When Times Are Tough The Tough Think Outside The Box! What I Have Done To Generate Business In Slower Economic Times!
As a member of ActiveRainfor the past two years I have followed the trials and tribulations of my fellow REALTORS®/real estate agents, as we all struggle and adapt to a very different economic climate. I have listened to the advice of my industry eldersthat toughed out much harder times in the 80's, as well as new comer's that haven't known a better real estate market. In all of this I have learned to adapt, and in doing so had my best sales year ever in 2009.
I have and always will have the heart of a teacher and as such believe that you are blessed when you bless others. My granny used to say ' Cindy, you lift yourself higher by lifting someone else!' and I believe this to my core. So what I am about to tell you will make my Granny proud. In 2009 there were 4 things that I started doing that directly benefited my real estate business and made 2009 my best year yet.
1. I started blogging on ActiveRain consistently and regularly. I know you have probably read this before. Others have said it. YOU NEED TO LISTEN UP. I can attribute 1/4 of my total business in 2009 to ActiveRain and techniques I learned about social networking on ActiveRain.
2. I visited every Estate, Divorce and Bankruptcy Attorney in my area. I stopped by their office and dropped business cards to let the know that I preformed Comparative Market Analysis to assist in establishing Market Value on real estate. This is a service I have always offered to the community as a means to fight rising property taxes. I bill $250 for this service but discounted it by $50 for the Attorney. This is a valuable service I can provide to their clients and has gained me several listings.
3. I capitalized on the time I Spent in the office on mandatory Phone Duty. I've always had a bad attitude about phone duty. I would much rather be out looking for my next client than waiting for some one that may or may not call. In 2009 I changed my attitude about the time I spent in the office on phone duty. First I set a goal to capitalize on each call. Phone duty is mandatory in our small office, so I was there anyways might as well try. I started asking people calling in open ended questions. I made a decision that for every piece of information I gave them I would ask them a question in return. It went something like this: I am Cindy, to whom am I speaking?--------Great the home your are calling on is a 3 bedroom/2 bath was that the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you are looking for?----This home is $$$$$ is this what you were looking to spend?-----ETC. I always ended the call by trying to set a appointment to visit in my office and getting the potential clients contact information by offing to send valuable information their way. This new attitude accounted for a large percentage of my business in 2009.
4. Probably by now you have figured out the fourth thing I did to generate more business in 2009. This was probably the hardest to overcome while it may seem so simple to anyone reading this post. I HAD AN ATTITUDE TRANSPLANT.I started looking at all the positive ways I could be of service in places I had never thought to look before. I got smart and realized the value I have to offer to those that are suffering far worse than I am in these tougher economic times, and my real estate business here in Floresville, Texas has grown as a result.
I hope this post helps some of you grow as well. I would love for you to share the ways that you have changed to adapt to these very different economic times.
May 2010 Be Your Best Real Estate Year Ever! God Bless!
Total Edge Team
Cindy Cranston
Representing Home Buyers, and Sellers.
Specializing in San Antonio, La Vernia, Floresville real estate.
Keller Williams Heritage - Agent
Cindy's Cell 210-373-8634 Email TotalEdgeTeam@gmail.com Website www.TotaledgeTeam.com "Total Edge Team, Your Key To A Competitive Edge When Buying Or Selling Real Estate!"
Cindy Cranston and Faye Taylor are the Total Edge Team Realtors® with Keller Williams Realty Heritage living and doing business in the South Texas, San Antonio, Floresville and La Vernia, Texas market. They represents both homeowners and home buyers in these market areas.They specialize in military family and distressed properties. They enjoy the great rewards gained by helping our military heroes and their families buy or sell their home, and assisting distressed homeowners to sell their home and avoid foreclosure.
Cindy has been involved with the United States military her entire life; First as a proud military brat while her father served, then as a Medical Technician in the Air Force, and for the past 14 years as a military wife to her career military husband.
