Background & Reputation

Start by examining their background. Do they have experience in interior design? Are they former real estate agents? Finding out what they bring to the table can help you determine if they have what it takes to make your listings look their absolute best.

Naturally, you will also want to review the company’s reputation. Asking for references from other real estate agents and home sellers is a step that can help you narrow down your search. It’s not a step you want to skip.

Stylistic Flexibility

Homes come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. The home staging services you partner with should have experience working with the types of homes that make up the majority of your listings. Whether you are selling Craftsman’s, Art Deco’s, or Georgian Colonial’s. be sure that your partner knows how to use the architectural elements to make these properties look their best so that they match the expectations of prospective buyers of those types of properties.

When considering home staging services, ask to see examples of the scenes they have designed. Look for their use of colors, the way they maximize lighting, how they position furniture to create a strong sense of space, and all the little details they tend to. Visual examples give you a good idea of their thought process and their effectiveness at creating scenes that resonate with prospective buyers. The stronger their knowledge of design principles and possibilities, the more appealing your listings will be in the eyes of prospective home buyers.

Work Ethic & Work Style

Everyone has their own way of getting the job done. You will want to choose a partner who has a work ethic and work style that you can work with. This can help minimize conflict and reduce stress as you wait for them to complete the job. The closer their work ethic and work style matches your own, the more efficient and effective the partnership will be. This translates to increased sales and greater profits for everyone.

Most importantly, you will want to make sure that the home staging service has the ability to complete the volume of work you expect to send their way. This is crucial as you don’t want to end up in a situation where the service is so backed up that you can’t get your listings out there on your schedule.

The Brass Tacks

Home staging services can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars all the way up to thousands of dollars depending on the services required and the size of the home. You will want to drill deep into the pricing of their services and what you can expect to pay for the services you typically need. Many real estate agents are able to negotiate a lower rate for these services due to the volume of business they are able to generate for the home staging service itself.

Premier Commission can help you get the most from your real estate business. We invite you to contact us to learn more about the services we offer that can help you increase your overall sales and maximize the profits from your efforts.

1. Video Marketing

According to research, approximately 3/4 of all brands see better returns on their investments when using video marketing. The reason this is the case is because people who are looking for real estate love visuals. Though you might have dynamic infographics or even slide shows on your site, adding the video element can greatly increase leads for your business.

2. Social Media

If you aren’t already, you must start using social media if you want to generate leads. Facebook, for instance, has more than a billion users. Though you won’t be focusing your marketing efforts on all of these people, you will have a target audience that you want to approach, and these people are almost certain to use social media. The trick is, however, to make sure your posts are targeted correctly.

3. Paid Google Advertising

Another option to generate real estate leads is to use different types of Google advertising. Google offers a number of options to small business owners, contractors, and others who are not in the same league as the mega corporations that dot the internet landscape. Google Adwords, for instance, is an excellent option for real estate agents, and it is fairly easy to use thanks to the multiple guides available online.

4. Referrals from Other Agents

It might be surprising, especially if you are new to the industry, that you can get a lot of leads by getting referrals from other agents. This can certainly work well, but you can’t expect referrals from just any agent. These work best when you are getting referrals from agents who do not live in the same area that you do. Networking is extremely important to the success of a real estate career, so make sure to attend regional and national conferences when possible. Most real estate agents come across many people each year that are relocating, and you want them to recommend you when people move to your area.

These are just a few new creative lead generation tactics that you might not have thought about for your real estate endeavor. These tactics are especially important if you are a new agent. For even more information on how to access cash to implement your lead generation, contact Premier Commission.

Effective agents choose an array of techniques, from event marketing to upscale branding. Everything from outbound e-mail marketing to inspired PR. However, you don’t need to be a marketing mogul to upgrade your efforts. Here are a look at some unique real estate marketing tactics to incorporate into your strategy.

1) SEO, Digital Campaigns, and Influencers

Your digital strategy should deliver content via social media, search engine optimization, and influencer marketing. It’s no longer useful to simply push out content without refined real estate marketing techniques to improve visibility.

