Tuesday, December 8, 2015

10 Tips to Consider Before Buying Your First Investment Property


Taking the initial plunge into investing can be a nerve-racking move. What should you buy? Who can you trust? And most harrowing of all: What if you end up losing money?

1. Are You Ready to Invest?

2. Do You Have a Plan?

3. What Kind of Property Should You Start With?

4. What is the Neighborhood Like?

5. What are the Local Vacancy Rates?

6. Do You Know All Your Investment Expenses?

7. How Will You Finance Your Property?

8. Should You Self-Manage or Hire a Professional Manager?

9. Can You Be Your Own Bookkeeper?

10. Do You Have an Exit Strategy?

Always keep in mind that your investment property is used for one thing; making you money.
Your property is not only an investment unit, its’ part of your business. Always conduct your business wisely and with strong business ethics. You will make all the necessary repairs for your tenant to live safely and comfortably in the home. You want your property to be appealing to renters, but you don’t have to go overboard. While it’s important to add your personal touch, you must also make smart financial decisions in order for your business to survive.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Personal Branding for Real Estate Professionals

 
 
About Agent Basics, Inbound Marketing real-estate-branding
 
Why would you buy a house from yourself?
If you can’t answer that question, it’s time to work on your real estate personal brand. People choose who they do business with based on a number of different factors, including presentation, demeanor, experience and passion. Your brand combines your beliefs with your business practices and this is what people gravitate to when seeking out a real estate professional.
 
Authenticity real-estate-branding
Anything other than the real you won’t do. Discover exactly what makes you fascinating. Build your brand on your true strengths. As a real estate professional, your goal should always be to attract clients who identify with you and your abilities. The same skills you have at building friendships can be utilized to build trust with clients. People make decisions every day in the industry based on gut instinct, and insincerity just won’t work.
 
Focus real-estate-branding
Blurry brands languish. Define your brand with a focused niche to connect with the minds of those you aim to influence.  If you’re having trouble clarifying your message, bring it back to the basics. Why do you love real estate? People? Your town? Great architecture? Try to remember the first reason you got into this field. Or think about the first sale you made. Use those emotions to drive your messaging.
 
Slogan
Your brand should be the promise you make. Work at developing a unique selling proposition and express it in a concise, memorable slogan.
 
Real estate is an evolutionary, exciting, personable market; why did you choose to become a part of it? These are all integral questions you should be able to answer honestly and easily. Condense these ideas down and sum them up with one sentence — this is your slogan.
 
 
 
 
Voice/Video real-estate-branding
 People remember how you made them feel. What you say is important, but how you say it is even more important. Develop a unique and genuine voice.  Are you a quirky individual that comes across as stiff in your writing? Do you sound genuine in person and forced online? Are you an older professional trying to make connections with younger clientele? Try to use language that is true to how you speak, and make sure that it sends the right message to your clients.
 
Understand Triggers real-estate-branding
 Weak brands focus solely on intellectual arguments. Strong brands tap into emotions. The subject you need to master is psychology. Become a student of it. People buy houses on based on feelings and what it will do for their personal lives, not just property stats. Dig deep and try to comprehend emotionally what the people you are selling to be looking for. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
 
Photo real-estate-branding
Your face must appear all across the social sphere. Don’t scrimp here. Hire a pro to do a photo shoot and pick the portrait that says, “I’m your friend.”
A personal brand is heavily based on visuals. Find a picture that drips with confidence and friendliness. Post it all over your social and make it your visual signature. If you don’t have one, hire someone to make you look great.
 
Content real-estate-branding
 Valuable content has magnetic power. Create an interesting mix of content to earn the mindshare and trust your brand needs. After you decide who you are, share what you know. Your content is the key to conveying that message of your brand. Choose to share insightful knowledge. Use interesting content to challenge the status quo of a classic industry. Don’t forget to ask questions: Ask your audience for their ideas and input. Everyone who’s looking for new homes can benefit from an expert comment or two.
 
 
 
 
 
Questions
Ask questions. Ask people to tell you their stories. Ask for their ideas. And then listen closely. Everyone loves a good listener. Questions can be drawn from every corner of your life, whether that’s in person or online. Listening to people’s real estate needs or past experiences (good and bad) can help you grow your knowledge base of potential client dos and don’ts. Social is a great resource for potential new business strategies and content. Listening can be the difference between finding properties a client “likes” to sign papers.
 
Keywords real-estate-branding
 When surfers go a-Googling, which words will lead them to you? Build a short list of the most relevant keywords and use them often. Pick out some relevant keywords for your business area. Decide which words from your website and social pages have the most traction, and integrate them appropriately into your content, pages, and social media. The phrases you choose should accurately describe your business but also who you are as a professional.
 
Media real-estate-branding
 Media is more complex than ever, and more vital. Identify the outlets that are most valued in your field, and use their tools to elevate your brand. Social media and multimedia channels are the best way to get your messaging out there quickly and creatively. It’s free exposure, and if you’re message and ideals are constructed properly, it will enhance your brand. If you aren’t getting interviews or spotlights from major media, build from within. Hire a video production team or take some tips from video experts and make some impressive content to share. Video is also a great piece of content to share on social media.
 
Graphic Design
Everything you create should be presented with class and continuity. Develop a tasty logo, color palette, and design standards that reflect well on your brand. Design is a crucial piece of making your brand message sing. Remember to compose a striking logo that translates the qualities of your slogan. Consider getting a pro on this one: The more professional your designs look, the more weight your brand will have.
 
 
 
 
Network real-estate-branding
Make connections locally, regionally, and globally. Have a business card or something of even greater value to distribute. Follow up and follow through. Use social media to reach out and connect with new business partners and potential clients alike. But don’t focus on just business. Make sure that people know and trust you and your brand way before they’re thinking of real estate. And when they do? You will immediately pop up in their heads as a reference to a friend or family (or perhaps themselves).
 
Influencer’s real-estate-branding
 Influential professionals have prominent friends. Seek out leaders. Surround yourself with them. Find ways to be of value to them.  There is a world of real estate professionals out there who have years of skills and knowledge to impart. Seek out those who you can make you better — it’s the best way to become a leader.
 
Zeal real-estate-branding
 Zeal is a “strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes one determined to do something.” Without it, there’s no point in building a personal brand. This is something that should come naturally if you’re passionate about your work and your brand. Channeling this energy will make the difference of new and exciting business opportunities.