by Mark Johnson | May 4, 2020 | Best Practice, Exceeding Expectations, Growth, JPAR, Productivity, Real Estate, Results, Strategy, Success, Technology, Tips
The real estate industry is always transforming. With the development of new technologies, real estate professionals are adopting tools that provide competitive advantages in serving today’s consumers at the highest level.
In Texas, as physical open houses are now lifted from quarantine, I’m being asked: “should I continue my HOSTED virtual open houses?” Answer:
Absolutely YES!
A recent study from the National Association of Realtors showed that 92% of buyers use the internet to begin their house hunting quest, driving home the vital need for real estate professionals to have an active online presence. If you’re not active, engaging, and networking online, then you’re missing out for you and your clients.
A new standard has been set. Today’s sophisticated seller will select those agents offering both. HOSTED virtual open houses leveraging Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube will extend your reach and pull in more potential buyers. It also saves the modern-day consumer time. Schedule your hosted virtual open house just like a physical one:
- Select the date and time (with virtual, you can A/B test some non-traditional times.)
- Create the event – dark post, for instance – on Facebook.
- Invite the neighbors and your prospects
- Host the event LIVE or as a GUIDED virtual tour – with you as the guide, of course!
JPAR agents are equipped and have the skills to deliver innovative marketing and expanded reach in today’s market.
“We must embrace all means to help buyers and sellers feel confident and secure.”
What other innovative marketing does the JPAR real estate professional have at their fingertips? Consider – among many others – just these three:
→ KvCore Property Boost- cost-effective and produces rapid results
→ Dark Post Facebook, Insta, LinkedIn, or Twitter ads: using squeeze page from kvCore.
→ Leveraging a listing farm with REMINE and Buyside™ is more cost-effective than direct mail and produces faster results.
The famous Peter Drucker said it well: “because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two – and only two – basic functions; marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.”
As a real estate professional, your marketing defines and communicates you and your brand. So my challenge today is, how’s your marketing? A few things to consider:
- Is it easy to contact you and your real estate practice?
- Is it easy to schedule an appointment?
- Are you set for social? How many platforms and why or why not… consumer-based!
- Pinterest Boards
- Google – My Business Page
- A hyper-local content strategy
- YouTube Channel featuring local businesses, amenities, and events
- Seminars: first time buyers; investors, 1031 exchange
- Go to team
- Professional photography and tours
- Staging
- Clean up and fix up team
- Tracking and measuring all of your efforts for effectiveness
- HomeActions Newsletter powered with predictive AI
- Nurture campaigns
- Get-togethers
- Handwritten notes
- Gift baskets
- The post-closing relationship for life?
- Do they know you care?
If you’re looking to up your innovation and marketing game – join us – it’s easy. www.jparrready.com
by JPAR Press & Media | Apr 10, 2020 | Guide to Success, JPAR, Keeping Current Matters, Productivity, Real Estate, Technology, Tips, To-do List
Today’s everyday reality is pretty different than it looked just a few weeks ago. We’re learning how to do a lot of things in new ways, from how we work remotely to how we engage with our friends and neighbors. Almost everything right now is shifting to a virtual format. One of the big changes we’re adapting to is the revisions to the common real estate transaction, which all vary by state and locality. Technology, however, is making it possible for many of us to continue on the quest for homeownership, an essential need for all.
Here’s a look at some of the elements of the process that are changing (at least in the near-term), due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing, and what you may need to know about each one if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home sooner rather than later.
1. Virtual Consultations – Instead of heading into an office, you can meet with real estate and lending professionals through video chat. Whether it’s your first initial needs analysis as a buyer or your listing appointment as a seller, you can still get the process started remotely and create a plan together. Your trusted advisor is still on your side.
2. Home Searches & Virtual Showings – According to theNational Association of Realtors (NAR), the Internet is one of the three most popular information sources buyers use when searching for homes. Your real estate agent can send you listing information and help you request a virtual showing when you’re ready to start looking. This means you can virtually walk through the homes on your wish list while keeping your family safe. As a seller, you can still have virtual open houses and virtual tours too, so as not to miss those buyers looking to find a home right now.
