REALTORS

Successful Real Estate Agents

7 Habits of Highly Successful Real Estate Agents

Recently, Mr. Scott Dixon, President of the real estate division, Network Communications, reports the seven habits of successful real estate agents. His company commissioned a study through OSR Research of more than 1,000 top agents to learn how they create and sustain successes in this recently turned real estate market. Some agents have reverted to the basics and are doing them in a more aggressive manner, while others are thinking “outside-the-box” to stimulate more business. The results of this study are summarized below:

Habit #1 – Invest in Marketing — Top agents know that to build their business and attract a high amount of activity they must invest in their own business. The average of these agents revealed that they spend about $7,500 a year on marketing…that computes to approximately 8.4% of their income. They spend their funds on advertising, internet promotion, direct mail, e-mail and personal websites. The top tier of these agents spends approximately 10% of their income in similar marketing approaches to get their name in front of consumers frequently and professionally.

Habit #2 — Spread the Wealth — Smart agents don’t put all their marketing eggs in one basket and they don’t take shortcuts. About 25% of their budget is spend on real estate magazines and related websites; 25% on their personal website; and 25% on all internet marketing. They realize that the home shopper starts researching on the internet, looking everywhere for information. They make sure their personal brand is everywhere – in print, online and all around town.

Habit #3 — Track Your Results — The high majority (approximately 85 % of the study group) measure their results. They want to spend they money where they get the best results. They monitor phone numbers, leads to closed sales, and sources used to attract their leads. They make no assumptions, says President Dixon.

Habit #4 — Set Clear Marketing Goals — 76% of the agents asked considers marketing essential to their getting and maintaining listings. They strive to show sellers exactly how they attract buyers, gain more good prospects and sell more homes.

Habit #5 — Experiment with New Technology — 25% of the agents are testing new tools like blogs and social media. They don’t abandon the tried-and-true sources, but explore the “new” after their base advertising decisions. They evidently are not afraid to experiment with the new media.

Habit #6 — Stand Out from The Crowd — The top leaders in the tested field likes to appear larger and more prominent within their recognized brands.

Habit #7 — Work with Market Leaders — They believe the consumers like to deal with brands they know and trust.

While one test group does not prove everything it does give an opportunity for an agent to examine what it is they are doing within their own business. Explore these items and compare to your own business model and see what you might like to change, expand, and/or abandon. Develop strong, productive habits.