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What do you say when...

By Daniel Hatmaker

Real Estate Agent with Aslan Residential 01483360

February 04, 2009 03:30 AM

...someone you know in the real estate business, whether it be mortgage, title, escrow or home sales asks you how you're business is going? Let me preface this with you know this person is struggling in his/her business and you just had a year better than the previous 3 combined.

It is a tough question because I'm excited about my business and eager to share when someone asks. Even when I was struggling to sell 5 houses a year I was still excited and and ready to talk real estate. Now with so many struggling I'm trying to find the best way to share my enthusiasm and be encouraging.

I meet real estate professionals every day who are taking part-time jobs or getting out of the business completely. These aren't people who were just in it for that run earlier this decade. These are people who were successful for double digit years prior to that. I just don't want to be that guy who says, "I just had the best year ever. How bout you?" only to find out that professional just had the worst year ever and is thinking of getting out of the business.

I'd enjoy hearing thoughts on this. I'm certain others are encountering this conversation no matter which side of it you're on.

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April Hayden-Munson

Brookfield, WI

Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Daniel - I am struggling - after being in business over 2 decades. I still want to hear about the good stories and the successes!! When someone asks me I answer that it is a great time to buy a home and business is tough - but I enjoy it and will be there in 5 years!

So, how did you manage to have such a great year?

Feb 04, 2009 07:42 AM

Jessica Wallace

Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345

Hi Daniel,

I had my best year as well! I have had fun working with buyers and helping them get into homes they could never have bought 2 years ago. Negotiating for them and seeing the reward is the best and I have grown to love the business. I don't talk details with anyone who is not a close friend about how much I have sold, but I do tell people who ask, Realtors or general public, that business is good and now is a great opportunity for many people.

Feb 04, 2009 12:17 PM

Daniel Hatmaker

Aslan Residential - Huntington Beach, CA

Seized by His affection. Entrepreneur and internet

April,

2 years ago we put together an aggressive online marketing campaign to capture buyer leads. I thought within 6 to 12 months I'd have more buyers than I knew what to do with. We successfully signed over 30 buyer broker agreements with qualified buyers. I think 1 of those 30 actually bought a house. We were able to generate over 100 contacts each week and many of those went into a drip marketing campaign. What we're finding now is those 3,000+ people are ready to buy a home.

While the buyers were exiting the market my business partner started prospecting banks as it was becoming obvious REOs were going to explode on the scene. He was successful in landing two solid accounts and we joined forces to pick up one more. Since then we've added 7 more and have a constant stream of listings coming and going.

Having listings has also helped us with our buyer business. We've implemented new marketing campaings around our own listings. We had NEVER double-ended a deal after 3 years in the business and double-ended 3 in one month. We're also looking forward realizing this market may change back to a normal market as quickly as it changed to an abnormal one. We're working to brand ourselves now in hopes of being properly positioned to pick up new business when the market transitions.

I know you'll weather the storm April. Best of success to you.

Warmest Regards,

Feb 05, 2009 09:30 AM

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