It’s a new year, full of new opportunities. If you’re looking to develop a new real estate skill, improve on a certain area, or explore a new niche, the new year is the perfect time to start. Here are five real estate New Year’s resolutions you need to consider to be competitive in 2015.
1. #TackleSocialMediaNow
Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and other social media sites can be incredibly beneficial to your business as a real estate professional. They can help you stay in contact with your current clients, allow you to communicate with prospective clients, and let you showcase your most recent listings or blog posts.
2. Reconnect With Past Clients
A survey by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) said 86 percent of buyers would likely use the same real estate sales agent again or recommend them to others. As one of your New Year’s resolutions, make a conscious effort to keep in touch with past clients by trying to reconnect. Make a social network connection (see resolution 1!), send them a monthly newsletter, give them a call, or host a party. Regardless of what you do to keep in touch, be consistent in your contact, for these clients can help you to build a referral base which can send new and repeat business your way.
3. Invest in Your Real Estate Education
With the new year comes new changes in the market-are you up to speed on all of them? Real estate continuing education and professional development courses can help you stay updated on the developing trends and advancements. You can find many new courses available at McKissock.
4. Explore a New Niche
If you haven’t defined your real estate niche, the New Year is the perfect time to do so. Whether you decide to target young or senior home buyers, first-time home buyers, luxury homes, investment properties or vacation-home sellers and buyers, make sure you know these categories inside and out. Once you define your real estate niche, demonstrate your knowledge by marketing towards those interested in your specialty. By becoming an expert in a specific area and focusing your efforts on your most successful client group, you will be able to gain recognition which can lead to increased business.
5. Investigate Hot Topics
As a real estate professional, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the hot topics that will shape the real estate market in 2015. Current hot button topics in real estate include how the legalization of marijuana impacts real estate, the increase of green building, the benefits and drawbacks of pocket listings, among many others. Become familiar with one or more of these hot real estate topics by spending some time each day conducting research or reading online postings. (This is where we insert a shameless plug for this blog-visit us often!)
What are your real estate New Year’s resolutions for 2015? Share them in the comments below.