3. Document Signing – Although this is another area that varies by state, today more portions of the transaction are being done digitally. In many areas, your agent or loan officer can set up an account where you can upload all of the required documents and sign electronically right from your computer.
4. Sending Money – Whether you need to pay for an appraisal or submit closing costs, there are options available. Depending on the transaction and local regulations, you may be able to pay by credit card, and most banks will also allow you to wire funds from your account. Sometimes you can send a check by mail, and in some states, a mobile escrow agent will pick up a check from your home.
5. Closing Process – Again, depending on your area, a mobile notary may be able to bring the required documents to your home before the closing. If your state requires an attorney to be present, check with your legal counsel to see what options are available. Also, depending on the title company, some are allowing drive-thru closings, which is similar to doing a transaction at a bank window.
Although these virtual processes are starting to become more widely accepted, it does not mean that this is the way things are going to get done from now on. Under the current circumstances, however, technology is making it possible to continue much of the real estate transaction today.
Bottom Line
If you need to move today, technology can help make it happen; there are options available. To learn about the specific regulations in your area, contact a local real estate professional to discuss your situation, so you don’t have to put your real estate plans on hold.
by Mark Johnson | Mar 15, 2020 | Action, Productivity, Real Estate, Taking Action, Technology
Mental Toughness is the choice – the attitude – of staying in inspired action despite the circumstances surrounding you.
JPAR agents our productive! Working out of our 49 locations across the US, including our Texas brokerage operations where we have 26 locations with 105 private offices and shared community workspaces. I thought it timely and important to write about our “new normal” of working from home during this time of social distancing.
While there are many disruptions during the coronavirus outbreak, it’s essential to manage our attitude and mental state. In my view, mental toughness is the choice – the attitude – of staying in inspired action despite the circumstances surrounding you.
As a real estate professional, you are all used to working from a home office, so this blog could be a great reminder for you. For others, as businesses and organizations respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will be working even more from home. There can be a great deal of additional stress that accompanies the transition to working from home.
Here are a few tips that can help ease the transition or increase the likelihood that you’re able to balance productivity with your other responsibilities:
First, set precise working times
To the extent possible, try to maintain your typical working schedule. If you typically work from 9 am-5 pm when you’re in the office, then try to keep that same schedule when you’re working from home. Now many of my readers are self-employed entrepreneurs… yes, this applies to you. Our number 1 coaching request is dealing with BURN-OUT. Work expands to the time you give it… set your boundaries. Remember the last time you went on vacation and how much you accomplish the day prior? Take that approach to work daily!
Second, maintain boundaries
Maintain clear work-home boundaries. While all in the same space, be intentional about keeping work, home, or school boundaries. Consider this, use time blocks – have a clear off time where you’re done working for the day. As much as possible, don’t let your work spill over to your time away from work. Even in real estate, this is possible…does your lawyer, CPA and other professionals who handle critical matters work 24/7? No… they don’t and neither should you unless you are committed to burn-out.
Third, maintain a virtual connection with others
Working from home can be an isolating experience. Maintain contact with others by scheduling virtual lunch breaks or coffee chats. Find ways to connect and keep in communication with your others to avoid feelings of loneliness. What about a virtual mastermind group? You can continue your weekly small group meetings video conference or FaceTime.
Fourth, stay hydrated, proper nutrition, and take breaks
This point seems like a no-brainer, but the reality is it can be easy to lose track of time and to forget to engage in daily self-care (like drinking enough water, eating regular meals, and getting enough exercise). Set break times and stick with them. Get up and walk around, stretch, and consider taking 5-minute mindfulness breaks every few hours. Your mobile device probably has built-in reminders or popular apps that are available for your mobile device… there is an app for that! Search your device or your favorite app store.
