DON'T BE A CAVE BEAST IN 2009 - BE A WINNER!

THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IS FUNDAMENTAL! 

YOU CAN DO IT! 

Selling Real estate is not just a job.  Real estate agents and brokers are engaged in the business of brokering real estate sales.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SUCCEED IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS?

                          

                                                            DON'T BE A CAVE BEAST! 

Successful real estate practice requires a willingness and ability to act independently and timely.  Procrastination is almost guaranteed to lead to failure. 

NOT IN ANY PARTICULAR ORDER, WHAT I'VE FOUND IS:

1.  You must get out of bed in the morning and go to work.  (Even if your office is down the hall.)

2.  You must establish structure with regular "at work" office hours, no matter where you work.  (Family and friends must respect your work hours".)

3.  You must have a business plan to determine what type of real estate will be your focus for the coming year.  (Learn to refer customers or clients whose real estate needs are not within your expertise.)

4.  You must have a budget to manage your advertising, promotion, office costs and services for you business.  (If you don't spend the money this week, save it, don't spend it on non-business things.)

5.  You must plan and schedule Continuing Education to maximize the use of time when you're not busy with customers or clients.  (Take courses for new real estate specialties and blaze trails.)

6.  You must be accessible to prospects, customers, clients and other agents.  (Answer the dang phone.)

7.  You must keep timely records of income and expenses.  (Establish a system and stick to it.)

8.  You must practice timely follow up with prospects.  (If they sent their phone number to you, you can call them until you get them on the phone.)

9.  You must keep informed of industry news and events in case you need to revise your business plan or advertising. (Read Inman and ActiveRain blogs.)

10.  Sometimes it helps to play tricks on yourself.  Plan to complete an onerous task at least once a week.  Tasks such as:

11.  Clean your work vehicle.  (You're going to feel so good, you'll find a reason to take someone on tour.)

12.  Prepare buyer or listing packages ahead so you can e-mail or post them as soon as a good lead requires. (A buyer will bond with you when they get helpful information by e-mail or postal mail.)

13.  Provide good timely feedback to referral agents/brokers.  Don't ignore this valuable source of business.  (Referring agent work hard to acquire the buyer or seller, don't neglect timely feedback to this valuable resource.)

14.  Preview several resale listings or visit a new home sales office each week to stay on top of the market.  (Don't be surprised if you get a call and can say, "I know the perfect house for you, I just saw it yesterday.")

15.  PROTECT YOUR HEALTH.   You cannot work at maximum capacity if you neglect your health.   Plan your diet.  Be careful of alcohol and smoking.  PLAN EXERCIZE ON A REGULAR BASIS.   Can't get to the gym?  Get a treadmill.   Regular exercize and a healthful diet will prepare you to have the stamina to outwork and outthink your competition.

16.  GO OVER YOUR BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET.  IS YOUR PLAN SUITED TO THE PRESENT DAY REAL ESTATE MARKET?  If not, revise it and make notes why. 

17.  Keep business and personal accounts separate.  Try to continue saving even in a tough market.  You're going to need it.  You can't pay fill the gas tank with that new pair of shoes.  Frugality and saving will carry many agents through tough times. 

LEARN TO BE A WINNER.  All it takes is discipline and hard work.  Train like a Thoroughbred and Win. 

         

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988, E-Mail.