain things!  I run into that quite a bit in our local 55+ community.  Yep, sold one just like that 2 years ago :)

Feb 21, 2023 06:58 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I would never want to just "survive" -- I will always thrive or consider retirement!

Feb 21, 2023 06:52 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

If we have the fundamental tools in place, there's no reason not to thrive when we're willing to do the work.  Fortunately there's a reward available for those willing to work while others are looking for some magic solution that's quick and easy.

Feb 22, 2023 04:50 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Focusing on a specific part of the market certainly helps us figure out how to market to them appropriately. And it makes it easier to know everything about that market!

Feb 22, 2023 04:51 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Exactly.  There's too much area here for me to know everything about Cincinnati and Dayton, so my primary focus on niche housing allows me to go in either area and be comfortable for that type of home.  For the rest of the market, I'm more focused closer to home.

Feb 22, 2023 08:02 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Well done, Bill- Back in 2008, I met agents who were bent on marketing and working the market just as they always had.  And I met a wonderful agent who quickly learned everything she could about short sales, etc, and thrived. 

Feb 22, 2023 12:10 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

That was definitely a time for short sale knowledge to step to the front!

Feb 22, 2023 01:08 PM
Anne Corbin
Long and Foster - Lake Anna - Spotsylvania, VA
Serving Lake Anna & Central Virginia

You need to be flexible in this business. If the peas are on sale this week, then shoppers will buy peas instead of carrots. I think that holds true for our markets. One subdivision in another County may be the hot spot and, if that is in your area, you need to do your research to be ready for potential buyers. Good morning to you all!

Feb 23, 2023 06:55 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

No doubt, you have to monitor and adapt to market shifts.  Staying static can lead to some really bad years.

Feb 23, 2023 03:36 PM