Lamba Academy

11 Essential Tips for New Real Estate Agents

When it comes to becoming a real estate agent, most think that getting a license is the ultimate goal. In reality, it’s just the beginning and you have to do a lot more to generate profitable leads.

But what exactly do you need to do?

Keep reading to know a number of effective tactics to reach your ideal goal.

Tips for New Real Estate Agents

Having a competitive edge is extremely crucial in today’s day and age and as someone new in the industry, you might find it difficult to achieve. The following tips are a preliminary guide for you to start your endeavor as a licensed real estate agent.

1. Discover Your Brand Identity

The best way to get noticed as a newcomer in the market is by creating a unique persona for your brand.

2. Try Starting as an ISA Or OSA

Before starting as an individual, you need to know how the industry functions. A great way of doing so is working as an ISA or OSA in your initial days as an agent.

3. Network as Much as Possible

You need to build a robust networking system that fetches you a client regularly.

4. Find New Lead Generation Avenues

Apart from your primary source of leads, you should find at least two other methods of lead generation.

5. Locate Your Targeted Audience

To market your business effectively it is essential for you to know who you are trying to convince. identify your targeted audience before your curate marketing strategies.

6. Market Yourself in Targeted Platforms

Your target audience will have certain online platforms that they frequent. Locate them and only invest in promotions there to garner attention only from those that are interested.

7. Focus on the Long Game

One of the most effective tips for new real estate agents is creating a long-term plan instead of running after instant success. 

8. Leverage Time Blocking

No amount of tips will work if you don’t create a routine habit of practicing them. So block out some time in your schedule and stick to it.

9. Find Yourself a Reliable Mentor or Coach

As a novice real estate agent, you should rely on others’ guidance. Do not fall for the pretentious coaches and choose someone that actually practices what he preaches.

10. Try to Have Good Communication

No matter how interested your leads are in making a purchase, whether they actually buy something or not depends on how well you can communicate.

11. Strategize and Implement Robust Techniques

There is no doubt that the real estate market is highly competitive and you would stand no chance at success if you keep using the same age-old methods. Find new strategies and techniques unique to your business.

All these tips for new real estate agents might seem overwhelming, but if you implement them thoroughly you will definitely see positive changes. If you are confused, use this blog as your guide, implement them one at a time and enroll in the Academy for your one stop shop for real estate.

7 Staging Photography Tactics for Real Estate Agents

What first attracts you towards a product?

Its images, right?

Well, a house or any other property for that matter is also simply a product when it is on sale. Photographs play a big role in attracting as well as convincing buyers to take the next step.

As a listing agent, you need to ensure that the pictures you put up are effective at displaying the property’s attractive features.

Here are a few staging photography tactics for real estate agents.

7 Tips to Improve Staging Photography

If you are a real estate business owner chances are you have your own photographer to take care of all this. You should still know how images are taken to better direct your photographer and get exactly what you are looking for.

Some things you can do to improve an image are:

1. Camera Positioning

The main goal here is to take pictures that would make the house look like something out of a catalogue. So, focus more on creating beautiful frames instead of clicking pictures of the location as is.

2. Try to Leverage Natural Light

Hard lights make individual pieces stand out making the entire room look busy. Instead, plan your shoots around weather conditions and take pictures under softer natural light.

This makes the entire frame look harmonious and gives off a much-needed homely vibe.

3. Get the Correct Equipment

Correct equipment can do wonders for an image. This is why professionals prefer to take pictures with a DSLR instead of an iPhone.

You have better control over ISO, white balance, brightness, shutter speed, exposure, etc. ensuring you get impressive shots.

4. Incorporate the View Outside

Individuals consider the surrounding view while purchasing a property. So, if the place has an attractive view, try and incorporate that through open windows.

This will give your audience a glimpse at what they would see should they purchase that property.

5. Take Numerous Test Shots

No matter how great the setting is, unless you take some test shots to check everything looks good, you will not get your money shot. This is one of those staging photography tactics for real estate agents that often get skipped.

6. Do Not Over Edit the Images

Just like lights, you must keep other aspects of the images authentic as well. Otherwise, your buyers might find drastic differences between the images they see and the location they are viewing.

They will feel deceived and might not purchase the house.

7. Plan Around a Color Scheme

Too many pops of colors can make a room look busy and confusing. You don’t want to bewilder the audience’s mind, you want to help them imagine they are living there. To do so, plan the images around a specific color scheme and stick to it.

Use this blog as a guide to create attractive images and compel viewers to contact you to get further information on them.

