A realistic timeline

Your client decides to build their own home and, understandably, they want to get the process started as soon as possible. It is important to have realistic expectations on the timeline. On average, a single-family home in Massachusetts could take nine to ten months to build. Then factor in locating and buying land (including financing the purchase and construction), determining permits and zoning regulations, hiring contractors, engineers and architects and obtaining legal representation – they may be looking at an even longer period of time before they can move in.

There are also additional factors that can affect the timeline. One of the major bottlenecks is supply chain delays in materials. Since the builder cannot control supply issues, they tend to factor potential delivery delays into their schedule or only use in-stock materials. Your client may have to forego that marble tile from Italy to stay on schedule, but only they can decide if it’s worth holding up the project for specialty materials.

Incorrect or missing information in the permit application and other paperwork necessary can also cause delays and prevent the project starting on time. It behooves buyers to review all paperwork carefully to ensure there are no errors that could cause unexpected delays.

Establishing the budget

The first step in the home building process is to set a budget and determine how much your client can afford and wants to spend. Although this may seem obvious, many first-time homebuilders underestimate the importance of this step – or overlook it entirely. A lack of good budgeting can easily lead to cost overages and delays. When considering a budget, your client needs to also determine the type of loan they will need, which most often is a construction loan. The best course of action is to seek expert advice from their banker, accountant, and/or financial advisor on the type of loan to apply for, what amount they qualify for, and the application process.

Generally, when your client is assessing their financial situation, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Cost of land. The amount generally spent on purchasing the land that the new home will be built on can be estimated at approximately 20-25% of the overall cost of the project.
• Hidden expenses. Don’t overlook hidden expenses. These include extra site work needed for the land, the purchase of new furniture and fixtures, appliances, landscaping, and more. Comprehending financial limits allows your client to modify building plans to meet their needs.
• Market prices. Look into market prices for materials, labor, land in the desired location. The cost to build can vary significantly by state and region.
• Ask for advice. The builder or general contractor can advise your client on details in their budget as they relate to local market prices, as well as any state and local regulations they should be aware of that may have extra fees associated with them.

Finding and buying land

Choosing a plot of land is one of the most critical aspects of home building. You can always design a home to suit a landscape, but you may not be able to alter a landscape to accommodate a home. The configuration of rooms, the placement of windows, the location of the driveway and garage, and many other design elements will be affected by the land your client purchases. The cost of a plot of land should also be considered. Land prices in Massachusetts are some of the highest in the country, averaging roughly $102,214 per acre. However, the average cost of land for residential use in the Boston metropolitan area is significantly higher.

Paperwork, permits, and zoning

Building permits are required for all new construction and renovations in Massachusetts. Permits ensure that the house is built according to local building codes and rules and regulations to protect your client’s safety. There are penalties and potential fines for homeowners and contractors who begin projects without approved building permits. Additionally, if your client decides to sell their home in the future, it will be difficult to sell if the proper permits were never obtained.

If your client is using a general contractor to build the house, the contractor is typically responsible for obtaining and managing all the necessary building permits and inspections. Most permits can be obtained either in person or online with local municipalities. For new buildings, most cities/towns in Massachusetts require a long-form building permit application. To obtain the building permit, homeowners or general contractors need to complete the form and submit with the construction drawings to the local municipality. The cost of the building permit varies by municipality, so your client will need to check with the contractor or do their own research and factor this cost into their budget. They should also keep an eye out for additional permits that may be required along with the long-form building permit such as fire/smoke, plumbing, electrical, and so on.

Site prep, labor, and construction

This is where the fun part begins! Now that your client has found the perfect plot of land, and the financial paperwork and initial building permits are addressed, it’s now time to focus on the construction of their home.

If the land has many trees or uneven terrain, it can be costly to clear and prepare the property in order for construction to begin. Taking the time to consider the site and determine whether any alterations need to be made before developing construction plans are critical to both your client’s building plans and their budget. It is beneficial to hire a land surveyor or engineer before even purchasing the land to determine the viability of the land and to ensure success.

In Massachusetts, homebuilders are not required to have a license to build. Technically, anyone can build a house – although it is risky to do so alone. Much time, research, and dedication are required to manage the many aspects of homebuilding and ensure the house passes all safety and other inspections at the end of its construction. Not using a licensed builder may save on labor costs, but it will most likely cost your client in the long run. Homebuilding is not something people can learn as they go. A safer approach is to hire a licensed contractor to oversee the homebuilding process. A general contractor typically charges anywhere from 15% to 25% of the total project cost.

