What Kind of Leads

Real estate agents must all start from the bottom if not mentored or supported by veteran agents. This can be a very scary world coming into the real estate industry without hot leads. You look around to see everyone’s phone around you are ringing and appointments are being held in your present.

You start to think how in the world will I be able to compete and grow my listing just like Greg in the other office who seems like he has more leads than properties to sell.

What you need to do from day one is decide who am I targeting? What type of real estate marketing ideas can I come up that will allow me to go after all sorts of markets? Here are a few potential listing categories you might want to seek out…

• FSBO “Duh”
• Landlords
• Probates
• Foreclosures
• Expired Listing
• etc….

Now it’s all about going after one of those markets, and dominating it by becoming the must see agent to contact.

Referring Leads

Newbie agents or season agents all can benefit from referring leads. There are tons of agentswho come across leads that just don’t fit their profile. For example…if an agent in your office only deal with FSBO then when someone approaches them about a foreclosure lead, then this become a problem they just can’t solve.

The angle you must take is to become the refer to guy or girl. You see remember I talked about you becoming the expert in a certain category. Once you let the world know all you deal with are Foreclosures then guess who they going to call when a lead come across their desk such as that.

Finally, an underused marketing tactic that a number of agents don’t take advantage of are the past agents leads. Most of you don’t realize that when an agent leaves a real estate company they usually leave all their leads behind.

What I’ve found when most agents leave they don’t go to another real estate company. Now some of them do pursue other companies thinking the grass will be greener on the other side. Not knowing that the reason they’re not successful as an agent is because of  the lack of marketing to produce leads.

By saying that, they do leave the leads they have behind so ask for permission to obtain them. Never know there maybe dozens of leads you can follow-up on by using the amazing real estate marketing techniques listed in this epic-wow blog post.

Divorce Court

You as a real estate agent must start to think outside the box for listings. You have to really go far and beyond to get listing other agents aren’t going after. One of the hidden gems is the divorce system that is into play every day among us.

You see the studies shows that the divorce rates are high from the ages of 18 to 30. Why? for one people are still young and trying to live this thing called life. Next is that people fall in love faster, so they’re quick to get marry and start a family.

What comes along after this is the buying of a home. Since the divorce rate is so high for this age group usually within the first 2 to 5 years people are seeking a divorce. Judges usually suggesting the divorcing couple to sell off their properties and split the gain.

What Does This Mean?

Means there are over 200k to around 500k divorces in place each and every year with the couple who are highly motivated to sell off their properties. To a seasoned agent this ring in as unlimited supply of listings for their business.

The object here is to find a solution on how to get in contact with those going through a divorce. Let me share a few of them.

• Facebook/Google AdWords
• Newspapers

First, you will need to get a section on your website that you blog about selling your house in a divorce, and setup a landing page that will include a simple lead magnet you can give away. This leads magnet can be a video, PDF, online guide or a checklist.

Once you get this on your website then you can turn to places like Facebook, and target those who are married, separated or engaged.  The key here is just to get your brand in front of them, then allow them to take action by opt-in to get your lead magnet. So if you don’t have a website as a real estate agent for marketing, networking and for listing properties then please don’t waste time get one today.

Seeking Probates and Inherited Property

Sometimes to get a good listing then you must do a lot of work on acquiring a lead. Other gems that a good percentage of agent don’t go after are the probates and inherited properties. These do take a little effort to get in front of because you need to actually do some work upfront.

The key to all this is to start searching your public records. These records are mostly free to view if you visit your local courthouse. If going in is not a good option due to time or ect..then using the courthouse online searches may be your best route.

Now sometimes you may have to pay a fee to use the online system. But regardless the online record system will have all the info you need to find inherited properties and more. From experience, I will be the first one to tell you that it does become addictive seeing tons of valuable leads on the website.

Butter Up FSBO

FSBO’s we call them are all over your local market. There is not one corner you can turn and not see at least one house FSBO. You will see a sign go up in the yard in January then comes July the property is still for sale. Why?

Properties that are being sold in this fashion have different outcomes. Many signs go up and the property is gone in no time. It’s those other ones who you see on the market for months, and it just itches you to knock on the door to see why it hasn’t sold.

You as an agent business is to get a listing and to even be able to get FSBO’s to even look your way even when they’re trying to sell the property themselves is to think creatively. The question is how can I get on the radar of these people without seeming pushy, disrespectful or intruding.