Cindy~ 'Having been around the military my whole life gives me a unique perspective on the challenges that face a military family. I am uniquely qualified to understand this situation from all angles, and enjoy helping relieve some of the burdens caused by your military PCS.'
Faye has earned a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation from the National Association of Realtors®. The CDPE designation makes her uniquely qualified to assist homeowners who risk losing their homes. She works diligently with loan mitigation, asset managers and the homeowner to find an alternative to foreclosure.
Faye~ 'Working with homeowners and families to help them avoid a bank foreclosure is truly rewarding. The prospect of foreclosure can be financially and emotionally devastating, it's important to understand your options. CDPE has equipped me to help homeowners navigate this process and guide them to their best course of action.'
I love this post Cindy! I love how you aren't afraid to share your success stories. I truly believe when we share our success stories in an attempt to help others we help to make our profession better in SA & surrounding cities. You rock girlie!
That transplant was probably the best part, uh. I know every now and again I can use an attutude adjustment myself.
Thisis a wonderful post and I know we all benefit by sharing in these challenging times. The attitude adjustment is something we all need.
Great ideas in addition to your great attitude!
Cindy -
Great list. Out of the box thinking is a necessity in this economy. Keep up the good work.
Cindy,
Great post, thanks for the useful information. One thing my partner and I are doing is using Toll free extensions we have for listings(which right now we don't have) and using them for Information hotlines. We advertise these all over the place.
Like your name! This is useful information; I especially like #2. We have what is called the Hour of Power and in that hour we are to make as many calls as possible to our circle of influence and talk about their family, careers, and ask for business.
I am a believer that business doesn't drop out of the sky, at least not on a regular basis!
Cindy in Indy
Well, it's part of my business plan - Have a positive attitude. 2010 is going to be a great year.
Cindy - Great, great stuff here. Congratulations on your attitude transplant. On another note, I haven't ever understood the theory behind mandatory phone duty. It seems like a recipe for disaster if you put someone on the phone representing the office and they don't really want or care to be there.
I love number 2. I need to start doing this from now on. Thanks for sharing this. Have a great weekend. Great post.
I joined a local gym and worked and, as a member, are allowed to have ad-space on their large panel LCD tv's; this way the members know my face when they walk in the door. The membership may cost a few bucks but it keeps me in shape and gives me exposure in a friendly environment. People always keep their guard down in gyms and real estate conversation is always a popular topic.
I love the idea of visiting the estate and divorce attorneys and think this is a great networking idea.
i also love the idea of visiting the estate and divorce attorneys. What a great idea. Thanks.
Cindy, you have made me even more enthusiastic about 2010! Thanks for sharing your success story!
I LOVE THE PIC!!! LOL!!
And tip # is fantastic - thank you so much. I have had that on my list, but didn't approach it this way. Love it. Thanks for this post!
Thanks for the great advice. I have added all this to my plans for 2010.
Hi Cindy...The important thing is you recognized the things that were working for you. That reinforces your desire to continue doing them and encourages you to think of additional things to try. Coming off your best year is, I'm sure, a great boost to your attitude.
Kate
Thanks Cindy for sharing your tips on success! Everything that has brought you success I think boils down to taking action in one way or another rather than waiting for others to make a move!
The questions are the key. It keeps the potential client talking and you can feel them out.
Thanks for the post
Love your lawyer tip, Cindy.
I find myself making money from activities related to real estate too. This last year about 25% of my income came from what I call "other". I wrote some articles, took some photos and taught some classes. It has been easy to intigrate the "other" into my business and it gives me a break from selling real estate but doesn't seem to be hurting my business.
Cindy, when you started blogging and your business increased, did it come from in-house referrals or when you paid the fee to become a Rainmaker?
HI Cindy,
I enjoyed reading your post and I truely believe in thinking outside the box as well and just keeping a positive attitude is a big MUST!!
Great post. It's all in the attitude.