Images are only one part of the effort you need to put in to get great results. Enroll in AJ Lamba Academy’s course to become the real estate agent you have always aspired to become.

Why Door Knocking and Cold Calling Doesn’t Work Anymore?

Sales is a field where communication plays a significant role. This is why in the early days, sales experts devised tactics like door knocking and cold calling.

Both practices enabled individuals to have conversations with clients ensuring better conversion. However, what was once considered the rule of thumb in the market, is now being cast aside as a waste of time in the real estate community.

But, why?

If you have this question in your mind, here are some reasons why you should stop knocking doors and placing cold calls.

Reasons Why Cold Calling and Door Knocking Doesn’t Work

The following are some factors that played a huge role in making these two sales practices ineffective.

1. Modern Technology

With smart phones, anyone can see who is calling them from an unknown number before even receiving the call. There is a high chance most individuals will not receive your call let alone listen to what you have to say.

Many houses now have cameras installed outside their main gate to ensure they verify individuals before opening the gate. This is why with technology these two techniques hardly get to shine.

2. Substantial Rise in Scams

Scams are synonymous with sales, as salesmen are capable of convincing people left and right. American Express in one of its 2012 blogs predicted the death of door-to-door sales and that is exactly what’s happening.

Know that scams are not limited to door knocking, cold calling also has a bad reputation of robbing individuals. Due to this, the common mass has lost their faith in them.

3. Other Tactics are Better

You can send thousands of individuals a promotional email within the time of just a few calls. And don’t even get started on how many emails you can send given the same amount of time as a single cold call.

The best part is, that you are neither tolerating rude individuals nor exhausting yourself physically with door knocking and cold calling

4. Consumers are Now Smart

These two tactics have been in the market for long enough to make individuals figure them out. Your target audience knows that you are basically there to make some money and probably scam them.

No one wants to hear your desperate plea be it face-to-face or over a call.

Technology also has a role to play in this. At present, one has unlimited resources to check and learn from. Remember, you are no longer trying to convince a novice crowd but well-informed property owners.

These are just a few of the many reasons why simply sticking to door knocking and cold calling might not benefit you.

So, what you should do instead?

Real estate farming of course!

Luckily, the modules offered by the Academy have a thorough explanation of how you can become a professional lead farmer. Enrol yourself and learn how you can bring clients and ensure lead generation.

7 Real Estate Questions Agents Should Know The Answers to

As a real estate agent, you always want to appear confident with your clients. However, sometimes you’re faced with a question you might not have the answer to.

This doesn’t only shake your confidence but may make the seller rethink their decision as well.

The best way to tackle this issue is to prepare answers to all the probable questions beforehand so you can provide prompt replies when you face them.

Here are some real estate questions that you might get asked:

  1. Can You Tell Me More About The Property?

Specific details about a property can help a buyer decide whether they want to purchase it or not. You should have a clear idea of every relevant detail about the property you are trying to sell.

Some of these specifications are:

  • Security
  • Utilities
  • Facilities and Amenities
  • Parking
  • Year built

2. Why Does My Home’s Assessed Value Differ from Its Market Value?
A home’s assessed value is determined yearly by a tax assessor to calculate exactly how much the owner needs to pay as tax.

On the other hand, the market value depends on how well a negotiation went between a buyer and a seller.  It is an agreed-upon value which is often also dependent on the assessed value.

3. What Are Your Marketing Plans for Selling My House?

One of the real estate questions that every seller would ask you is what you plan to do to fetch them the right buyer.

You can have a marketing plan devised for different categories of properties and answer according to the kind your current client is selling. A thorough answer would assure them that they have selected the right agent and that they can trust in you.

4. How Many Houses Should I View Before Buying One?

Understand, while you are showing your clients houses, they are looking for their homes. So, no number will satisfy them. Instead, leverage modern technology and let them take virtual tours of as many properties as they want.

This is exactly what your answer should be as well. Give them access to your digital system and ask them to search until they find their “Home”.

5. How Many of Your Listings Have Been Terminated?

A seller obviously wants to ensure that they are hiring the right agent for the job. So, they might question your success rate before signing a deal.

Give them an honest answer without any fabrication. Your honesty will only strengthen their trust in you as they move forward.

6. Are You Familiar With the Neighborhood I Plan to Buy a House In?

The answer should always be yes. This is why most agents do their homework on the location before meeting their clients for a thorough meeting.

