Three Best Practices for New and Experienced REALTORS®

Whether you’ve recently planted your first sign in a yard, or have been selling real estate for years, it’s important to understand the basics and let them work for you.  For new REALTORS® , this could mean learning the ropes and creating good habits.  For seasoned pros, this could be mean re-evaluating what’s working, what isn’t, and why; resetting your routine to include some of these simple best practices could pay serious dividends.

Face-to-Face Meetings

This may seem like a no-brainer, but with the ease of texting, email, and social media, face-to-face meetings can easily be replaced.  In 2018, the NAR Profile of Buyers and Sellers showed that 75% of sellers only interview one agent.  This makes creating opportunities to meet in person very valuable.  Whenever possible arrange to meet your prospects and clients physically.

Contracts and Documentation

Your knowledge and expertise are what sets you apart.  While the process of buying and selling a home is a complex one, your clients depend on you to not only understand it but to clearly and effectively communicate with them.  Everything that is printed, read, and signed plays a significant role in the transaction.  Being able to smoothly fill out each item from a purchase agreement to disclosure documents is a valuable skill.  If you are just starting, begin reviewing these contracts and practice filling them out.  If you’ve got your system down already, see if there are any improvements you can make to either streamline the process or make it a better experience for your client.

Leverage Referrals

Referrals continue to be a tried and true source for prospects and clients.  Leveraging the relationships that you have and that you are establishing is a very productive way to keep your pipeline filled.  Remember to ask for referrals throughout a transaction with an existing client.  Ask when you begin working with them, again when you have a property under contract, and again at the closing table .  If you have former clients, they are an excellent resource for referrals as well.  It never hurts to reach out and see if they know anyone that could use your services.