One of the biggest draws to buying land and building a house is the ability for buyers to make it into their dream home. Although building a home can be a lengthy and stressful process, an A-team consisting of real estate agents, a financial advisor, architect, general contractor and real estate attorney can ensure your client is set up for success.

While the below tips will get you well on your way, I must stress that the most vital aspect to your success is conducting your business with a high degree of customer service, integrity, and professionalism. If that is how you run things, these tips will get you to the top of your game.

So without further ado, here are my top five tips to acquire quality leads consistently.

No.1: Look Right In Front of You

The best leads come from the work you already have on your desk! Your clients are your best referral sources. If you provide them with excellent service, adding real value to their lives, they will be loyal advocates for you. Many people overlook this because it seems disorganized and a waste of time. But you get what you put in!

Call your clients and see how they are doing. Genuinely listen to their response, so you don’t risk coming off like you are just calling to get something from them. Then, let them know that if they have any friends or family who need assistance in real estate, you are there to help!

No. 2: Activate Your Existing Extended Network

Create campaigns by email or social media to alert everyone in your network about who you are, what you do, and your specialties. Let them know about your accomplishments and how you achieved them.

Don’t be shy. It can be hard to put yourself out there like that to people you know in real life, but that’s what lead generation is all about. You have to shout down every corridor. Communicate with your followers and friends about how you do things differently in your space, which will give them the information they need to help you get good leads in turn.

No. 3: Initiate a Referral Program

Referral sources are any professionals in your realm who may wish to refer your real estate services to their clients or friends. From attorneys and financial advisors to community managers and concierges, this avenue is seemingly endless, and you should treat it as such.

Offer to pay out a referral fee on closed deals to people you think might be interested and able to help you find new clients. By creating monetary value for them, they will be much more likely to create value for you!

No. 4: Add Value to the Residents on Your Farm Area

Creating a good habit of communication with your potential clientele and the residents of your farm area (the demographic in which you work) is fundamental to success. These people need to be aware of you and how you conduct business, which you can do in many ways.

You can send out mailers to the neighbors of properties you are trying to sell with market information, participate in community events to get to know people personally, or even organize events yourself. Become a face that people recognize and like — perhaps the people in this section will move to your followers and friends list!

No. 5: Tech Leads

Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are great if you have the time to set up a technology-led lead generation model. Since these leads don’t know you or your past happy clients, you will need a system to get them to trust you quickly. This method requires steady consistency and is a route most used by tech-savvy and seasoned realtors.

You must be persistent and OK with the fact that these leads might call several other realtors. If that doesn’t scare you, don’t leave this potentially profitable stone unturned!

Think of Tech Leads as a cherry on top. My first four tips should get you onto the road of real estate lead gen bliss!

About Matias Alem

Matias Alem is the Founder and CEO of BRG International, a Miami-based, multidisciplinary luxury Real Estate Brokerage and development company specializing in high-end real estate. With over 21 years of experience in Real Estate and over 120 million in sales in 2021 alone, BRG International is one of the leading Luxury Real Estate Boutique Companies in South Florida. Click here to discuss how BRG International can help you reimagine real estate: www.brgintl.com

HB: I used to be an early childhood teacher. All I ever wanted to do was teach, but when our son was a baby we struggled with his severe asthma. He was constantly being admitted to the PICU days at a time. I was forced to resign and choose something where I could be home if he needed me. It was the best decision I ever made for our family. Not only did it make it easier when he was sick, but it made our family stronger.

What first drew me to the real estate industry was the flexibility. I needed something that I could plan around my husband’s job, attend the kid’s events and still be able to tuck them in at night. But little did I know it takes hard work and years to get to that point. Only 13% of Realtors stay in the industry after five years because it is tough to gain clients and build an empire. You have to make sacrifices.

REAM: Tell us a little bit about the “empire” you’ve built.

HB: I was originally licensed in Massachusetts but knew I wanted to get my Connecticut license. I do equal business in both states and plan on getting my Rhode Island license in the next few weeks.

I recently transitioned to a larger company where I now lead The Blais Group at Gallagher Real Estate. I built myself from the ground up. My whole business motto is to give the people around me a resource whether they are another Realtor, a client or an affiliate. It’s all about who you know and what everyone can contribute to make sure the client is getting the best!

I pride myself on being super easy to work with as a co-broker and as a loyal Realtor to my clients. It took a long time to find the right boundaries.

My plan for The Blais Group is to have qualified Realtors whose focuses are to be good problem solvers who understand the local markets and honor our Code of Ethics. Knowledge is power, especially in the current market!

REAM: What are some common misconceptions when it comes to buying real estate?