Things you should know about the target neighborhood is:

  • Transportation
  • Schools, hospitals, and shops nearby
  • Development plans
  • Crime rate, etc.
  • How Does this Floor Plan Compare to Others in the Building/Area?

Again, hiding any specific information will only increase their suspicion. Instead, give them a realistic answer with a proper comparison. Always, highlight the advantages of the property you are trying to sell more.

These are just a few of the real estate questions you will be faced with as an agent. Remember, there is a lot more that goes into closing a deal. If you are wary of whether you can convert leads or not, it is best to seek guidance from a trusted mentor, someone who has done it themselves. AJ Lamba Academy’s online courses prepare you for both the market and most importantly for your clients.

5 Reasons Why Your Real Estate Business Needs a Website

This is the age of convenience, hardly anyone wants to leave their house if they can browse or order something first. Real estate now uses technology for 3D tours, video calls and listings.

It’s also common for brokerages as well as individual real estate agents to have a virtual office. So, if you are still wondering whether to have your own website or not, here are some reasons why you should.

5 Reasons to Have a Real Estate Business Website

The advantages of having a website for your business are:

1. Improve Your Brand Presence

Instead of remaining as just another real estate agent in a contact directory, a website helps you spread your name. Websites help you create a brand and promote it through your site.

You can showcase your expertise, list properties you have from seller clients and give your leads a place to assess your credibility. The more your name pops up organically for searches related to real estate the better for your overall business.

2. Network with Traffic Through Blogs

A great way to showcase your knowledge about the industry is through posting blogs on current and core topics.

You can discuss market conditions, advise your traffic on certain real estate practices and even urge them to comment their opinion. This way, you will not just get new leads but build a community that you can network with.

2. Integrate CRM Software in Listings

By integrating your CRM software into listings you put on your site you will be able to channel interested buyers directly into your database. This way, you will ensure a better user experience for them and increase the number of individuals who interact with what you have to offer.

You will also be able to effectively communicate with all individuals visiting the listings and  improve your chances of actually making a sale.

3. Become the Go-To Agent

As it was mentioned earlier, people nowadays look for online alternatives to everything they require. So, your real estate business website offers them a digital agent and a platform to browse through multiple listings.

Since it is your own website and not a shared platform. All the traffic that you get is yours, which you can then navigate towards contacting you for further assistance.

4. Get Attention from Your Target Audience

The great part about a personal website is that you get to customize it to your specific needs. Optimize your website with keywords and images targeting the demographic you want to work with and algorithms on their search results.

This way, you can ignore unwanted attention and not have to waste your time and energy on someone you do not want to do business with.

There are multiple online platforms that let you create a website all by yourself or you can choose to get one professionally made for you. Whichever the case, make sure it reflects your values and captures your brand to its fullest essence.

5 Ways to Avoid Burnout as a Real Estate Agent

No work is easy and being a real estate agent is no exception. Realtor’s are constantly thinking of ways to ensure better lead generation and conversion.

It already sounds exhausting and it is just the tip of a huge iceberg. So, it is understandable that you overwork yourself both mentally and physically.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can easily avoid real estate agent burnout with the tips listed below for you.

5 Ways to Not Get Burnout as a Real Estate Agent

While burnout might look different in different people, just like its cause, its remedies are universal in nature. Use the following suggestions to ensure your performance as a real estate agent doesn’t affect your health and well-being:

  1. Set Boundaries

One of the root causes of burnout is, not knowing when to stop working. So start with setting boundaries for yourself and keep your work limited to the office.

If you struggle with completing a given task within working hours, create a schedule and strictly separate your working hours from leisurely ones.

  • Acknowledge Stress

Do not criticize yourself or anyone for taking some time off of work. Acknowledge that they have overworked themselves and deserve to recuperate.

Stigmatizing stress would only mean you will never relax even if you take the most calming vacation.

  • Learn New Skills

Real estate agent burnout can also happen due to stagnancy. You lose interest in the business as there is nothing new to challenge you.

Hence, actively seek coaching to learn new things and improve. We at AJ Lamba Academy, offer comprehensive coaching that you can access from anywhere. You can check the modules listed there to learn new ways to sell properties.

  • Know Your Limits

As discussed earlier, you need to know when to stop working. It’s not just about bringing work home. But you need to understand you can only do so much.

Take enough breaks while working and only set realistic goals that you and your team can fulfill with ease.

  • Celebrate Your Success

If you can ostracize yourself for failing at something, why not reward yourself when you have done something successfully. And if you have a team, celebrate together.

