Real Estate Tools and Systems that I Love

Real Estate Tools and Systems that I Love

February's contest was for us to write about the tools and systems that we just can't live without. To run a successful business, one must have tools and a system in place. Many of us are independent contractors, and we run our real estate business as a business venture.

Technology has brought many changes to how we run our real estate business. New gadgets and software are being implemented and added on a daily basis to facilitate and expedite our services. Real estate is a very competitive business. If you are not up to par with the latest gadgets, your business might fall behind. Communication is key to any successful business. This is truer in our business than many other trades. One of the tools that has improved our business communication is our handheld smartphone device. I don't think we can live without it. I believe this little device has more accurate information than I can retrieve from my brain. Another device is the electronic signature software. Without it, we would still be driving all over town, only adding to the problems of road congestion.

I would like to share a tool and system that I use that is fail proof.  I love the interaction that I build face to face with buyers looking for their dream home. I also love meeting neighbors who are thinking of selling their houses and are trying to determine the market on their own before they decide on a listing agent. 

During my open house, I always request that everyone who comes in to view the property, sign an open house registry. I have the sign in the sheet set up on the kitchen counter along with buyers information and snacks, so they feel more at home. I also have comparables of most recent Solds of the neighborhood. One problem I came to address is the fact that many avoided signing the open house registry sheet. Those who did seemed to have obtained a doctor's degree..... their handwriting was mostly illegible, and it was of no use to either me or the sellers. Another issue is that by the time they reached the kitchen, they felt they had no need to sign since they were already in the house.

I have been implementing the Open Home Pro software. It is free to download to either your Ipad or Android device. It is a lead capture device where you can ask the questions you feel are relevant. I start by asking their name, email, phone number, home address and how soon they need to move. That is all, short and brief. The best part is that I can read the answers they leave behind. I am having a higher rate of accurate leads once I implemented the open house pro software. I now won't hold any open house without this tool.

That brings me to the system. How do I make sure a higher percentage of those who come to my open house will sign in? I set up a system where I place a small table right by the entrance of the house. Everyone who comes in is not permitted to tour the property unless they sign in. Once they sign on my open house pro, I then hand them a flyer with the property information. I also place a notice right next to my Ipad which indicates the sign in is requested by the Seller for safety reasons. This is a system that shows who is in control of the open house. Only those who follow my rules are then allowed to tour the property. 

Hope you all find my tool and system helpful the next time you hold you own open house.

Real Estate Toosl and Systems that I Love