I am prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you've grown to expect from a professional. Real estate transactions are complex, involve large assets and demand competent representation. Marketing properties, home selection and financing are just a few of the skills today's consumer looks for when they select a real estate professional. I am prepared to offer my clients the knowledge and expertise to counsel them in relocating, buying, investing or selling the family home.
"Expect the Best"
I have witnessed many changes in the real estate industry over the past 31 years and have always embraced them as good for our industry. What we are experiencing right now with Web2, social networking for business, and micro blogging is not a fad. These are exciting times, and I see opportunity for those who buy into it and get re-educated to relate to the e-consumer.
I threw this question out on LinkedIn last week and had so many excellent answers that I had to select “No Best Answer” I selected 8 as good of the 13. I would like to share a few points from each answer for you to ponder.
Alex Romanovich a Sr. International Marketing and Technology Executive focused on Demand Generation, Online and Social Media Marketing said in reference to social media: The need to listen, communicate, engage, and educate is there and RE Professionals can deliver if they start using the same tools that a consumer is using already.
Simon Ackland who is an Entrepreneur, Business Developer, Marketing and Digital Marketing, Wine Industry said: There is no doubt about it, the advent of web based marketplaces saves a lot of time, fuel and rubber. And a social network can allow an agent to communicate more quickly and effectively, giving more people the opportunity to take advantage of an offering than the old “hours on the phone” approach.
Mark Spiveya Provider of cost-effective streaming media and email marketing tools indicated: The Real Estate agent of the future will need to become far more Internet aware then ever before and will use all the tools mentioned above in order to gain a foothold in a highly competitive market.
Jose I. Perez, Jr. an Innovative Leader and Real Estate Industry Expert said: Those that “get it” will move forward and succeed. Those who don’t will eventually struggle.
MAJ Jamie Huggins, Space Operations Officer / Real Estate Broker said: I believe that real estate online is going to become “Googlefied”. I can see open source real estate listings online where clients post their own stuff and prospects comment and blog about specific properties. Customers will tell real state professionals what they need. It’s happening on the social networks right now.
Pat Soltysan owner at Soltys Inc. is a business and technology consulting company said: In real estate it is not only the agents who must change but also the leadership of all companies. At the brokerage level, this will be a defining point in the growth, dynamics, operations and philosophy that drive the bottom line.
Marcus Cage Business Management Consultant said: There will be a diminishing of real estate companies, due to a lack of effective marketing, service and structure.
Rose Hart, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet said: The market has numerous variables for clients to consider other than just the style and price of the home. I think the web is extremely important now and in the future of real estate, because clients need and want as much information as possible to make informed decisions on pricing their properties for sale and also those looking to buy.
As you can see, all the above professionals have one thing in common which is the consumer. This is still a people business, however we are experiencing a paradigm shift with the tools and services that we provide. You can read the answers of all respondents in there entirety on LinkedIn.
What are your thoughts? More important than that, what are you doing to be better prepared? By the way, are you LinkedIn?
“Expect the Best” Mike
As a real estate trainer and consultant, I am available to assist you in all your marketing plans, technology, in addition to helping you take your real estate career to the next level. Contact me if you’re interested in hiring a personal coach and consultant to help develop your business.
A Real Estate Professional in the greater Lansing real estate market must meet the needsand expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing in our industry, with nearly 90% of all buyers searching the Internet prior to contacting an agent. It is imperative that practitioners of our industry become savvy on what is available to them for marketing real estate.
Buying or selling a house in the greater Lansing area is much more convenient with search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN, and the dozens of other smaller ones available. Technology has revolutionized the way buyers, sellers, real estate agents and most ancillary type real estate businesses operate in today’s world of buying and selling.
Linking to demographics for Delta Township or Delhi Township are two examples of individual sites REALTORS have available as a service to today e-consumer, provided they understand technology, websites, Blogging, search engine optimization and all the other areas of real estate Internet marketing that is a must in today’s changing market. Searching all inventory available in the greater Lansing area needs to be at the stoke of one link, in order to give the best service available.
Many programs are available today for agents to market properties in specific locations, styles or targeting specific buyers. Postlets is one of my favorite when it comes to promoting a featured home or several. Agents also have the opportunity to use a company called SawItOnLine which produces a Gallery of Homes and than sends them out to many portals and sites with what we call syndication of listings.
Real estate markeking is not for those who dabble or are not keeping up with the changes, Sellers and buyers need someone who knows what they’re doing and will work hard to get the job done. Make sure for your financial welfare that the REALTORS you interview prior to selling your home have knowledge of the real estate market, negotiating skills, and ability to listen to your needs and desires. A well explained marketing plan that includes Internet technology is a must.