HB: People are afraid to buy because they feel like it’s cheaper to rent and they are afraid of the hefty down payment. In most cases, 20% down payment isn’t needed! I always recommend for people to invest in themselves and build equity in a property they own. This is where my good resources come in. I pair up with great lenders and insurance agents who are not only good tools for my buyers, but continually teach me. Every single transaction is different, so I never stop growing as a professional.

REAM: Tell us about your work with VA loans.

HB: I have many skill-sets as a Realtor, but I pride myself on knowing VA loans in and out. In any market VA loans are a challenge to navigate, but in our current market, they are the bottom of the totem pole. A lot of procedures that used to make these loans difficult have changed, but they are still a strict loan that guarantees the buyer is getting a solid home for their money.

Listing agents and sellers have many misconceptions about the liability that can prohibit an accepted offer for my buyers, so I set aside a lot of time for my buyers to see homes. To overcome it, I will do requested appraisal repairs by myself or have my husband help me if we get pushback from the sellers. He’s been a great asset and support to my business.

Our military community deserves so much more than rejected offers. I am trying to slowly change that cringe people get when seeing “VA loan” at the top of a preapproval.

REAM: What does the future hold for you and your work?

Every single day is different and everyday holds its own count for success. I see on average about 15-20 clients a week from all different areas, military backgrounds and price ranges and scenarios. I’ve been seeing more overseas clients moving to New England after a deployment or our military families moving back home after being stationed out of state.

I’m excited to grow with my new company and build up The Blais Empire more. I’ve had a tremendous amount of support from my husband. Without him sacrificing personal time and taking over primary parenting, this would have been impossible. We both invested tremendously into my clients and my business.

The future of the market is up in the air, but a lot of people have their own predictions for what will happen. My suggestion is always prioritize yourself by investing in real estate. The market will always ebb and flow, but if you keep buying properties, they will sustain themselves. There’s never a wrong time, especially with a good Realtor to back you up.

Here is what 10 thought-leaders had to say:

• Showing the House As-is
• Forgetting Printed Materials
• Not Learning About Property Insurance
• Neglecting to Include Photos
• Ignoring the Need for Repairs and Upgrades
• Too Much Text in Listings
• Failing to Comp the Value of Nearby Properties
• Not Choosing the Right Marketing Strategy
• Agreeing to a Price that Will Never Sell
• Assuming All the Facts Are On the Table

Showing the House As-is

Many real estate agents will list a house and then show it as-is, with little regard to presentation. This is a mistake because the way a home is staged can make a big difference in whether or not the agent will be holding an open house. At the very least, make an effort to show how the home might look with furniture and appliances inside. With that in place, homebuyers can get a better idea of how it might look for them, and may feel enticed into making an offer.

Alisha Taylor, Alisha Taylor Interiors

Forgetting About Printed Marketing Materials

When listing a property, real estate agents prioritize taking high-quality photos — and rightly so. It’s those images that book showings. But one forgotten part of the selling process is having printed marketing materials, such as home sales flyers and promotional products at the property ready for every showing.

Homebuyers may have a list of homes they’ve visited on their phones but having a home sales flyer in hand of the house they loved can be the reminder that turns into a sale.

Eric Blumenthal, The Print Authority

Not Learning About Property Insurance

Real estate agents make the mistake of not going the extra mile by knowing about homeowners insurance (HOI) or commercial property insurance since it often factors into the overall price tag. Property insurance is typically a lender requirement. The cost associated with property insurance is often affected by the property’s location. For example, coastal properties due to their susceptibility to flooding, may come with a much higher property insurance cost. All additional costs and fees matter when it comes to buying or selling properties.

Vicky Franko, Insura

Neglecting to Include Photos

Failing to include photos of a property is a big no-no. Many potential home buyers prefer to do real estate research online, and if your MLS listings don’t have photos, they may pass right over them no matter how enticing the property otherwise is. The housing market is hot right now, but it’s not so hot that you can neglect taking and including photos in your listings. Always include photos, and post as many as you can to help buyers get an idea of what’s for sale.

Rod Cullum, Cullum Homes

Ignoring the Need for Repairs and Upgrades

If listing a property that desperately needs some cosmetic upgrades or repairs, there’s every chance prospective buyers will balk at paying more than its perceived value. First impressions are everything. So, if it’s at all possible, when faced with helping sell a home that could use some cosmetic repairs, agents should encourage their clients to get those done before listing. Failing to do so could lead to delays, headaches, and heartache for both sellers and buyers.

Todd Sriro, Be.On Stone

Too Much Text in Listings

Sometimes real estate agents can include too much text in their real estate listings. While it’s good to give people useful information in these listings, it’s also important to catch people’s attention with descriptions that give the main highlights and that are not too long. At the end of the day you don’t want to bore the reader. Keep your listing descriptions clear, concise, and intriguing with a high-quality picture.

