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5 Fatal Mistakes of New REO Agents

By
Real Estate Agent with www.eBrokerHouse.com

5 fatal mistakes from new Reo Agents

    The biggest mistakes are actually pretty common among new comers and even among the experienced. Read these and start implementing these right away. I learned the hard way over these years and so have many others. You don’t have to make the same mistakes if you implement these into your routine.

1. “I don’t want to do BPO’s”-

–This I hear all the time. I just don’t know of any successful real estate agent or team breaking into REO’s without completing BPO’s first. This is how you’re able to prove to the asset managers that you are really working to put quality work out there. If you don’t want to the orders yourself then you can build a model that is functional without you. This we will discuss later how you can set your BPO’s to run without you. Yes, you really can set up a successful (profitable) BPO company without putting in long hours.

 

2. Poor Quality work-

Passion must be visible in your work that you do at all times. Take time to really get into the values and comps of the area you’re researching. Take time to complete great notes and comments about each order so that one can easily read your report and get a great rundown of the subject property. You would be amazed of some of the horribly poor comments being turned into these asset managers. You should be exact and precise and really give them valuable information.

 

3. Late Orders

This is a very big mistake of the whole equation and should given much attention. This alone will make you look very reliable and demonstrate that you can handle bigger projects (REO listings). Turn in your orders early and keep those lines of communication open at all times. Let your asset manager know of any delays or problems that you are having. Leave them a quick email if you’re unable to phone them. One or two orders late won’t hurt you. It’s the next few that will permanently damage your rating.

 

4. Taking on too many orders-

This can happen when you have already proven your ability to handle multiple orders. Your asset manager will ask you to handle some X amount of orders and you will take the orders. Then something happens and you’re unable to complete the orders on time and you really will damage your reputation. Instead, you need to be 100% sure that you can handle your workload and prepare with back up plans. Always be evaluating your “orders due” compared to the new orders you’re planning on excepting.

 

5. Giving Up–

This is honestly a business just like any other. If this was easy then you would not even be reading this. The fact that REO listings and BPO’s seem to be overwhelming means that there is more out there for you and I. Work hard and continue to always educate yourself. If you set your business up correctly in the beginning and give your true 100%, then you’re on the way to become a true authority in this growing niche. Stick through the growing pains and your results will be quickly noticed!

 

Good luck and I will post some more info soon.

 

Remember that it's not just what you do.... it's also what "you don't do"

 

Thomas Moore

REODB Inc.

702-580-0125

www.ReoProfessor.com

Bob Cosby
One Source Realty - Shaw AFB, SC

Seems like the real world now and I'm offering to do virtual tours on them also. Bring them my way and I'd be happy to assist in selling....BPO's, not a problem anytime

 

Aug 15, 2008 04:14 PM
Carol Perez
Tarbell Realtors - Upland, CA

Is that really where you start in BPO's??? or is there another way???

Aug 15, 2008 04:29 PM
Addie Scharff
Beautiful Homes Realty - Los Banos, CA
HomeStaging REALTOR - Beautiful Homes Realty

Thanks for the great post/advise!  As a new agent trying to get into this section of the market, it is greatly appreciated!

Aug 15, 2008 04:35 PM
Cristal Drake
Prudential California Realty - Fullerton, CA
Realtor - Fullerton Real Estate

Thanks for the info and advice. I am lucky in that I have landed two reo listings from a bank.  It is tough and an aweful lot of work.  I am acutally glad I have only received two because it can suck you in and keep you from getting your relationships built on the outside.  Thanks for the info.

Aug 15, 2008 04:42 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Thomas,

Very good and informative post. Not an easy market and I guess not easy to get to list REOs, but this is a good business, so your post is very timely. Thanks

Aug 15, 2008 04:58 PM
Tom Kim
Kay Kim Realty - Buford, GA

Thomas,

  I just bought your REO professor software and reo411 list, but never got the bonus items you had listed. PLease let me know how to get them or when you will send them to me.