Many articles and comments have been made in reference to Saul Klein’s recent White Paper on the MLS 5.0 concept. It is very well detailed and comprehensive when it comes to presenting a vision of what we as Realtors need to prepare for in the future.
Some may criticize Saul’s points, not understanding that the purpose of this presentation is to open up the dialogue for developing a plan vs. being reactive like we have with the whole mortgage fiasco, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the foreclosure boom we seem to be stuck with for the next couple of years. The unfortunate part is that the broker/owners who need to be smack dab in the middle of these kinds of conversations are struggling to cut costs, deplete inventory, and keep their doors open.
The other unfortunate fact is that most real estate brokers and agents are not spending the time and effort, when it comes to grasping web2, blogging, portals or the future of MLS changes, let alone decide what we need for the future. We are a changing industry, that needs to be re-educated, starting at the top it needs to be fully supported by the broker/owners. Let’s hope they’re not cutting their training and education budgets, if anything, right now would be a good time to throw out the newspaper print and put it all back into educating your assets. (Agents) We have many people to learn from including the two gentleman above. Have you started your Future plan yet?
On a nice day like we had today, it always reminds me of how Golf and Real Estate are so much alike. I use to play a lot of golf prior to my knees acting up; however, I am still very fond of the game. Golf has ethics, rules, principles, and requires much discipline, practice and patience just like real estate.
In golf, weather conditions change your game; in real estate market conditions change your approach to business. I think we have all learned that over the past 12-18 month’s.
In golf, if you want score well you have to have the right equipment. In real estate today the right equipment means being on top of the best technology to provide great pictures, websites, Blogs, and other tools that we use on a daily basis to service our customers and clients.
In golf, if a golfer wants to score well, he or she needs to know the course. Do we know your market? The inventory of listings, schools, amenities, tax rates, transportation, what’s going on within the community etc?
In golf, they say your score depends on 75% mental attitude; you have to have a vision of how the shot is going to turn out or feel the swing. In real estate, we have to believe the results are going to be that new listing or sale. We have to picture the results. "Those who believe they can, and those who believe they can't, are both right.
In golf, you should always play the course, not your opponent. Sometimes we in real estate worry too much about our competition instead of focusing on the services we can provide each buyer or seller. Our business is to offer value added service. How long is your list?
In golf, we have the drive, the approach, the chip and the putt. We call those activities in real estate, like lead generation, prospecting, Internet marketing, networking, building relationships, preparing presentations, and building our skills.
In golf, sometimes the hazards like sand, trees and water can challenge our game. We in real estate experience that with slumps along the way, problem files, negative media, challenging sellers, buyers, co-op agents and vendors. However, by chipping out and getting back on course we keep our focus on the end results.
In golf, I know most pros have coaches who may assist the golfer on mental attitude, stroke improvements, and various segments of their game. It's also important in real estate that an agent has that support system. We have managers; staff, systems, tools and many agents today even hire a coach to boost their income and accountability. Today we are also privileged to take part in networking sites and Blogs like this to learn and earn, plus gain friends and mentors.
In golf, most golf pros practice, drill and rehearse daily to perfect their game. Realtors who want to be pros are also subject to practicing their presentations, scripts and staying on top of marketing techniques to survive in today's world. How can we expect to win customers and clients over to our side if we don't practice, drill and rehearse?
In golf, they call it good edict to replace divots, fix ball marks, treat every player with respect, and count all your strokes, in addition to using the proper amount of clubs. We in real estate have a great code of ethics provided by NAR that gives us the guidelines and rules to follow. The golden rule goes along ways when working with other Realtors to compliment, communicate and look at them as true peers of our industry vs. just competition. No one is as smart as all of us; I guess that’s why you and I are on this site together, sharing our expertise.
In golf, they keep score and have a handicap. Are you keeping score of your real estate career? What's your handicap? Vision, goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics are what Realtors need to succeed.
If a golfer wants to hit a great shot, they have to keep their head down. Realtors, I say keep your head up,especially in this current market. You have opportunities today that may not exist again for sometime. It’s called a paradigm shift, where we all are on a level playing field. While others are wallowing in self pity you can be a positive Realtor who wants to help buyers and sellers solve their real estate challenges, in addition to supporting your peers by participating in networking groups like this. What do you think?
“Expect the Best” Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search ListingsBriarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
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and expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing in our industry, with nearly 90% of all buyers searching the Internet prior to contacting an agent. It is imperative that practitioners of our industry become savvy on what is available to them for marketing real estate.
On a nice day like we had today, it always reminds me of how Golf and Real Estate are so much alike. I use to play a lot of golf prior to my knees acting up; however, I am still very fond of the game. Golf has ethics, rules, principles, and requires much discipline, practice and patience just like real estate. 
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