realtor: 5 Steps to Create a Referral Business You Love - 05/03/18 02:31 PM

“Without a strategy, you’re just throwing something against a wall and hoping that it sticks.” –Katie Lance
Real estate is filled with lead and referral opportunities but finding the right ones that work for your business can be challenging. Social media expert Katie Lance and our VP of Marketing Lisa Fettner recently hosted a webinar to discuss how to track your lead gen, focus your referral efforts and create content that attracts the clients you want to work with.
Follow these simple steps to identify referral sources that will help you create and sutain a business you love.
Track and manage your lead generation. … (3 comments)

realtor: Using an IRA to Invest in Real Estate - 04/04/18 02:24 PM

The IRS allows IRAs and 401(k)s to purchase investment real estate, but most people don’t know where to start or how to do so.
Clay Malcolm from New Direction IRA – a self-directed IRA service, recently joined us for a webinar to share how to generate more commissions from your existing client base via IRA investment. As a real estate expert, you can also use this IRS rule to invest your own SEP IRA or Solo 401(k).
Two benefits of self-directed IRAs benefits for you and your business. The first benefit is to be aware that by putting your real estate expertise to … (0 comments)

realtor: 4 Ways to Take Back Your Time in 2018 - 01/16/18 08:43 AM

It’s officially 2018, which means you are busier than ever — chasing new goals, catching up from the holidays, and trying not to break that workout resolution you made.
There’s only one you and only so many hours in a day, so here are a few ways you can save your precious time this year.
Hire a virtual assistant. As an agent, you should be focusing your time on doing what you do best — meeting with clients, showing homes, prospecting, and writing contracts. If you need help with smaller, mundane tasks, hiring a virtual assistant (VA) might be the right move. Here … (3 comments)

realtor: Referral Gold in 2018 - 10/26/17 10:37 AM

Our VP of Marketing, Lisa Fettner, recently returned from speaking at the Xplode Conferene in Oklahoma City where she shared tips and ideas for boosting your referral business in the New Year.
If 2018 is the year you want to increase your referral business and make the most of your network, keep reading — and take the Referral Challenge.
Think “any” and “every.” ANY contact, conversation, or connection can be a referral opportunity, so it’s important to always wear your name tag or branded apparel EVERYWHERE. When you are recognizable as a real estate agent during your daily routines, the possibilities of who … (0 comments)

realtor: Our ‘Go-To’ Real Estate News Sources - 09/07/17 01:17 PM

So many news stories, so little time. Keeping up with the news these days is just plain overwhelming. By the time you’ve caught up on a breaking news article, it’s already old news.
As an agent, your day is unpredictable and time is limited. So, how and where do you keep up with the latest news, trends, and resources in the real estate world? We’re sharing our ‘go-to’ news sites and blogs to help you keep calm and stay ‘in the know.’
Inman News: Real estate industry professionals from around the world turn to Inman first for accurate, innovative and timely information about … (2 comments)

realtor: Enhance Listings & WOW Clients with 3D Tech & Virtual Reality - 07/26/17 09:52 AM

3D technology and virtual reality can be powerful marketing tools when working with both buyers and sellers — but it's often expensive and complicated to use effectively.
Steve Bintz, Director of Sales at immoviewer — an app and tool that makes it easy for agents to take high-resolution pictures and 3D virtual tour of properties, recently joined us to share how to:
Use VR to create powerful listing and buyer appointments. Learn how to integrate VR into your everyday business. Find less expensive and easy-to-use solutions. 3D technology and virtual reality are not just a trend. According to NAR research, in 2016, … (3 comments)

realtor: Three Steps to Writing a Great Description for Your Listing - 06/15/17 08:57 AM

You’ve collected up all your photographs, noted down all the relevant property information and now you just have to write the description and upload! Sometimes, it’s not always as easy as it sounds, is it? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It can be challenging to write the perfect description that is both informative and engaging, and that sets your listing apart from the rest. To give you a hand with yours, we’re sharing how to write the perfect property description.
Step 1: Organize your notes and all relevant information. Try and get as much information and details as you can such as … (67 comments)

realtor: 5 Free Apps to Help Potential Clients - 06/07/17 11:28 AM
As an agent, you can make yourself more valuable by giving your clients tools that will help them during the buying or selling process. The following web and mobile apps allow clients to prepare for homeowner finances, learn about the cost value of energy efficient appliances, and much more. Be sure to send this list to any new clients you’re working with.
Homestyler
Value: Helps clients customize space to imagine it as theirs
It can be hard to imagine a home as yours when you hate the furniture, layout and general look and feel. Clients can use the Homestyler app as they look through … (3 comments)

realtor: Key Ingredients of a Great Partnership - 05/25/17 02:42 PM

Forging successful partnerships – whether it’s with a fellow real estate agent, vendor, or client can yield benefits for all parties involved beyond an initial sale or deal. Perhaps you want to expand your service area, launch your product or program to a ready-made market, or implement technology that you don’t have resources to develop, these are just a few of the many reasons to develop a partnership.
Below are five best practices to use when creating powerful and lasting partnerships. One of our most successful partnerships, with CRS (Council of Residential Specialists), has followed this path – and it’s been a … (0 comments)

realtor: What Every Agent Needs to Know About Down Payment Programs - 04/27/17 08:32 AM

The biggest obstacle to home ownership is often the down payment — both for first-time and some move-up buyers. With rising interest rates and home prices that continue to grow, saving enough money for a down payment has become even more difficult.
Sean Moss, SVP, Director or Operations and Customer Support at Down Payment Resource recently joined us to share information about down payment programs, which agents can use to turn their sidelined buyers into homeowners.
Sean encouraged everyone to contact their mortgage partners and local housing agencies to learn about programs available in their specific areas. Agents can then promote these programs … (1 comments)

realtor: Maximizing Your Lead Gen ROI: 5 Tips for Lead Management Success - 04/20/17 09:21 AM