Aug 19, 2008 03:26 PM
Matthew Zgonc
Aksland Real Estate - Modesto, CA
Realtor, CFS, CVS

Thomas, good post. You are right, you wouldn't believe how many bpo's I have done where it was already half completed for me by the agent that had it yanked.

Aug 21, 2008 09:22 AM
Johnathan Smith
Coldwell Banker DiTommaso Realty - Staten Island, NY

your so right! I think alot of real estate agents should read this.

Aug 21, 2008 01:14 PM
Kathleen Brooke
Pic Properties - Olathe, KS

The best advice is the one about DON'T TAKE ON MORE ORDERS THAN YOU CAN COMPLETE.  This actually happened to Paul a couple of weeks ago.  The first time ever he was late and they just yanked his orders.  He got busy with clients and ended up out with clients instead of getting his BPOS finished up.  We won't make that mistake again. 

Aug 21, 2008 02:19 PM
Shayne Kilber
West USA Realty - Surprise, AZ
Realtor, CDPE, GRI, CNE, CSSN

"Is that really where you start in BPO's??? or is there another way???"

 

You're kidding right?  Hope so:) 

 

Shayne

Aug 21, 2008 05:45 PM
Lorinda Ward
Keffer Realty - Norfolk, VA
Serving, Hampton Roads Virginia. Norfolk, Chesapeake, Va Beach

Doing BPO's is where I got mey start.  I am happy I did.  Great article.  Have a wonderful day!

Aug 24, 2008 10:42 AM
Abacus Properties, Inc. DBA Apple Dream Homes
Abacus Properties Inc. - San Diego, CA

Great post and great info!

Aug 24, 2008 01:46 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Doing bpo's is a way to keep in touch with what's going on out there.  You are forced to drive to a new area, look at what has sold, and think!  It's better than sitting in the office complaining about no business.

Aug 24, 2008 02:27 PM
Eric Egeland
RE/MAX SUBURBAN - Libertyville, IL
SFR, e-PRO, CDPE

Thanks for the post Thomas

BPOs are a must...not always fun work, but a must

Aug 25, 2008 02:35 PM
Richmond Virginia
Richmond, VA

Once you get a solid routine for doing BPO's you can do them in a more efficient way.  And if you do BPO's on a regular basis...PLEASE, please hold your rate.  I had a request to do one last week for $35. Uh-I don't think so.

Aug 26, 2008 05:53 AM
Diana Lyons
Blacksburg, VA

I do at least 2 BPO's a week (last week it was 7) and have for almost 3 yrs. now. I've only had 2 REO listings in that time. I don't know what I'm doing wrong....I've never been late on an order, hardly ever get them "kicked" back for any QC issues and am still receiving tons of them (so many that I have to refuse some). Does the company having the BPO performed ever really choose the Agent who performs the BPO to market the property?  I know there are typically 2 Agents who perform the BPO (at least that's what a couple of the companies told me), One is the Listing Agent and one is another Agent (which is always me). How do I become the Listing Agent?

I like you think there is plenty (unfortunately) to go around. Any comments or advise would be appreciated. 

Aug 27, 2008 01:41 PM
Abacus Properties, Inc. DBA Apple Dream Homes
Abacus Properties Inc. - San Diego, CA

Diana, I have been told some companies are just BPO "mills" and they never give out REO listings.

Aug 27, 2008 02:03 PM
Freddy A. Saavedra
Essential Properties - Goodyear, AZ

I am also starting to do BPO's thanks for the advice.

Aug 30, 2008 06:00 AM
Andrew Monaghan
The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ
CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

Thank you for the great post, a lot of great information

 

Sep 01, 2008 04:56 AM
Andrew Monaghan
The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ
CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

One other point is start with a large reserve of cash as REO's cost a lot to maintain

 

Jan 02, 2009 03:14 PM