• Develop a detailed audience persona that includes where your target demographic spends time online, which keywords they use, and which media affect them most.
• Profound content is not enough. It needs to be delivered through the correct channels for your audience, whether via LinkedIn, Twitter, or other sites.
• Social media listening tools help you to watch online chatter about your brand and deliver superior customer service.
• Video tours give potential buyers a reason to click into your site. They’re compelling, particularly for customers who haven’t yet made a decision to buy. Use video editing software to optimize and post your clips on property pages.

2) Open Houses

Mobile is the leading platform for social media marketing, and Facebook is the most visited network via phone. The medium presents some exciting prospects for highly effective open house days.

• Post information about open houses at well ahead of time on the social networks your demographic uses.
• Contests, and promotions can be offered via mobile, giving your attendees content in real time while they view a property.
• Integrated multimedia techniques can be themed in the same way as your open house day. A festive atmosphere makes your property more inviting.

3) Eventify

Real estate marketing techniques delivered through events amp up your branding while bolstering your reputation. Make your real estate insights available via YouTube or Facebook. Seminars can be advertised for via local partners and online.

4) Partner with Local Artists

Interior decorators and artists are often enthusiastic partners. Let them showcase their work using your open house as a staging platform. This will add buzz to the atmosphere and present the house in its best light. It will also leave you with much needed extra hours to work on your real estate marketing techniques.

5) Demonstrate Your Values

Add a bit about your personal life to your branding efforts by ensuring that all your dealings fit in with the image you’re working so hard to project. Adding social responsibility to your campaign is not only a way to give back, but an effective addition to your real estate marketing techniques. Charitable contributions will improve your reputation in the community while giving you an opportunity to host events. With a social entrepreneurship facet to your image, you can set yourself apart from other local agents.

Your marketing strategy is only limited by your imagination. Call us if you need help funding your campaign today! Our commission advances for real estate agents can help you get the cash you need to create an effective marketing strategy.

Here are some tips for writing a real estate listing that will be effective:

1. Get to the Point
   Being concise is one of the key points whether you are writing a real estate listing or any other kind of copy. Lead with the selling price as this will get serious buyers interested right away. Along with the selling price and terms, include the home’s location at the start. The location should be included at the top since buyers often quickly read through listings for homes in particular areas. You will want to ensure that your wording is effective both for search engines and for human readers who are familiar with the area. This means using neighborhood nicknames in your listing in addition to the zip code. While you may be wary of mentioning the price right at the beginning, note that location and price are two of the most important factors for many buyers. Many use these factors to determine which houses they will look at.
2. Be Truthful
   Experienced buyers can be turned off by exaggerations and overstatements. Calling a room a bedroom when it cannot be considered one due to lack of an egress window is an example. Not mentioning major flaws is another way to put off buyers.
3. Describe in Detail
   You will need descriptive language to sell any home. Provide potential buyers with details about features. What kind of counter tops does the kitchen have? What kind of wood is used for the flooring? Avoid using vague words of praise and give buyers your main selling points.
4. Keep the Type of Property in Mind
   If the home that you are selling is a luxurious one, your buyers are more likely to be interested in its lifestyle features than in bedroom counts. In addition, the term “fixer-upper” may not be off-putting to first-time homebuyers, especially if the home is located in a good neighborhood; however, it should be used carefully. See below.
5. Be Careful with the Term “Fixer-Upper”
   It is best to play to a home’s good points rather than its negatives. If your home needs major repairs, market it to those who might be interested. The market for it can range from first-time homebuyers to investors looking for a property to flip. Highlight points like amenities in the area for a positive spin.
6. Mention Upgrades
   Homes that have been improved are especially attractive. Mentioning upgrades identifies areas that the prospective buyer will not have to spend money on. A home with a new roof is especially attractive as are new windows; however, any improvements that have been made should be mentioned.

Looking for more great tips on successfully selling more homes & earning your commission? Follow the Premier Commission blog to stay up to date. Need to get your commission today? Contact us to learn more about our commission advance services for real estate agents.

Always Address the Issue

When you first see a negative comment about your services, it can make you cringe. You may not be willing to acknowledge the comment at all, hoping it fades into the background of the internet over time. However, studies show that customers want to see that you are actively engaged in fixing problems. In fact, most customers admit that they don’t expect you to be perfect, all they expect is that you are willing to try to make things better when something goes wrong. By addressing the comment directly and swiftly, you will show potential clients that you are dedicated to good customer service even after the deal has been signed.

