On ActiveRain.com, there is reference to a study done at Baylor University concerning the effectiveness of agent marketing: how many dollars spent in which areas lead to the best results.

The main thrust of the study was to relay their findings on what really gets a consumer to contact one agent over another. The researchers found that inspiring clients by appealing to their emotions and values worked the best. Simply saying that "I can sell your home faster and for more money" does not cut it anymore. The "I am a million dollar producer" type of self-promotion falls on deaf ears too, most of the time.

Tagged: Agent Research Online Marketing

Tagged: Agent Research Reporting Trends

Three recent events brought to the fore the concept there is marketing and there is intelligent marketing. The difference is using business information tools, not available in the past, to become more efficient and intelligent in your marketing efforts. And at no time can we recall how critical and pivotal being more efficient and intelligent is than in today’s market.

The three events were 1) the results of a test program done by California based RealAgile using direct mail to a large audience of homeowner prospects, 2) a revealing statement made by an executive of Broker Metrics at the recent REAL Trends Leadership Institute regarding targeted recruiting and 3) a program launched by Quantum Training Systems in generating prospective new sales professionals from outside the industry. In each case the process of targeting prospects, whether potential sellers for real estate sales professionals or potential new or transfer sales professionals for a brokerage was refined using business information to make the process both more intelligent and efficient.

Tagged: Agent Evaluation Coaching Trends

Over the past year, many of have received emails from Point2 seeking feedback about the real estate market in your area. This has allowed them to track current market trends, and long term outlooks – ultimately providing real estate professionals insight into what is happening in the market and where it may be headed.

By participating each month, Point2 was able to gather data from some of the best in the field (like you!) and develop an informative document called The Real Estate Confidence Index.

This June marks a bit of a milestone…it was one year ago they first created the Real Estate Confidence Index. The past year has seen some pretty cool things, including being featured in some of the industry’s highest profile publications, such as INMAN News, REALTOR Magazine Online, and RIS Media.

While there has been market ups and downs, Point2 can only hope for more positive change in the real estate market. 

They[...]

Tagged: Agent Research Reporting Education

After CMLS, there was a groundswell of discussion about the rights brokers are giving up when they send their listings to third party websites. WAV Group went to school on the terms and conditions of several of the leading third-party websites. We were specifically focused on the rights to display, distribute and maintain listing data.

We learned that in some cases the broker is transferring the irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, fully paid, royalty-free license to use, retain, transmit, copy, create derivative work of, sell, or distribute the broker’s listing data to other parties or sub-licensees. Bottomline, brokers are giving away rights to their listings they may not be aware of.

We also learned that all third-party listing sites are NOT created equal. WAV Group has researched this issue and produced a white paper on the topic that has been designed to help brokers ask the right questions before they syndicate their listings.

Click here to download

Tagged: Agent Broker Advice Editorial Recommendation Trends

Consumers simply do not want to be “sold” anymore. They have become cynical about advertising claims and “its all about me” advertising. They dont want to hear an agent's claims of greatness. They want to understand what you can do for them. They want to know that your claims are backed up by legitimate experience and insights you can bring to them. They want you to prove why you are the best agent or broker for them. Simply making promises of greatness is not enough to attract consumers anymore.

Customers trust brands in the same way they trust other people. When a company performs consistently against its stated values and follows through on commitments consumers generally trust them. Those that say one thing and do another are those who are abandoned after their one chance.

According to the 2009 California Home Buyers and Sellers Survey from the California Association of REALTORS®, consumers are asking REALTORS® to provide more relevant information and support throughout the real estate transaction. They dont simply want a nice marketing campaign and promises of greatness. They[...]

Tagged: Agent Consulting Research