Converting purchased leads can be challenging and frustrating. Prospects don’t return phone calls or emails — and it’s often difficult to stand out from the digital crowd. When managed effectively, however, online lead gen can be a lucrative supplement to your current business. Our VP of Marketing, Lisa Fettner, recently hosted a webinar alongside Kimberly Cameron of Better Homes & Gardens Preferred Properties and JLA Realty’s Ryan Bokros, to discuss tips to get you closer to the close.
During the webinar, Lisa, Kimberly, and Ryan shared five best practices for turning cold prospects into closed deals:
Help your leads get to know … (0 comments)

realtor: Key Findings from Our Referral Report - 03/29/17 10:03 AM

Agent-to-agent referrals are a foundational piece of the real estate industry. Back in January we released “The Real Estate Referral Economy” – a study on the power of real estate referrals, conducted in partnership with the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS). We surveyed 1,400+ top-performing agents nationwide to learn more about the impact of referrals on their business. The result is a deep dive into referrals, their value, the methods used to make or take successful referrals, and more.
Key findings from the report include:
Referrals aren’t purely important to agents for their monetary value. Many agents’ primary concern when referring out … (2 comments)

realtor: How to Be a More Valuable Agent (And Drive More Clients!) - 03/09/17 08:53 AM

Your job as a real estate agent is to help clients sell or find their dream home. While your general guidance is likely valuable, there are many ways you can make yourself a greater asset to clients.
Providing more value is a win-win, because when clients are impressed with you, they’re more likely to share their experience with friends, refer your services, and leave a great review—all of which drive more business opportunities. The following three ideas are just the tip of the iceberg, but can be used by every agent, regardless of location.
Offer Advice for Buyers
You may have sold enough houses … (2 comments)

realtor: Webinar Recap: Grow Your Business by Growing Your Referrals - 02/02/17 08:29 AM

 
Last week, we hosted a webinar with RE Technology to share 65 ways you can build your referral business. We were also joined by Ginger Childs, a top-producing agent at RE/MAX Achievers, who has been a member of the ReferralExchange network for nine years. The webinar covered how to:
• Identify new sources of referral business.
• Use your current database to generate nationwide business.
• Expand your sphere of influence to cover the entire country.
As an agent, it’s important to think “any” and “every” — meaning “any” one, “every” where should know that you are a real estate agent. Any conversation, connection, or … (1 comments)

realtor: Our Top 7 Moments from Inman Connect NY - 01/26/17 08:34 AM

Our team just returned from an insightful and exciting five days in New York City for Inman Connect – an event where 3,500 of the best and brightest in the real estate industry come together to network and share ideas. It may just be us, but it feels like the week goes by quicker and quicker each year. Time flies when you’re having fun!
 
The Marriott Marquis in Times Square was buzzing with top influencers and leaders from the industry sharing innovative ideas and valuable content. Ask anyone, and they will tell you—the people make the conference, and the energy is … (2 comments)

realtor: Inside the Real Estate Referral Economy - 01/11/17 09:50 AM

Referrals maintain a coveted spot in real estate. In our report, we examined how well referrals close, how much they're worth to agents, standard expectations for fees, and more.
 
We surveyed 1,400+ top-performing agents nationwide to learn more about the impact of referrals on their business. The result is a deep dive into referrals, their value, the methods used to make or take successful referrals, and more.
 
Get our new report, "The Real Estate Referral Economy" for a full look.
… (0 comments)

realtor: Nurturing Your Referral Network Online and Offline - 01/05/17 08:14 AM

“People influence people. Nothing influences people more than a recommendation from a trusted referral. A trusted referral is the holy grail of advertising.” –Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook
As a new year begins, it’s important to nurture your referral network in a variety of ways so that you continue to stay top-of-mind. Keep your contacts organized and updated in a Google drive or CRM to make your interactions with them more effective. Recording notes on each person such as when you last spoke with them and important details (e.g., dog lover, five kids) or notable dates (e.g., birthdays, relocation), will guide when and how … (1 comments)

realtor: Happy Holidays from ReferralExchange! - 12/19/16 10:04 AM

… (1 comments)

realtor: Webinar Recap: Start Planning for 2017 - 11/28/16 11:27 AM

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” — Antoine De Saint Exupéry
With less than 40 days left in the year, it’s absolutely time to get ready for 2017. Real estate broker, writer, and speaker, Melissa Zavala, recently joined us for a webinar to share how to clearly define your vision and develop the success strategies necessary to create a game-changing business plan for 2017.
 
Melissa discussed how to:
• Set personal and professional goals you can achieve.
• Identify potential obstacles and how you can easily overcome them.
• Adjust your attitude to stay on track.
• Stay focused on the right things … (1 comments)

realtor: Webinar Recap: The Power of Giving - 11/02/16 01:30 AM
“The secret to happiness is: Find something more important than you are and dedicate your life to it.” –Dan DennettLast week we sat down with Caroline Pinal, co-founder of Giveback Homes, a company that empowers real estate agents to turn their everyday business into an opportunity for social change.
Caroline, who previously worked at TOMS, has always been passionate about making social giving a priority, and inspiring others to do the same. She shared how to:
 
Develop a social-giving plan that works for your business Identify giving partners Determine how much to donate Easily jump-start your giving efforts, no matter your resources Simply put, … (0 comments)