Tech Savvy Grandpa

Real estate professionals who have come through this challenging real estate market should be fully prepared to take advantage of new steady growth that is coming in the near future. As consumer confidence begins to increase, so will home sales. However our industry needs to step up to the plate and sharpen our competitive edge by using good old fashion service integrated with new technology and innovation. Here are 10 areas that REALTORS can plan to implement and become proficient at over the winter months of 2011 and early 2012. Maybe it would be a great idea to include them in your 2012 business plan.

1. Practitioners need to be proficient in Blogging, social media, marketing, and how to work with the e-consumer once they contact you. That starts with having an Internet plan that includes your own domain name, a site that includes IDX, and landing pages that allow for lead generation. Remember that you’re  a REALTOR, not a Technology Guru. Hire someone to set you up, so you can do what you’re best at, sell real estate.
2. Professional development, learning new trends, and adapting to a more complex industry are a must for brokers, sales managers, and real estate agents. That starts by deciding what classes you intend to pursue, what events like Real Estate Bar Camps, conventions, or boot camps that will sharpen your skills for the future.
3. as professionals we must adapt to new business strategies that enhance our knowledge, give quality service, and meet the demands of the e-consumer. With today’s innovation in cloud computing, electronic forms online and geo-location, there is opportunity for every agent to respond with faster consumer response and customer service. Make sure your plan includes taking advantage of these additional services.
4. Basics have been around for years when it comes to marketing homes. That means plenty of great looking photos (12-24) Clean bright attractive looking signage, well prepared seller with well priced homes in good condition. Preparing our sellers in advance to well prepared homes to show makes houses sell faster and for more money.
5.  Having the proper equipment to do business always adds to productivity, however you can’t own every new shiny object that comes along. A well prepared and motivated agent could do well with a lap top computer and iPhone in today’s market. Having the right software is another area that needs to be included for your 2012 plan. The best software is the software you use, when it comes to real estate contacts, CMA’s, and lead generation. Narrow it down to the basics and master those first, before adding additional.
6. Prospecting for business has to be part of your overall plan. The real estate business is still a people business that requires building relationships and trust. Consumers still expect Realtors to deliver quality service. These duties have never changed. Build your prospecting plan around great customer service that includes offering the consumer a wealth of information to make informed decisions on buying and selling real estate.
7.  Time Management, you cannot be all things to all people. Decide what you plan to specialize in and do it well by giving 110%. Refer the rest, so you can focus on getting great results at what you do best. An example would be, never taking bank owned foreclosures, or short sales, so you can concentrate on move up sellers, relocation and executive listings. If you allow this business to get you going in a hundred directions, it will. Your time management is a must to avoid burnout.
8. Have Fun: If it’s no fun, than you shouldn’t do it. Yes, sometimes we have to do what’s hard and necessary, versus what’s fun and easy in this business. Plus, if it was easy, everyone would be selling real estate. Those days are now gone. What I mean by having fun, is having enough passion for your real estate career that you enjoy getting up in the morning or putting those extra hours in to help families get happily moved. If not, you may want to reevaluate your career.
9. Get help with your career. If you don’t ask you don’t get. There are numerous opportunities to network with other peers in the business that can tell you whats working for them and what was a waste of time. I would suggest you join a few of these groups and take full advantage to ask questions and contribute. One example is a group on Facebook set up by Jimmy Mackin called Tech Support Group for Real Estate Agents with well over 1000 members and a wealth of knowledge, you’ll learn so much and save time solving challenges that come your way. I can give you plenty of others upon request.
10. Raise the Bar: Our industry gets a bad rap from many when it comes to professionalism. I’m a believer that if you’re here reading this you’re one of us who believe we need to raise the bar when it comes to how we do business and go over the top with our clients and customers for customer service and providing each of them with an experience versus just another transaction. Make 2012 the year to focus on professionalism in our industry. many sources are available through the National Association of REALTORS, Young Professionals Network (YPN) and now you can become  a Verified Professional Agent™ (VPA) which is based on results, not just classes you take. Watch for more information on the Verified Professional Agent™ coming very soon.