RealTown's RealTalk

I am a new agent to the Tampa area, I understand SOI very well and have used it before with success. But in this situation I do not have that luxury, I know no one in the Tampa area. so my question is do I just prepare myself by just doing as many Open houses as my time and tenacity will allow along with Farming?  Or does anyone out there have any better ideas.

Thanks.....

Lavern ponders:

I am a new agent to the Tampa area, I understand SOI very well and have used it before with success. But in this situation I do not have that luxury, I know no one in the Tampa area. so my question is do I just prepare myself by just doing as many Open houses as my time and tenacity will allow along with Farming? Or does anyone out there have any better ideas.

Jack muses:

Welcome Lavern! Most of us have been in this or a similar situation if we really think about it. There will be probably as many ideas coming your way as there are replies. I, for one, have attended many of the coaching systems and have heard different ideas from them all. One idea that resonates with me is from Brian Buffini. Brian stresses the concept of personal notes, brief visits (he calls pop-by's) and meeting new people every day. I coached many of my own agents to force themselves outside their comfort zone and into meeting new people every day. You will build a new SOI before you know it and, you might just get some business along the way.

My favorite opening line is "what do you do?" They usually tell me then they usually ask the same of me. My reply is "I help people with their real estate needs. By the way, if you had a friend or family member who had a real estate need, do you have a REALTOR^®  you would refer them to?"

Sounds hokey, I know - but it does get right to the point.

Best of luck

Jack

Lavern, I was in the same situation when I moved from CT in 2003 to Tampa, FL. I knew nobody and it took awhile, but I just started speaking to people and next thing I knew my I found out my next door neighbors had just moved from New Jersey and were looking to buy some investment properties. They bought one and then referred two people they know and they each bought a condo. Then my neighbors bought another property. Then one of the new home sales people liked me and started referring buyers that did not like the homes she had at the model home center and told them they will really do better to have an agent representing them.

My business took awhile to build up and I still want more and more business, but I just keep getting more and more referrals. I would like to have 30 listings, but right now only have nine. Of these all except for two are referrals. The more people you get to know the better. Then start telling them to please call me whenever you run into someone who might be thinking of buying or selling. I want my friend to call me because face it, most people are not going to carry your business card with them. I tell them to call me and give me their friends phone number and I will follow up with them. Works great.

Jeff Launiere, P.A., e-PRO
Keller Williams Realty
Tampa, FL
813-469-3163
Info@SweetHomeTampa.com
http://www.SweetHomeTampa.com