This is a great way of reminding your mind that you are succeeding.

The mental relaxation you will get from this will eventually ease other aspects of your burnout as well.

In conclusion, cut yourself some slack, focus on doing just what is required and do not go above and beyond to achieve the unusual.

You will always have someone doing better than you and someone worse. But neither is your actual competition. The real success lies in improving from where you stood yesterday. If you are able to maintain that, it is enough.

If you want to know ways to make work simpler, enroll in the Academy.

5 Tips to Improve Your Communication Skills

There is no place effective communication won’t take you.  Go ahead, think of one.

From, enrolling in your dream university to inspiring individuals, words, when properly used, can do wonders. That is why communication is one of the most sought-after skills in the real estate market.

If you want to learn how to use words more effectively, keep reading.

5 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills

These tactics will ensure you can convey your thoughts like a pro:

1. Read More

The great speakers you see excelling in the market do not want you to know this, but the best way to become a great communicator is to read more.

Not just study materials, but stories, news and almost any piece of text you come across. Why?

Because, this will help you learn trends, understand different settings and improve your vocabulary.

2.Listen Carefully

I’m sure you must have been told to become a better listener. Remember, simply listening is of no use, if you cannot interpret it properly.

Before you pitch anything, listen to what your client has in mind, their needs and expectations. If you build your statements based on that you can address all their questions adequately.

Go beyond just listening to what they are saying and pay attention to how they are saying it. One’s body language gives off a lot more than one thinks.

This is also why the next thing you need to do to improve your communication skills is…

3. Work On Your Body-Language

Proper eye contact is said to be a sign of confidence, and crossed arms represent unwelcoming nature.

Be careful with your body language when having a video or face-to-face conference with your clients. From the way you stand, to the way you nod can influence their decision to choose you as their realtor.

4. Make a Note of Everything 

Communication becomes effective when the other party feels acknowledged and important. When listening make sure you take some mental notes. This way, the next time you speak to them, you are replying to their needs.

It also helps to make a note of what you are going to say before a meeting. This way, you will not be at a loss for words in the middle of a meeting.

5. Don’t Be Over-Reactive

This might be your 15th deal, and you have heard all that can be said already. But keep in mind, this is most likely the first for your client.

So, even though it seems unnecessary, let your clients finish their thoughts. Don’t talk over them or complete their sentences, even if you are 100% accurate.

Use this to guide to improve your communication skills and bring in better business. These are not temporary tactics, but practices that you need to practice like a muscle. Only then you can succeed at communicating effectively.

4 Must Have Skills for Real Estate Agents

It is understandable that during a time where every other individual is “hustling”, you too feel the need to overwork. However, the hustle culture is a scam and you should stay away from it.

Instead, invest your time wisely and focus on developing practical skills as a real estate agent.

Here are 4 crucial capabilities that you should have to ensure your success in the industry.

Important Skills for a Real Estate Agents          

Incorporate the following to improve your lead conversion.

1. Excellent Negotiation

Your job as an agent is to negotiate the best case scenario for your client.

Though keep in mind most clients tend to have unrealistic expectations from their property.

Negotiation helps you communicate the practical limitations of a property while building a relationship with your client.

To ensure this, you can check the client’s background, their property and your limits before you decide the deal is not worth your time and effort.

2. Effective Problem Solving

Being a real estate agent is not a desk job. You are meeting new people constantly, meaning new issues can pop up almost anytime.

The ability to find a quick solution to these problems will separate you from your competition. A great way to do that is by listing issues and figuring out their solutions before they even arise.

Although the chances of encountering identical issues are slim, you will still have the groundwork to base your solutions off of.

3. Noticeable Integrity

Believe it or not, remaining ethical and maintaining your integrity in this industry is a skill.

It is very easy to give in to unethical practices to have a faster conversion process and get more leads. But such benefits are short lived, and your reputation as an agent will get tarnished forever for using unethical methods.

Instead, get yourself a mentor that will lead you to the correct path in real estate and help you get similar results ethically.

4. Impeccable Marketing Capabilities 

Being a real estate agent today means you are also a business owner, irrespective of whether you have a team or not. Your name itself becomes a brand and you need to market it properly to get leads.

Apart from gaining knowledge about the industry, you must also have proper marketing skills. Your leads need to come across you the moment they feel like selling their property.

This way, you do not have to go to them, they will contact you in due time.

These are just some of the many fundamental skills a real estate agent needs. Keep learning as you move forward in your career as this will help you have an upper hand over your competitor, providing you with better results.