So your young, tech savvy and full of energy. You will let nothing get in your way of your success. Perhaps your new to the business or maybe you are a “3 year veteran”. Either way I see young agents making too many key mistakes in this business. Here are just a few:
- Get Off of Facebook and Pick Up the Phone! Social networking is a great way to find out where your friends will be drinking two for one beers tonight but it doesn’t count as prospecting time. No website will ever replace picking up the phone, calling someone in your sphere of influence and simply reminding them you are in the business of real estate. You would be amazed at what kind of response you will get when you ask a friend if they know of anyone that needs to buy or sell a home.
- Just “Winging” It. We are all guilty of this from time to time but the real estate industry has more professionals living month to month than any other profession becuase they simply don’t have a plan. You are a business owner! You may not have any employees or overhead but if you don’t treat your real estate sales like a business, you will quickly be out of business. Sit down today and put together a schedule for the next week. Set time aside for prospecting every day. Set aside time to call sellers and evaluate their price. Also, set aside time for personal improvement and education. When you are finished with that plan the next month, then the next quarter and finally the next year. Suddenly you are on your way to a full blown business plan. A plan with a solid budget will keep you focused and you will be surprised at the results. I am a firm believer in the old saying “prior proper planning prevents poor performance.”
- They Know It All. One of the first things you must learn to say is “I don’t know but I will find the answer”. Your clients don’t expect you to know everything! If you are asked a question you don’t have the answer to don’t give your “best guess”. Tell them you will get back to them with exactly the right answer. Not only will this build creditability with your clients but you will know the answer the next time someone asks. Most importantly, it will keep you out of court!