Matt Woods, SOLD.com

Failing to Comp the Value of Nearby Properties

Failing to comp the value of nearby houses to ensure a listed selling price is appropriate may cause issues down the road. A property may appraise in a way that causes potential buyers to back out if they’ll have to put down more upfront. Even in a seller’s market, a house that seems overpriced can cause it to sit for far longer than other houses for sale in the same neighborhood. And if priced too low, you could lose out on a sizable commission.

Lily Yu, Oak Springs Realty

Not Choosing the Right Marketing Strategy

A common mistake many real estate agents make is not choosing the right marketing strategy when listing a property. This can be due to upfront branding costs, license fees, camera equipment, and others.

A lot of property dealers come into the industry with the preconceived notion of making big bucks. But in reality, they aren’t aware it takes money to make some because of the competitive market.

So, investing in equipment and marketing are essential. You can use online advertising and other traditional means, such as billboards, television, etc.

The money starts flowing when you use branding tactics that work best for you!

Keith Sant, Kind House Buyers

Assuming All the Facts Are On the Table

Real estate agents often make one mistake and that is assuming all the facts are on the table.

They sometimes neglect to mention important details such as costs that a client is unaware of. This creates awkward situations where the client thinks they’ve been duped with extra costs.

Other times agents fail to maintain correspondence when there is nothing new to report. It feels natural to do this when there aren’t any updates. But checking in is necessary because the client isn’t aware of market trends like an agent is.

Suppose the listing prices go down over the course of a few weeks. When you call up the client to let them know the final selling price, they feel taken aback. You could have avoided this situation if you had stayed more in touch.

Cristina Ortega, Mrs Property Solutions

Agreeing to a Price that Will Never Sell

Sometimes, real estate agents agree to a price that will never sell. This is the biggest mistake they make.

Sellers tend to convince agents that they’ll be able to sell an overpriced listing if they work hard. But it’s important to go with your gut. Do not take the listing if the seller asks for a sky-rocketing price.

Overpriced listings tend to linger on the market for a long time. If you know that a property won’t ever sell at such a high price, then it’s best to walk away.

What you should do instead is find realistic sellers. These people are the ones who understand the value of their homes. Otherwise, you’ll only be wasting time on a property that wouldn’t sell.

Liz Hutz, Cash Home Buyers North Carolina

At some point, the novelty of this new career wears off. Working weekends and late nights can be exhausting and consistently finding and converting leads can feel unachievable. Add in the impossible task of navigating an unpredictable real estate market during the pandemic, and it is not surprising that so many Realtors have burned out and left the industry recently.

As a veteran of the real estate industry, this post-COVID (or current-COVID) culture still feels new to all of us. The emotional turmoil that Realtors experienced during the last two years would shake even the most dedicated professional. First came anxiety when business came to a screeching halt in 2020 and no one knew when they could rely on consistent commissions. Then, home prices soared and outrageous home offers became the norm. While it was an amazing time financially for some Realtors, the pressure and stress was exhausting and overwhelming for all.

There are times that it feels that this career is just too hard. I see you, I hear you, and I am here to tell you that there is a path forward that does not mean leaving your real estate business behind. The first step is to admit how you feel. Say it out loud, and surround yourself with people that understand how you feel and can lift you up. Recognize that you are going through a rough patch and are not the first or the last person who has contemplated packing up their office and moving to the Caribbean.

The best way to avoid burnout is not to get to the point where you feel hopelessly overwhelmed. You can maintain your business and sanity by setting concrete goals for yourself. How many transactions do you need per month to reach your financial objectives? What is your 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year goal? After you have established that, break it down into 12-week increments. What can you do in the next 12 weeks to get closer to your yearly or multi-year goals?

Operating your business in short 12-week bursts will help you stay focused and avoid the pit of despair or getting pulled off course by the shiny object syndrome. Then, after your 12 weeks, review your successes, lessons learned, and get out of the rat race for a planned break. Planning a regular break is critical to avoiding burnout. There is freedom and joy in stepping away, even if it is only a brief moment. Whether it is a week vacation or a weekend at home, a break allows you to hit the reset button and return ready to work ready to thrive.

Lastly, when you know you are close to burnout, seek out a mentor for guidance. Working in a silo is not a good idea for someone who feels inundated. Find someone you trust and talk to that person about your current state. Commiserating with a mentor is an amazing opportunity to feel heard and work through your pain points. Finding someone who will hold you accountable will help keep you motivated and may just push you further than you thought was possible.