Fifth, maintain a daily to-do list
For some, working from home can feel overwhelming. Focus on what needs to be done each day by making a daily to-do list. Focus on prioritizing each task each day. I’ve found real estate professionals work best with a “daily action checklist.” A powerful list of all the must-dos for that day, week, or month. Don’t forget some type of daily cardio. Consider these seven actions
- FaceTime or call someone you haven’t talked to for a while.
- Pray or meditate more.
- Write a gratitude list, thank you notes, or thinking of you notes.
- Walk or hike more; visit a new park.
- If able, give, or volunteer more. If not, encourage someone who can.
- Read, write, create something.
- Play a new game or an old favorite in your off time.
Sixth, make your home office space work for you
If you have a home office space, use it! If not, consider ways that you can create a workspace that will support your work from home situation. Separate work from your bedroom or spaces where you typically relax. If you have to work in your bedroom, at least make some space outside of your actual bed to do work. From a wellness perspective, mental health professionals, so it’s often important as much as possible to have a clear distinction between working spaces and spaces that are intended for relaxation.
- Set Your Space Up for Productivity.
- Reduce, Remove or Eliminate Your Distractions.
- Get Comfortable.
- Invest in Light Exercise Equipment.
- Declutter Ruthlessly and Often.
- Take Eye Breaks.
- Work with Purpose.
Seventh, reduce distractions
Consider how to remove distractions from your home office environment. That means having a clear boundary for your professional work and your personal work with the associated time blocks. For many readings this, that could mean turning off the TV, your news, and Facebook notifications. For others, having some background noise like classical music or ambient soundtracks can be helpful. It is also important to consider how you’ll maintain your distraction-free work environment if you have a spouse, roommate, partner, children, or pets who will be in your space during your work hours. Talk with all your housemates about work boundaries and how to ensure distraction-free areas so that you’re able to focus on your work. You can also use these tips for working from home with children around. Have a family meeting to discuss the new schedule and boundaries that will help the family during this time.
It’s never been more important to stay connected and avoid being isolated. Besides your circle of influence, many groups our offering assistance on-line for those experience higher levels of stress or coping challenges. Reach out there is a world of help within reach.
And a bonus tip from my sister… after reviewing my draft she sent me “you should add this: dress for work rather than being too informal. You are more productive when you dress for work instead of dressing as if you’re lounging around for the weekend.”
by Mark Johnson | Aug 4, 2019 | CRM, Hyper-local, JPAR, Media, Real Estate, Technology
“If you’re trying to disrupt the status quo and beat bigger competitors, you’re not going to do it by playing their game.”
~ Dharmesh Shah, OnStartups.com
Today I’m preparing for a panel I’ll be sitting on later this week… “Why Technology Is Ruining Our Industry!” Like all great media, the title is controversial and attention-grabbing. I certainly don’t believe that technology is ruining our industry… how we are using technology is. Let me explain.
Despite extraordinary amounts of investment in real estate technology, the average per person productivity and the median gross income of the real estate professional has declined. Productivity and income have declined at both the National Association of REALTORS® level and at the Real Trends top 500 firms.
Why?
Too many real estate sales professionals think the main service offered is access to technology and data. When in fact, the real service is personal service and counseling. Translating what the data means and how technology can make the process more efficient is what distinguishes JPAR agents from the average agent.
So how can you be more personal and more consultative to 100’s of people at a time? Consider video and well-crafted email campaigns.
It strikes me that – according to research – at most 28% of active real estate professionals use technology like a CRM (Customer Relationship Manager). Yet REALTORS® making $150,000 or more had a median of 31 percent of repeat business from past clients and 29 percent of business through referrals from past clients. One common trend of those REALTORS® – the 28% from the survey – they effectively use a CRM technology to drive business.
Another solution to consider is video. Video technology allows you to disrupt the disrupters by going hyper-local and direct. Connecting more frequently, becoming locally familiar by sharing relevant hyper-local insights, news, and trends. No longer new media, hyper-local video is the time-tested way to build trust and trust leads to goodness. Only 8% of REALTORS® currently use video, so it’s a significant point of differentiation.
What makes you stand out from the crowd?
