Admin

My Niche in real estate

By
Real Estate Agent with Cherry Creek Properties, LLC

It can take some people a really long time to figure out what they are truly good at and can Clipart of a contractorhave the possibility of the most success. Some people never figure it out. While I thoroughly enjoy working with people to help them buy or sell their houses, I have found the niche that I think I could be most successful at.

New-Home Construction. Having my architecture background really comes in handy when reviewing plans and construction documents. I can envision the home before the first shovel ever breaks into the earth! I really enjoy working with contractors. I love it when given the opportunity to collaborate on a project and find new ways of doing things that make the hoe more functional for the future home-owners. I have worked with a couple of clients that have built new homes and would like to think they valued my expertise and appreciated my insight.

Not all contractors are created equal. I have worked with contractors that were extremely difficult to deal with. The secret is to keep a level head and to understand the contractor's point of view. I haven't met any contractors that I couldn't talk to and soothe over any problems on the job-site. I go out of my way to make sure things go smoothly ahead of time. I have also worked with contractors that are super easy to work with. I think everyone involved benefits from open communication. The clients get a significantly better house than originally designed, the contractor may be able to make some extra money for change-orders and repeat business after the home owners brag about the experience, and I get the satisfaction that my clients got the best house they could!

I have found that sometimes builders even prefer the home buyers have a Realtor. If a builder is honest, they want the future home owners to make sure they understand everything they sign so that all problems can be taken care of before they ever happen. Builders have lost a lot of money over the years from irate home owners that did not understand the process and sued the builder and won! A realtor that understands the construction process can be a great asset to anyone thinking of building a home. And to top it all off, the builder pays for the realtor. So why not hire someone to help you build your next house.... that you don't even have to pay for??

Comments(30)

Show All Comments Sort:
Justin Phillips
Cherry Creek Properties, LLC - Littleton, CO

Thanks for all the great comments.

While working with new home construction is fun and preferred for me, it is definitely not my only clientele. I would say this year 20% of my successful closings came from clients that were building their next home. I would like that to be higher, but I definitely don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. The hunt of finding a new existing home can also be very rewarding as well. Having worked for architects for the past 15 years has helped me tremendously in dealing with all sorts of builders/contractors.

I am also going to start incorporating that background into my listings as well. I can't tell you the number of times that people have taken the time to go see one of my listings only to get there and find out that the floor plan/ layout does not work for them. I want to start drawing up the plans for my listings so people can see the layout before they get to the house.

Lastly I want to thank all of the people that read this blog and have recommended it to get featured. I'm still relatively new to the Activerain community and this is my first post as a rainmaker! I'm looking forward to the future with activerain.

Feel free to check out my website for some more information: www.realestatearch.com

Nov 02, 2011 12:36 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON
good luck in your niche and other sales. New construction is one of our favorite in NYC.
Nov 02, 2011 12:51 PM
Linda Metallo DiBenardo
RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

Good for you Justin! New Construction is my niche too.  Contrary to the rest of the market, it's on the upswing.  Why buy a resale when you can buy brand new for the same price?

Nov 02, 2011 12:54 PM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Justin...it is good to find a niche!  If it is new construction you like, you should read Barbara Todaro's blog.  She is a new construction guru.

Nov 02, 2011 01:48 PM
Thomas Beadle
KW Commercial Roers Realty - Fargo, ND
ND Commercial Realtor

That doesn't seem like a bad niche to focus on at all, especially if the market is ripe with new construction homes.  We could use that expertise in our state right now, especially if that person can help prompt new home builders to come to town and start building.  Some areas of North Dakota (like Williston) are so low in housing that we have 5,000+ people living in man-camp villages or living in their car while waiting for contractors to come and build houses so that they can escape the cold!

 

Nov 02, 2011 03:12 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

There is so little new construction right now around here that I think it would be a niche that would have to be augmented by other niches.  However, I'm starting to see a few more active construction sites.  It's slowly coming back  - certainly an improvement over empty holes in the ground - which was what I was seeing  (except in a few select and strong markets) until this year.

Nov 02, 2011 03:50 PM
Donald Reich
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist

Justin, great post! Whether it's new construction or old, a buyer should definitely use an agent. The professional's help goes a long way!

Nov 02, 2011 04:55 PM
Eric Kodner
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

Finding your niche and working it is essential to survival in today's real estate market..best of luck!

Nov 03, 2011 01:53 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

This is a topic on the OWN channel i.e. find your calling and live it!

Nov 03, 2011 02:30 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Congratulations on the feature, and a bigger congratulations on finding and recognizing your sweet spot.

Nov 03, 2011 02:59 AM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Get your CSP designation( a professionally trained Site agent) !!! Good move , specialists usually always out earn generalists !!!

Nov 03, 2011 03:47 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Justin

I appreciate the fact you found your niche but being more of a generalist has worked well for me. Granted it took quite a bit of work and research when I sold my first winery and vineyard but it was worth. This is true in selling new homes, I had 120 homes under my control in three subdivisions, and all the other aspect of real estate which I have become comfortable working in. Good Luck with yours.

Nov 03, 2011 03:53 AM
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I have dabbled in many of the available Real Estate niches including new construction. While I could sit on tracts, it wasn't my first love. Residential re-sale has my interest. However, I remain open for consultations and...?

Nov 03, 2011 04:38 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Justin, it is great to find your niche as more focus there really gets you places. Congrats on this and the feature.

Nov 03, 2011 04:46 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Justin:

With your architecture background you are a the perfect person to help new home buyers.  Good luck to you and congratulations on finding the perfect niche for you.

Nov 03, 2011 07:15 AM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Justin, 

Love this concept of finding your niche.  We handle luxury home leasing and property management.  Most of our clients are expatriate clients on international assingment.  This way I am an ambassador to Atlanta and I meet some of the most fascinating people.  I love my work and am thriving!

All the best, Michelle 

Nov 03, 2011 08:40 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale
It sounds like a great fit for you. My brother is an architect so I know how beneficial that can be.
Nov 03, 2011 10:55 AM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

I sure hope how soon I find me niche --- Good luck and thanks for sharing.

Nov 04, 2011 12:25 AM
Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN
PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA
VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

Glad to see that you found your niche. I think I am going to focus on VA Borrowers on sellers, since I am also a Veteran and I don't really see agents reaching out to them.

Nov 04, 2011 11:18 AM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

Sort of doing what you love and then figuring out how to make money at it. Congratulations and Happy Selling

Nov 25, 2011 02:16 PM