Real estate is a fast-paced, highly competitive business. It often feels like it never stops and the hamster wheel won’t relent. However, knowing that you are not running a marathon but working in 12-week bursts will help you move forward to keep you from burning out. The most important aspect to remember is that nothing changes without action.

Over the past decade, there have been significant strides in how brokerages and agents utilize technology. It is often – at the most basic levels – incorporated into agents’ sales and marketing funnels. From websites to eblasts and newsletters, agents have invested time in creating customized content that aims to attract new clients. However, despite these advancements, there is still plenty of room to revolutionize the way technology is used to both market and sell real estate.

Now more than ever, it’s faster and easier to connect with potential buyers, and keep up to date on what’s happening in the market. Yet sometimes, we can be blinded by the chaos and forget that buyers are consumers of goods and services, and to successfully communicate with them, we must remember the human aspect.  As such, the sales and marketing process needs to focus more on personalization, evoking a sense of empathy and creating an elevated and humanized consumer journey.

It’s no surprise that marketing plays an integral role in the entire real estate process, as it’s the primary method of communication between you and potential prospects. Today, with technology at our disposal, digital marketing remains a driving force in shaping the way we interact with our target audiences.  With more technological innovations forthcoming, digital marketing will continue to be the primary method used to generate qualified leads and convert them into successful sales.

The advancements in digital marketing allow us to collect invaluable data that explains the thoughts, feelings, needs and desires of homebuyers. By utilizing this data, agents can develop tailored buyer profiles. Determining traits such as location, price point, square footage, and other details, allow you to accurately deduce what characteristics may impact a buyer’s decision-making process. Through various digital marketing tactics, you can effectively collect information and data about what inspires your consumers and what prompts engagement.

You need to utilize today’s technology to elevate the consumer journey, optimize engagement and increase conversion. Using real-time data, you can effectively generate leads and nurture prospects based on behaviors, interactions and touchpoints.

So how can utilizing cutting-edge technology increase conversion rates?

Simply put, by streamlining the sales funnel. To get there, it’s first important to understand the role that digital marketing plays in full funnel optimization. The biggest goal of any digital marketing campaign is to generate traffic and create new leads that ultimately result in sales. A strong digital presence is one of the most effective ways to reach your audience, but in the current crowded landscape, it’s important to provide numerous touchpoints – both online and offline. Touchpoints should be personalized across each step of the consumer journey as these greatly contribute to the decision-making process.

Digital marketing is a tool that will continue to have a profound impact on the way we market and sell real estate. Most importantly, it will allow agents to intelligently connect with buyers through analytics, which in turn, provides a more comprehensive understanding of buyers’ demands. Through distinct algorithms, agents can glean valuable insights and effective data about buyers, sellers and renters.

Understanding that not every consumer’s journey will be the same is also an important factor to consider. Today’s consumers expect a certain level of personalization, and with the tools and technologies available, lead nurturing has become much simpler. A successful lead nurturing campaign focuses on listening to the needs of prospects and providing the appropriate information and answers – it’s about building trust and maintaining connection until that prospect is interested in making a purchase. New marketing automation platforms allow teams to develop flexible communication practices tailored to where a buyer is in their purchase process. Not only can you personalize interactions with interested buyers, but you can also use data to monitor their behaviors and interactions, optimizing future campaigns to fit their needs.

In order to create a successful funnel, it’s paramount for agents to bridge the gap between the often-siloed structure of sales and marketing. As the consumer journey continues to evolve, digital marketing strategies will play an instrumental role in creating unique buyer experiences.  By actively implementing digital tools, agents can more effectively source, identify and nurture prospective buyers, and increase sales conversion.

The technology and resources we have at our fingertips will undoubtedly reinvent the future of real estate.

To help realtors with their social media efforts, we asked real estate experts and business leaders this question for their best ideas. From leveraging LinkedIn to creating real estate marketing videos, there are several suggestions that may help you boost your online marketing strategy to attract new clients through social media. 

Here are 12 ways to improve your real estate social media marketing: 

• Leverage LinkedIn for Potentials Buyers
• Try a Little Humor
• Feature a Home of the Week
• Use Hashtags Effectively
• Add Testimonials on Instagram
• Answer FAQs in Weekly Posts
• Start Using Tik Tok for Marketing
• Enable Immediate Sales Calls
• Write Blog Posts With Real Estate Tips
• Create Real Estate Marketing Videos
• Utilize Chatbots in Your Sales Process
• Help Clients Declutter

Leverage LinkedIn for Potentials Buyers

From an interior designer standpoint, we found that real estate marketing is about making connections and building trust with potential buyers and sellers. So, using LinkedIn is a great addition to your marketing strategy to reach out directly to potential clients. 