Hint: Offer Free Help

What you do is create a simple pamphlet where it talks about… How to sell your house in 60 days or Less.

This guide will include tons of info just for them to sell their property on their own for top dollar. You can just talk about staging the house to putting together open houses that attract buyers. But what makes this even better is that at the end of the pamphlet you can include a BIO of you.

Light Bulb Moment: Now you just introduce yourself to them without asking to list their property. Now the power of creative marketing you will likely be the first person they think about if that property doesn’t sell, and listing it is their last option.

Distressed Properties

We all know what distressed properties are, and the situations behind those properties. Some are abandon or just measly not well-taking care of. If I’m looking for an easier listing that I can get then seeking out distressed properties is a way to go.

Finding them is as simple as riding around your city once a month to compile a list of addresses. Next, you should use public records to find the owners to see if they are looking to list the property for sale. Next, you have the property in your listing what do you do now?

I say this because distressed properties don’t usually sell like traditional properties because of the state of the situation. The key is to have people on your team who are investors that you can unload that property once listed. You can do dozens of these if you have the right marketing system in place to keep the leads coming in.

Before moving forward I put together an easy to read simple infographic that highlights a few items. These are just four of the thirteen strategies I’ve got listed in this guide.

Check the Public Records

I mention a little about courthouse public records in an earlier section above. Just to stress it out a little more is that the public records will become your best friend. In the early 2000’s I use to go out and look for distressed properties all day long until I had about 50 of them.

From there I would visit the courthouse to start my investigation process. Once I had the owners info I would get my mailing out, and then cross my fingers. In today’s market, you can just use the online public records to do all this from the comforts of your home.

Being consist is the key because once people around the court understand what you do, and why you want to change out with them all day long then is when you will start getting referrals. Once people know you’re the top agent in town then your name will start to fly.

Expired Listing

Who said being a real estate agent is all about putting together buyers and seller contracts. Who will ever know that you had to go out and find leads? No one told you that it was a business inside a business which something you actually have to work at.

Expired listings are gold nuggets that can be added to your portfolio. You will need to skim through the expired listings to see why some property did not sell. You will need to see was it overpriced or whatever situation it is then you will need to get that listing. Do a simple MLS search to see what you find and make the contact.

The Happy Holiday Approach

One great technique for contacting expired listing property owners is through a creative approach I call “THHP” The Happy Holiday Approach.

There are a number of holidays we all celebrate throughout the year. Use those as introduction ways of getting in front of expired listings. A simple “Happy 4th of July” postcard to an expired listing on top of a call of action on the card will increase leads.

Simple happy holidays on the front of it went a few words about you on the back as being your local community #1 real estate agent. Nothing more nothing less is needed for them to notice you.

Ask for Old Realtors Listings

If you want to know how to get listing right off the back as a beginner agent then think about this. Go to your broker and ask for the list of previous agents who have left for someone or another. Simply ask to see their old files, and you just may come across a gem or two.

No, you won’t find dozens of them because that’s too good to be true. What you will find is contact information you will be able to follow-up on.

Garage Sale Monster

Go out and skim the local papers for garage sales. Sometimes this is the first sign people are looking to move. Getting the property listed with an agent was something that would come alone down the road. Garage sales are unlimited in the bigger cities mostly held on the weekends.

The key is once a month goes out and seem like you buying something and spark a conversation with the owners. From here you will see if their moving or just trying to get rid of junk.

Expert Opinions

Being the so called expert in some field of choice can drastically grow your business. Can’t tell you how much business I personally got in the real estate market of being the so-called “Real Estate Marketing Guy”

Creating the tons of content online to build my online presence have given me a platform to dominate my online market. You as an agent need to take that some approach about your business. If your ultimate goal is to become the leading agent in your local market then you must be found online.

By having a real estate website you can start to target all the locations in your market. Here is what I mean…

You can target any.

• City
• Neighborhood
• Community
• Subdivision
• Zip Code
• ect..

The object is to create content around those locations so when people are searching for help selling their properties then guess who they will find, yep you guessed it…YOUPreviewing Unlimited Listings

Ask and receive 50 Leads

One creative method of getting leads, and not only getting leads but have a chance to get all these leads in one day. The system is easy to do, and once you read this you will be asking yourself why didn’t you come up with this.

Here go…the trick is to already have a home buyer who is looking to buy toady. Next, you need to seek out at least 10 listing online that you can schedule to be shown to your clients. Now you can make these active listing or you can find some expired listing. The goal to have a number of listing you can show your client within a 2 to 3 hrs span.

