Home > Blogs > Karen Hurst > Karen's Ocean State Blog

Getting Listings?

By Karen Hurst

Real Estate Broker/Owner with RICOASTALLIVING.COM

August 19, 2006 09:52 AM

I would think that every Realtor would want input on this question. I know I do! I have read and tried several ways of getting listings. FSBO's, expireds, postcards, advertising in newspapers, handing out marketing material, business cards, etc etc etc. While these approaches work to a degree, they are certaintly not the most lucrative. My best way of getting listings has been referrals, and friends of a friend, etc., to the point that unless I make my name a household word, I will never compete with the "big companies" What has worked for you? There are millions of homes, buyers and sellers. It has been my experience that everyone has a "friend in the business" and will use them first. How can you counteract that statement?

Comments(14)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Teri Isner

Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL

GRI, CRS, CIPS

Referrals are best but set up a system to prospect for listings too. Once you have one and hear of an upcoming listings it in place to get you started. Have fun on your sailing trip!

Aug 19, 2006 10:06 AM

Christopher Smith

TREGO REALTY - Cedar Rapids, IA

You are right Karen, after the friends and family dry up, you are left to attract clients through Open Houses, Floor Duty, and your prospecting.

Aug 19, 2006 10:53 AM

Eric Bouler

Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA

Listening to your Needs

karen. This is the number #1 farm area is your past clients, friends, sponsers ect. You can do the others but this is first. I get quite few from the website.

Aug 19, 2006 10:56 AM

Mrs. Sheri Ann Johnson, GRI

Tropic Shores Realty - Spring Hill, FL

Referrals!!! I met a mortgage broker & her husband about 1 1/2 years ago & they send ALL of their Buyers & Sellers my way. They don't have to worry about me trying to steal their mortgage away & she knows I will deal honestly & fairly with them. It has been a completely wonderful deal for me & them.

Aug 19, 2006 05:13 PM

Alexander Harb

Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX

Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

I talk to anyone and everyone about real estate........ target, walmart, gas station..ect.....

Aug 19, 2006 06:10 PM

Lisa Pratali

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Oak Lawn, IL

I'm do the same Alex. I talk with everyone about real estate. My broker actually gave me some good advice once. Before going to a friend/family member party or outing get to know that area inside and out. You'll be the center of the real estate conversation with some great area stats. They'll remember you.

Aug 20, 2006 11:35 AM

Karen Hurst

RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI

Rhode Island Waterfront!

Sheri Ann, I like the idea of referrals from a mortgage broker. Its strange but I had always felt like I was giving HIM the referrals! Never thought about it the other way around! I will definitely have to work on that.

I'm sorry I started this blog and went on vacation. I'm not sorry I went on vacation, just about the blog.

Alex and Lisa, I also talk to everyone about real estate, or everyone asks my opinion about it, but do you actually get listings from that? Or are we waiting for 3 years down the road for the referral. I had a neighbor tell me about 6 months ago she was going to refer me to her friend as soon as she knew she was moving. Well I saw the house on MLS this am! Guess who didn't get the listing?

Eric, When you say farm, are you talking door to door? Or just general when you see someone? Karen

Aug 24, 2006 03:59 AM

Peter Andres - Lic. in FL & NY GRI,SRES,CNE

REALTOR - The Villages, FL

I'm a marketer of niche farming. I never liked the neighborhods but was drawn to fsbos, expired and lis pendens. Sending a one to two month postcard campaign with my picture and a short hand writen note workes wonders.

Aug 25, 2006 03:11 PM

The problem with working expireds is, if you don't call them immediately, early in the morning, you lose! At least thats the way it is in my area. Agents are sitting on their mls expired and are sometimes at the door in the am. I dislike calling people before 8am so as not to disturb them, but I have found that is not early enough. If I were to send a postcard, its definitely too late! Now FSBO's is a little different. But of course you need to somehow stand out from the hundreds of others doing the same thing. I like the idea of the handwritten note, Peter. That probably makes it more personal. Where do you find the lis pendens data? Karen

Aug 26, 2006 12:45 AM

Anonymous

Michaelle

I've tried it all....unless you get face to face, It don't work. They either like you, or they don't.

I just keep on, keeping on.

Jun 26, 2007 06:46 AM

#10

Donna Yates

BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge Mountains

Referrals and prospecting and of course talking it up as Alexander mentioned. I've had some success with mail outs on expireds. Being an introvert is hard for me to talk it up but every now in the extrovert in me tries to break through and I'll start chatting away. I met a really nice couple visiting my area by just walking up to them in a parking lot and giving them a card. You never know but I have learned that everyone and I do mean everyone is a prospect. Oh, Karen, I am trying to break my habit of only looking at posts on the first page which is why I delved way into the pages of your blogs and found this one! I'm finding it pays to go beyond the first page.

Sep 09, 2007 10:19 AM

Wow Donna, This was from last year, hmmm seems like I do a lot of sailing! I have since fallen into my niche (for the time being anyway) of doing Foreclosed homes. Listing these homes brings me loads of buyers. I have also learned to talk to people much more. As you say, it's tough being an introvert, but if we don't push ourselves, it may hurt our career. If you read some of the "older at AR" blogs you will learn a lot. There are people who used to post here and offered wonderful ideas. Have fun!

Sep 09, 2007 12:42 PM

Paul Gapski

Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA

619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

thank you very much for the informative and interesting post. I get so much out of the active rain network.

Feb 29, 2012 09:36 AM

Yes Karen Ive notice expires can be very touch sinces your number 15 by 10am in the morning. FSBO's seem better especially if you try to help them first.

Mar 01, 2012 12:03 AM

Getting Listings?

Comments(14)

Karen Hurst

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Additional Information