A good way to use LinkedIn for real estate social media marketing is to construct a personal brand for yourself as a realtor. Create content to position yourself as a thought leader, industry expert, and trusted resource for home buyers and sellers. This can include staging tips from an interior design colleague, finance tips to prepare for the buying process, or details about closed deals with client reviews.

Alisha Taylor, Alisha Taylor Interiors

Try a Little Humor

The real estate market can be difficult to decipher for both real estate agents and homebuyers today. So to lighten up the room, why not try a little humor whenever the situation arises? 

Memes can be a great way to lighten the load while simultaneously getting your message out there on social media. You don’t even need to spend any money to do this. The right image and the right copy will bring a good laugh to your audience, grabbing the right kind of attention for your brand.

Lily Yu, Oak Springs Realty

Feature a Home of the Week

When it comes to real estate, potential clients are looking to see the types of homes they will have access to. A Home of the Week can highlight the variety of homes that a realtor works with, providing details that will catch the eye of the intended homeowner.

Beth Baranski, Markitors

Use Hashtags Effectively

Realtors can tap into a huge market by using hashtags for social media marketing. They should come up with creative and catchy hashtags that describe their posts in a detailed fashion. 

They can even do a simple search on popular hashtags that depict the real estate industry. For instance, if they are posting about new homes for sale in New York, then #newyorkhomesforsale is the hashtag they can use to connect with interested people.

Raaquib Pathan, FastPath Home Buyers

Add Testimonials on Instagram

Instagram has powerful marketing potential for realtors looking to reach a larger audience. One way you can harness the power of Instagram and build a larger organic audience of followers is by posting testimonials of previous clients you have worked with. 

After working with a satisfied client, request a short video testimonial that discusses how and why your client would recommend that another person works with you. Edit and post this content occasionally throughout your Instagram page and stories. 

This is a great way to diversify your content and highlight real-life reviews of the results you are able to produce. Over time, your testimonials on Instagram will work to build your credibility and success as a realtor.

Than Merrill, FortuneBuilders

Answer FAQs in Weekly Posts

Make a note of questions you get from your clients. Chances are, those are on the mind of many prospective clients. Start a weekly Q&A post where you answer one of those questions in a post or video. It will show your depth of knowledge, and you can build a library that you can archive in Highlights on Instagram or on your website in a feed.

Tanya Gagnon, Miss Details

Start Using Tik Tok for Marketing

In today’s world, there are so many different platforms a realtor can utilize to gain more of a following and attention around their properties. One amazing way is by utilizing Tik Tok! 

There are many ways to go about this. You can stick to traditional property tours, or you can get creative and create content that goes along with current Tik Tok trends. Many realtors have gone viral on Tik Tok, so it’s a good idea to look at those accounts for inspiration!

Brooke Wilson, Fabric

Enable Immediate Sales Calls

Realtors can leverage the power of Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram’s ability to accurately segment potential customers, thereby improving the efficiency of the overall marketing budget.

In my experience, when I was house-hunting, I came across a realtor that had set up a one-click Facebook page that immediately linked me to a video call with a sales representative via Zoom or Google Meets.

The real estate agent knew which property I was interested in and even provided other properties in the adjacent areas. This was fantastic because the transition was seamless, and it did not require me to pick up my phone and call. I thought this was an innovative use of social media marketing in the real estate space.

Mogale Modisane, ToolsGaloreHQ

Write Blog Posts With Real Estate Tips

Social marketing is one of the marketing trends since 2020 that, until now, is growing. Real estate agencies should take advantage of the benefits that social media has to offer in terms of marketing. 

One social media marketing idea I recommend you try is creating blog posts about real estate tips. Anyone in social media dreams to have a house of their own, so posting this kind of content will hook their attention and might inspire them to share your post, which is good for your agency. 

Cameron Miller, Cameron Miller Real Estate

Create Real Estate Marketing Videos 

No matter what type of real estate you’re selling, you should use video as part of your social media strategy. A picture is worth a thousand words; that’s true. But if a photo can help generate more leads, a video may be the reason those leads turn into sales. 

Footage not only lets the realtor showcase the property in detail but also allows the viewer to feel like they’re roaming around and checking out the place by themselves. The best thing to do is to hire a professional to shoot and edit a video of your real estate. 

But if you’re on a budget, you can do it yourself. All you need is a smartphone and a video editing tool. Just remember to keep it short. A video between two and six minutes is best. If you create a video longer than that, you risk losing your viewer’s attention. 

