Every time I talk to someone about my business and career, it always arises that “they’ve thought about engaging in real estate” or know someone who has. With so many people considering getting into real estate, and getting into real estate – why aren’t there more lucrative Realtors in the world? Well, there’s only so much business to go around, so there can only be so many REALTORS in the world. I feel, however, that the inherent nature of the business, and how different it really is from traditional careers, helps it be difficult for the average indivdual to successfully make the transition into the Real Estate Business. As a brokerage, I see many new agents make their way into my office – for an interview, and sometimes to begin with their careers. Best Properties for Rent and Sale in Austin New REALTORS bring many great qualities to the table – plenty of energy and ambition – however they also make a lot of common mistakes. Listed below are the 7 top mistakes rookie Real Estate Agents Make.
1) No Business Plan or Business Strategy
So many new agents put all their emphasis on which PROPERTY Brokerage they’ll join when their shiny new license comes in the mail. Why? Because most new Real Estate Agents have never been in business for themselves – they’ve only worked as employees. They, mistakenly, think that getting into the Real Estate business is “obtaining a new job.” What they’re missing is that they are about to go into business for themselves. If you’ve ever opened the doors to ANY business, you understand that among the key ingredients can be your business plan. Your business plan helps you define where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and what it’s going to take for you yourself to make your real estate business a success. Here are the requirements of worthwhile business plan:
A) Goals – What would you like? Make them clear, concise, measurable, and achievable.
B) Services You Provide – you don’t desire to be the “jack of all trades & master of none” – choose residential or commercial, buyers/sellers/renters, and what area(s) you want to specialize in. New residential real estate agents tend to have probably the most success with buyers/renters and then move on to listing homes after they’ve completed several transactions.
C) Market – who are you marketing yourself to?
D) Budget – consider yourself “new agent, inc.” and jot down EVERY expense that you have – gas, groceries, cellular phone, etc… Then write down the brand new expenses you’re taking on – board dues, increased gas, increased cell usage, marketing (essential), etc…
E) Funding – how are you going to pay for your budget w/ no income for the first (at the very least) 60 days? With the goals you’ve set for yourself, when do you want to break even?
F) Marketing Plan – how are you going to obtain the word out about your services? The MOST effective way to market yourself would be to your own sphere of influence (people you understand). Make sure you do so effectively and systematically.
2) Not Using the Best Possible Closing Team
They say the best businesspeople surround themselves with people that are smarter than themselves. It takes a fairly big team to close a transaction – Buyer’s Agent, Listing Agent, Lender, INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL, Title Officer, Inspector, Appraiser, and sometimes more! As a Real Estate Agent, you are in the position to refer your client to whoever you choose, and you should be certain that anyone you refer in will undoubtedly be a secured asset to the transaction, not someone who will bring you more headache. And the closing team you refer in, or “put your name to,” is there to make you shine! When they perform well, you can take part of the credit as you referred them into the transaction.
The deadliest duo out there is the New Real Estate Agent & New LARGE FINANCIAL COMPANY. They get together and decide that, through their combined marketing efforts, they can take over the planet! They’re both focusing on the right part of their business – marketing – but they’re doing one another no favors by choosing to provide each other business. If you refer in a bad insurance agent, it might result in a minor hiccup in the transaction – you make a simple phone call and a new agent can bind the property in less than one hour. However, because it typically takes at least two weeks to close a loan, if you are using an inexperienced lender, the result can be disastrous! You may find yourself ready of “begging for a contract extension,” or worse, being denied a contract extension.
An excellent closing team will typically learn than their role in the transaction. Due to this, you can turn to them with questions, and they’ll step in (quietly) when they visit a potential mistake – since they want to help you, and in exchange receive more of your business. Using good, experienced players for your closing team will let you infinitely in conducting business worth MORE business…and best of all, it’s free!
Find the best properties for rent and sale in Austin, Texas with our expert real estate listings. Start your search now and make Austin your new home today!
Austin Texas