Know When to Take It Offline

If you have decided that it’s time to address one of these negative real estate agent review posts, you need to do so in a calm way. Don’t start an argument or get defensive. Offer to meet with them or speak with them on the phone to get more information about why they are unhappy. Protect their privacy and your own by taking the discussion offline to be handled elsewhere. In some cases, this is enough to convince the client to update their post or remove it completely once they have your attention.

Post Your Own Update

Once the issue has been resolved to the best of your ability, post your own update under their real estate agent review. Explain simply what happened, where the error was, methenolone enanthate bodybuilding and what you did to help them fix it. Don’t shy away from owning up to your mistakes. Seeing that you learned from your mistakes and that you will do better in the future makes you relatable and builds confidence in your clients.

You Can’t Win Every Battle

The reality is that buying a house is a stressful situation that can have a huge impact on a person’s life and finances. The stress of the situation is enough to set some people on edge and make them inconsolable no matter what you say or do. It can also make them cast blame upon you even for situations that are completely beyond your control. If a client is not willing to work with you at all to resolve an issue, the best you can do is explain your understanding of what happened and bow out of the conversation before it escalates any further, but not until you have tried to make it better.

Responding to any negative real estate agent review is a difficult task. It requires patience and understanding, but if you are able to reach a positive resolution, you are likely to gain even more positive praise from customers who now see that you are willing to go above and beyond to keep them happy. A negative real estate agent review can turn positive overnight by simply reaching out.

Premier Commission provides commission advances for growing real estate agent businesses. Visit us online or call today to see how we can help you reach your goals.

Designing your real estate sign

How your sign looks will determine whether or not people will take action and call or find you online. Here are the first three things you need to know about sign design:

1. Use borders and color contrasts to direct people’s eyes

You want to ensure that people remember certain elements on your real estate sign. For example, you want to make your phone number super visible. If you have deep, bold colors for your sign, then your number should be bordered by a bright, lighter color.

2. Include an image that people will remember

After seeing a few two-toned “for sale” signs, they can start to all look alike. This can cause potential buyers to either overlook a house, because they think that they’ve seen it before, or assume that there isn’t anything special about it. A great picture has the opposite effect. This can be anything from your logo to a (professionally taken) picture of your smiling face.

If you’re creating real estate signs for each house that you sell, then consider adding text or an image to show off the house’s best features. For example, a striking kitchen with all of the best appliances and fixtures is a great way to keep a home stuck in people’s minds.

3. Look around town at other real estate signs

Looking at the competition is a great way to develop ideas of what to do and what to avoid. For example, if you see a trend for real estate signs, then you should avoid certain features so that yours doesn’t blend in with the crowd; if you see a sign that strikes you, then you should figure out what elements you can integrate into your own design.

Producing your real estate signs

Here’s what you need to know about the real estate sign production process:

Always have your real estate signs professionally produced

You are a professionally licensed real estate agent, and your sign should say this loud and clear. To this end, you need to have all of your real estate signs produced in high quality print on good materials. This step will require the help of a professional sign printing service. Ask colleagues and friends for references to find a printer you can trust.

Balance quality and budget

You’re making real estate signs, not a billboard. As such, you don’t want to break the bank trying to make a real estate sign that is printed with a million dots per inch. When browsing professional printing companies, don’t go with the most expensive or the cheapest one. Instead, compare prices with the quality of their work.

Is your sign ready for prime time?

Your real estate sign is a critical marketing tool that you must get right. Following the tips above will keep your sign on track for success. Do you need extra funds to create an effective real estate sign? Premier Commission’s simple commission advance process will get you the cash you need to create marketing materials and more. We guarantee the lowest rates on our advances, so apply online today!

I want to sell real estate, not talk about it, so why should I bother with a blog in the first place?