What you will need to do is show the client the listing that’s on your list of properties. While given the client about 10mins to view the property for themselves this will give you time to put your lead generation into action.

You will need to go to the 5 properties across the street and then the 2 to the right and left of the listing property. The goal is to knock on the door and ask the homeowners about any other properties that are for sale in the neighborhood.

Then ask them that you’re looking to sell the property across the street and wondering do they know anyone who will be interested. If they do then write down that lead info, if not then ask them on whether they ever plan on moving and if so, when and where.

Here’s the Kicker

At this point, you have their attention and the only thing you have to do know is giving them something of value where you can capture them as a lead. Now you cam ask for their info and write it down, but the issue is that you don’t want to take up too much of their time with that. Remember your client is still looking at the listing so you don’t have much time to spare. Your goal is to make this conversation no more than 1min long.

Just ask for their name and number then proceed with a handshake, and inform them that you will contact them tomorrow to share with them property value, moving strategies and more.

Your goal for that day is to talk to at least 80 to 100 homeowners. Maybe your best numbers will be around 50 people who are more reasonable if you schedule these showing after 5 because most people will be home from work.

Now you can take the next day calling those 50 leads and evaluate their situation by just listing to them. Some may be looking to move but a number of them may not be, but regardless of what you will be able to help all of them.

This is the reason why I preach to people that having a real estate website is the best real estate marketing tool ever. Now you can have content on their for those who looking to… buy today, move buy or tomorrow, looking to….

• buy today
• move tomorrow
• looking to sell FSBO
• Need help staging their property
• How to work with realtors
• and more…

You would have them as a lead, and most importantly you will be able to provide the help they need to move forward. A powerful form of marketing if you ask me.

Free meetup/Workshops

People just love that word FREE no matter if it’s a hot dog or some discount a store is having to get you to come in. You as an agent need to start thinking outside of the box when capturing leads.

You see one of the most underused aspects of getting more listing leads to free workshop formula. This when you invite people to a free meetup or workshop and begin the process of educating. Now I haven’t talked about it much here on my blog, but on other platforms, I stress the word “educating”

What you need to do is think about those FSBO, expired listing and etc… Think about how many fo those are out there on the market in your local market. The goal is to get as many as these people into one setting and start educating them on the pain of their situation.

Those FSBO’s who are struggling to sell their properties educate them on the following…

• Staging the property the smart way
• Having open houses
• Smart pricing
• Working with local agents “wink wink”

You will add other elements fo those who have the expired listing, and those who are just in the process of putting their properties on the market.

I’m pretty sure you did not catch the last of the list above, about working with local agents. The genius mind that was given to me works in mysterious ways. Knowing the power of the word “FREE” I understand people don’t want to be sold out.

For this reason, I would educate them on all their pain to give them options. The object will be to induce me to them, and then offer the many ways a realtor like myself can offer an endless amount of marketing and exposure for their properties.

Heck, I’ve done this many time for my local marketing company is to hold these free workshops. When done right you can walk away with at least 20 to 30 solid leads if you can get 100 people to show up.

The Open House Hand Shake

If I’m a new agent one of the things I will be doing at least every other weekend is putting on open houses. Why? the leads will show up already in the mood to buy, but in a fair world most are just looking and what they might be able to afford in the future.

So the key is to capitalize off every person who comes through the door.I’m going to show you a hidden secret of mines that works like a charm if you implement it in this way.

First setup a table at the entrance of the property where you will hand off information on the property, and a short small booklet guide. Your guide will be titled…How to Buy a House in Your DREAM Neighborhood .

Just give them enough of a tease in the booklet to force them over to your website to opt-in to read the entire guide all for free. This is why I stress to my clients is that if you don’t have a real estate website then it will be hard to dominate your local market.

So at the end of the day, you will be able to get tons of leads just by shaking a few hands at the open house.Rentals Are Gold Mines

Renters Are Gold Mines

Targeting renters could be a tremendous gold mine for leads to build your business. People who are renters are also looking to be homeowners also. Even though we are looking for creative ways to gain a listing, we are also looking to work with those who want to homeowners.