As for the type of videos you should post on your social media pages, consider making listing videos, live open-houses, before and after renovations, advice videos, and testimonials.

Estrella Alvarado, Brafton

Utilize Chatbots in Your Sales Process

Things can move fast in real estate. When I was an office manager for a real estate firm, I was surprised to see that no one used chatbots. Chatbots are cheap and not a particularly difficult tool to set up. 

They’re great at doing the easy, time-consuming, rote, and preliminary part of a sales process. Check out Intercom or ManyChat.

Karen Zachary, Anchor Virtual Assistants

Help Clients Declutter

Time and time again, I see homes for sale that are staged with a Pod sitting outside, making me wonder how the seller REALLY lives and where storage is. Teach your followers (via TikTok then recast on Facebook and Instagram) how to declutter, clean a room in 10 minutes, or any other strategic home hacks that allow a seller to get ready to sell — without a headache!

Erin Lubien, Empoweru Consulting Group

To help real estate agents integrate technology into their business, we asked other real estate agents and business professionals this question for their best tips. From automated invoicing to getting help from a virtual assistant, there are several tools that may help you for growing your business.  

Here are ten tech tools for real estate agents: 

• Process Documents With Ease
• Train Against Phishing
• Automate Invoicing
• Manage Client Keys
• Keep Track of Emails
• Create High-Quality Images
• Enable Work on the Go
• Get Help From a Virtual Assistant
• Get Leads in the Area
• Optimize Your Online Presence

Process Documents With Ease 

For real estate agents looking for top tech tools to improve clients’ home buying or selling experience, I would recommend the iFax app. This online application is a great faxing solution for sending and receiving relevant real estate forms, close deals, and contracts. I have found the tool extremely useful when trying to create efficiencies for document processing, and the tool has been helping Realtors and Real Estate companies for over a decade. 

Eli Patashnik, iFax

Train Against Phishing 

Phishing training for your real estate agents. With the number of documents being signed, you need to ensure your people are trained on how to protect themselves online to prevent a potential data breach from a cyber attack that exposes sensitive client information. A cyber attack could be crippling to any real estate company.

Nick Santora, Curricula

Automate Invoicing

Helping businesses in the real estate sector for the past 10 years has made me realize that invoicing is one front that needs perfection to sustain in marketing. Our software has a drag–and–drop interface. The in-built library of tons of templates is a huge plus point. It supports customization in every possible manner. This tech tool will make your real-estate business go paperless completely. After the implementation of an invoicing software, making automated, accurate, and timed invoicing is very much possible. 

Eden Cheng, WeInvoice

Manage Client Keys

I would recommend that any estate agent looks into using a key management platform. A key management platform makes it easy to keep track of your keys. You know where they are at all times, who has them, and when they’ll be returned. This also tracks and stores the data so that, at any point, you’re able to see who had which key at what time. If one goes missing, you’ll know who has it or which member of staff has lost it. If your platform is anything like Keyhive.io, you’ll also get automated reminders so that you never forget to return a key. Similarly, management will get notification of late keys and they’ll be able to chase their teams so that the keys can be returned to the office. I would always recommend that both real estate agents and rental agents shop around for a key management platform that works for them. 

Aaron Cambden, Fairview Estates

Keep Track of Emails 

Real estate agents tend to deal with a lot of different customers, which can become quite confusing and even difficult to keep track of who they have and have not answered. Therefore, I believe that some of the best tech tools that real estate agents should use are those which help with the management of emails and other communications. Communication is a big part of running every business, and when you’re dealing directly with your consumers– and a lot of the communications are done online beforehand– it’s that much more important. If you have access to tools that allow you to communicate more effectively, or to help you to see where you can improve your communications, you’re sitting on a hypothetical goldmine in terms of growing your business as well as your reputation.

Tarah Darge, Time to Reply

Create High-Quality Images

The real estate market is super hot and realtors need to get their listings seen now! Nothing attracts buyers like high-res images and HD videos of homes for sale. Sure, photos are quick to snap, but videos attract more buyers. When you’re on the road most of the day, using a mobile app to create those videos is a must-do. With apps like Adobe Premiere Rush and Magisto, you can create high-quality tours and walk-throughs on your phone. Polishing up your video presentations is made easy with filters, text, logos, and music. Once your feature is complete, load it up to your social media and watch the responses come in!

Tyler Forte, Felix Homes

Enable Work on the Go 

The mobile Compass app is the top tech tool for a real estate agent. This amazing resource means that an agent always has access to their data in one place and it also provides them with key information about each property so they can make valuable decisions on the spot! It’s especially helpful when you’re out of the office or driving around town or even taking a break from work.

