Tremag

Ask any real estate agent and they will most likely tell you that a big part of their daily routine is working to generate property leads. Leads are the core of any successful real estate agent’s business and some are better at generating leads than others. Part of the process involves thinking about who is most likely to be buying or selling a home and then getting creative about getting your information to them. If you are having a hard time generating leads, what follows are a few helpful tips.

1. This may seem like it should go without saying but it bears repeating: ALWAYS have your business cards with you. Leads are everywhere and you want to be able to hand out a card to that store clerk, for instance who mentions in passing that they are expecting twins and looking for a bigger house.

2. Become a local source of helpful information. People are bombarded will sales and marketing information daily. If however, you start a blog, newsletter or website that provides useful information about the community, local events, job outlook, the state of the real estate market, trends etc. Mention your credentials but don’t try to aggressively “sell” yourself as a realtor. If you become a trusted source of information, your articles will get read and people will come to value your opinion and look to you for information. That makes it more likely they will look to you when they are looking to buy or sell real estate.

3. Make sure you also have your own business website. It does not have to be extensive, but it should promote you as a real estate agent. You should post your credentials and listings on this site. You should post testimonials and visitors should be able to contact you and access the entire MLS from your site. Link this site to your community oriented website or blog and vice versa.

Take advantage of any local city or town websites that allow local business listings.

Update all of your web information on a regular basis. This will entice people to keep returning to your site.

4. Networking is vital. You can do this face to face or through social networking on the internet. Be careful not to spam online but you can generate leads on the internet.
Join forums on the internet that are specific to real estate and be helpful, providing useful information. When people on the forum or in the social network start to know and trust you, they will tend to become leads.

With respect to face to face networking, join your local Chamber of Commerce or other business networking groups. Become active in the community, church groups, charities etc. Talk to people whenever the opportunity presents itself and don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for referrals.

Get to know local contractors, lawyers, architects, real estate developers, bankers, mortgage brokers and other professionals related to the real estate industry. They can refer real estate leads to you.

Be aware of changes occurring in people’s lives. Change may mean house hunting or house selling. Look to network especially with people who are getting married, divorced, having children, getting new jobs, promotions, taking a parent into their homes. All of theses changes may require a change of residence.

5. Be helpful to other agents. If you are a new agent or you don’t have much business offer to hold open houses for busier agents in your realty group. Make yourself available to take floor shifts at the office and cover for other busier agents who may have showings that take them away from the office.

6. Don’t be afraid to give away something to get something. You can offer a free market analysis to homeowners or a free real estate investment seminar. You can provide free gifts, market update newsletters or promotional items to potential customers designed to keep your name in from of them. You can host a party or barbeque to thank your previous customers and use the opportunity to ask for referrals.

7. If you are doing mailings, include information that might make the mailing useful to keep. Potential clients are likely to read and keep this mailing.

8. Some brokers do not like to do BPO’s (Broker Price Opinions) because they do not pay very much. However, many of these properties are in the process of being foreclosed upon. When the property foreclosure is completed, these companies will need a listing agent and they will already know you.

While this list is not exhaustive and there are many other options, it provides a good starting point. The real key to successfully obtaining real estate leads is consistently working to obtain them.