One easy way to get these potential buyers is to put a simple ad in the paper to read as such…

Stop Renting

Become a Homeowner Today

Good or Bad Credit

Free Info @

123-456-7890

www.yourwebsiet.com

This simple ad can be run in your local newspaper, real estate magazine or even be posted on Craigslist. Plus you also see that I include my phone and website which is where I post all my free stuff. Doing this will lead to endless amounts of buyer leads. I will create a guide here soon that will show you how to put this in overdrive where you will be turning down leads.

Driving For Dollars

The driving for dollars method worked today as good as it worked 30 years ago. Sometimes you just have to get out and drive neighborhoods. I still remember driving around years ago looking for properties that were abandon or FSBO.

You see I was at that time investing, so besides advertising in the local papers, I was driving for dollars. To be a “Local Dominate Agent” and yea this is a phrase I came up with personally. To become an agent that don’t let anything get past you then you must adapt driving your targeted market.

What you have to do is choose the location you want to do most of your business in, and then go out and put your feet to the pavement. Now, this it’s something you have to do every day or every week. I say going out in the market at least once no more than twice a month is just fine.

“The Local Dominate Agent Roadmap”

I’m not going to get into the making contact side of driving for dollars because I will cover them in more details later in my “Driving for Dollars Lead  Machine Series” Today I just want to cover the magnitude stage you can be on if you approach this form of marketing aggressively.

You should think about the following…

• Type of Neighborhoods
• Gated not Gated
• Single Family
• Mul-Ti Family
• Price Range

Once you understand which road you want to follow then all you have to do is put the plan into action. The is not only drive for leads but also promote yourself through those locations. If possible you can make a deal with a resident owner about putting one of your signs in their yard. Guess what? as people drive into the community they will see that the resident of that property endorse you.

You can also walk the neighborhood and leave educational pamphlet as door hangers. It can be information on growing a healthier greener grass or such. Just make it something free, and educational where you will be able to promote yourself at the end.

There are tons more secret techniques I have but as of now this will help get the engine started.

Real Estate Agents are Friends

Sometimes the best form of leads are right underneath our noses, and we will just ignore it by walking past it day after day. What I’m referring to is the handshake of the other local real estate agents. Yes, if you can shake enough hands, and understand the role you have in this industry then you will see unlimited leads coming your way.

Meaning you have some agents that online deal with the commercial real estate. Some may even deal with only land listing, but overall if you can find enough friends who are in the industry that works in other categories then you may be in business.

What I’m saying is that a lot of agents come across the lead that would make a good listing, but it’s just not their cup of tea. So what you have to do is become that bridge to acquire those leads from them, by you offering leads to them that you’re not interested in.

In real estate we call this a Win-Win-Situation…plus I love this survey the NRA on agents

Piggy Back off Local Businesses

To be able to really dominate your local real estate market then you must network with the local businesses. You see I can talk about this subject all day every day which is the reason why I would be the creating and epic-wow guide on this subject later.

For now, I want you to realize if you can get enough local; business to highlight you, and you can do the same then with how your leads can grow. Let me give you one creative marketing genius tip you can implement that will put your name in front of thousands of people each month.

I left this one for last because Its one of my most creative ways of getting leads which turn into listings. Ok, the goal is to do what they call cross promotion. This nothing more then you promote me then I will promote you just that simple.

Go to as many local businesses and ask them that you will like to promote their brand on your website and on the back of your business cards. Exchange for you to leave your cards on the front counter of their stores/restaurant.

Those who understand the power of marketing will jump at this opportunity and say YES. Now you have your cards on the counter of 20 local businesses that average let’s say 100 people a day coming through their doors.

If you good at doing math then that comes out to around 2k people per day, and around 60k people per month glancing over to see your card. Heck, I don’t care only 1,000 people pickup that cards each month I’m in the business of getting leads and how many of those will turn into listing then the sky is the limit.

Remember this…

When you start the journey  of marketing your business to gain leads and listings you will need to be creative. Those who have a creative mind, and will willing to go the extra mile to get in front of those potential real estate listing then those are the ones who dominate.

The marketing tactic I listed above is some of my most guarded secrets that will put you light years ahead of the local competition. Heck, to be honest, with you this only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the overall marketing strategies in my magic bag.

For those of you who are still on the fence about this form of marketing to capture real estate listing, then I need to share something with for a second. A few years ago I started writing constantly about real estate marketing on the #1 real estate website in the world.Yes, BiggerPockets.

If you Google “Antonio BiggerPockets” you will find what’s listed below in this screenshot. First, you will find my profile which lists all of my real estate marketing writing for them, and then you will see some of my top posts.