Although you may hold no personal interest in blogging, real estate blogging is one of the best marketing tools at your disposal. This is because it:

• Boosts your website’s SEO results
• Builds lead relationships
• Makes you look like a pro
• Enhances your social media presence
• Broadens your reach

Because of benefits like these, starting a real estate blog will make it much easier for you to broker those real estate deals that will put money in your pocket. Not having a real estate blog, on the other hand, could hurt your ability to succeed, because your competition will be attracting leads that could have been yours.

How do I get started with real estate blogging?

The first step is to add a blog page to your website (if you don’t already have a website, then you should start there). When your blog is on your website, you provide visitors with a direct connection to the rest of your website; this, in turn, enhances your likelihood of creating a lead.

What to talk about

This is entirely up to you. The key for creating successful real estate blogging is to come up with topics that you think that members of your target audience will be interested in reading about. If you aren’t sure about what to talk about, then start out with a “how to” type blog post. For example, you could write a blog explaining to homeowners how to prepare for a home appraisal, or how to find a great real estate agent.

Even if you aren’t an expert on a subject, you can write about it if it is relevant to what you do and your target audience’s needs (just be sure to do plenty of research from reputable sources and link to the sources for any numerical data/hard claims that you found).

How to write

Your blog should always be concise and professional, but don’t be afraid to inject a little humor into your posts. If you aren’t an adept writer, then dip into your marketing budget and hire a professional copywriter to get the job done.

What not to do

Although real estate blogging gives you plenty of freedom and flexibility for success, there are still several things that you should never do. This includes the following:

• Keyword stuffing
• Outright plagiarism
• Lying or making misleading claims

Doing things like the above will diminish the quality of your blog and turn readers off. Also, it will make your entire website harder to find, because the search engines will lower your rankings, if not dismiss your website from their results entirely.

Now you’re ready to take full advantage of the benefits of real estate blogging

With a good real estate blog, you can take your real estate business to the next level by attracting better clients and connecting with better leads to close the deal faster. To learn more about what tools you need to succeed as a real estate agent, feel free to contact our team of experts at Premier Commission LLC.

Well, there are countless tools out there so it can be difficult to pinpoint which ones are better than others. The situation is made even more complex when you consider the fact that real estate is so wide and most of these tools are designed for specific areas of the industry. For example, there are tools specifically designed for email marketing and then there are those for editing listing photographs. Surely, you can’t compare these two sets of tools or recommend one over the other because both are very important to the real estate agent.

However, there are 5 sets of tools that every real estate expert will usually recommend to new agents.  These are tools that many consider a MUST-HAVE if you are to be successful in this industry. The five are:

1. Video cameras and image editing software

The first thing every real estate agent needs to invest in is professional photography. You realize that you’ll be dealing with images and videos a lot and you’re not alone in the market so you need to stand out by posting very high quality photos and videos. Agents need two types of videos; virtual tour videos which are actual videos of the property and agent videos for passing helpful information to your customers. Luckily, the latest smartphones and digital cameras have impressive video capabilities and will save you from buying a separate camera.

2. Email Marketing Software

Email marketing is a great way to send new listings to your potential customers and keep them updated with news, events and open houses. Constant Contract and Mail Chimp are two great email marketing platforms that can help you create professional-looking emails in a flash.

3. Social media

Social media has changed the way real estate marketing is done. Today, a significant portion of sales originate from Facebook, Twitter, Vine, and Pinterest among others. Remember that just as the name suggests, social media is about getting social – interacting with your following. Take some time to reply to tweets and comments, be helpful to your friends and followers, and make your posts a little informal; you don’t want to create another office on Facebook.

4. Trulia and Zillow accounts

If you don’t have a Trulia or Zillow account by now, you’re missing out big time. eBay and Craigslist are two other websites where you will find listings for homes both within and outside your state. And to make maximum use of these listing websites, you can use Postlets.com to syndicate your listings. All the websites listed here are free to use.

5. A Blog

Consistently adding new posts to your blog that contain valuable and relevant information for your clients is great for business. You can build up your authority in your local real estate space by offering tips, market predictions, posting videos, images, and many other types of content. Share your knowledge and engage with any users who ask questions.

Premier Commission is another real estate tool you shouldn’t ignore. We offer advance commissions for real estate agents. Contact us at 1.866.309.5582 for more information or visit our website to apply for your advance commissions.