Altay Gursel, Metriculum

Get Help From a Virtual Assistant 

Real estate agents are constantly on the go. Whether they’re meeting with a client, showing a home, or working with a lender, a lot of people demand their time and attention. It’s easy for important lead opportunities to be lost through missed calls or insufficient information when a real estate agent has such a packed schedule. By implementing a 24/7 live chat service on their real estate website, they can ensure that they never miss a lead again and that potential clients and partners will always receive immediate assistance and feedback.

Jessica Wise, HelpSquad

Get Leads in the Area

Curb Call is an amazing tech tool that we can recommend to real estate agents for a certain reason. With the help of this tool, you can receive an alert from a buyer who needs to see a place right away. Here real estate agents can select the option that they’re available to show nearby homes, and if a purchaser is supposed to see something near you right away, you’ll get a notification. By using this software as a real estate agent you can enhance the quality of your work  and therefore win the potential buyer’s trust as they can rely upon you whenever needed. There are no second thoughts about the fact that immediacy in response is always good when it comes to dealing with clients and improving the quality of the whole working process. You can now use this platform to connect with buyers in real-time. All those customers who don’t have a go-to agent will love to try out this tool as it provides them with what they look for within the convenience of an instant response.

Caroline Lee, CocoSign

Optimize Your Online Presence 

Google My Business is for local merchants. A real estate agent deals with people looking for local housing. On your Google My Business page, you can list your regular hours and holiday hours. You can have testimonials from previous clients and images showcasing your homes for sale. The Google My Business team is supportive of users’ needs should you run into problems. Today, Google My Business is like a White Pages for local vendors. For all these reasons, I recommend Google My Business.

Janice Wald, Mostly Blogging Academy

REAM: What steps can homeowners make in an effort to create a spa-like bathroom at home?

JT: Double showers are a must! We often recommend double showers with rain heads, hand-held features, and multiple faucets to create a truly relaxing experience. Another option is  adding a body sprayer, which we will customize to their height so it hits perfectly. A mistake people make in their bathrooms includes installing their shower heads too far from each other, a good rule of thumb would be to position them roughly 1 foot away from one another. Another popular addition is adding technology where everything can be controlled from your phone or an iPad on the wall.

REAM: What materials, colors, and products do you recommend for a calm and luxurious bathroom?

JT: Personally, I like using dark with colors such as charcoal, because if you include speakers it is often a tonal look, which is very sleek and clean and as a result minimal distractions so you can relax. If you’re looking for something lighter, both marble and stone are beautiful and often we match that same stone in the countertop so it’s uniform.

REAM: What about the layout of a bathroom? Anything you recommend?

JT: I would recommend always dividing the vanity so each person has their own space (and storage!) and some privacy. It is also important to consider how each client actually lives, for instance, will you actually take a bath or are you just including for aesthetic reasons so we recommend coming from a place of functionality when considering the layout. It changes how we design, for example I prefer to have a drop down tub for those who use it frequently instead of a free-standing tub where you’d be limited on space. Always consider the room as a whole, if you do have a free-standing tub, however, I always like to put it next to a window or a place where you can add a shelf to add room for shampoo, soap, etc.

REAM: What about lighting? What to consider when creating a spa-like bathroom?

JT: We recommend three different types.

1. Normal can lights.
2. Mood lighting is great, which can be achieved with a dimmer for a spa-like feeling.
3. Specialty Lighting that we can use inside the shower called “chromotherapy light.” LED lighting that can change to any color you want inside the shower. You control it from your digital iPad. If you’re looking for something more exciting, you can use one color for a more relaxed look and feel, or you can use a different color as well.

REAM: Why do you feel like the bathroom is the most important space in the home?

JT: We believe that a well-designed bathroom can make you a better person, which may seem like a bold statement but it’s not. Our focus is on the details, from design to specific features, which can take a variety of forms from upgrading the shower to include aromatherapy, steam, and speakers. Each client is unique and what they see as a luxury is what we focus on. For someone, that may be spa-like features to unwind after a stressful day, for others that may be speakers so you are able to listen to a podcast in peace before work and the bonus is the heated floor. Our goal is to always have our client to feel that they have exactly what they wanted in a space we created, now in the comfort of their own home, which we’ve all spent plenty of time in over the past twelve months.

REAM: What are your clients’ typical requests when they hire you?

JT: Typically, clients come to us for a complete remodel and are often most focused on how we can transform the shower experience. The question we get most often is how can we create a spa-like experience for them at home. We then tailor the design to the space of their dreams which often includes a revised design to allow for sitting and steaming along with added technology to allow for aromatherapy, lighting, sound, and of course, heated floors for when they finally step out.