Here's 5 top life hacks that really help me as an estate agent. Have you got any you'd share?
I conducted a poll on LinkedIn in December asking it it sounded right that some Self Employed Estate Agency Models warmly welcomed new recuits without any property experience.
'Estate Agency experience is overrated' they say...
I'm not having any of it and these operators should be avoided.
If you love the idea of being an estate agent and the idea of running your own agency is alluring, go work in a reputable, independent high street agency. You'll learn a lot more and faster, get a real taste for the job and even get paid whilst you're there!
Common sense surely?
Some ESTATE AGENTS are OBSESSED with ever rising prices, but perhaps an ‘adjustment’ of values would be healthy.
I ran a poll on LinkedIn asking how big a drop in property values must there be for the word 'CRASH' to be used?
The results are in...
I've two properties launching next week. Both are coming on at asking prices that are too high.
It's fine to take on over-priced properties on one condition...
You might think I'm a one man band Estate Agent, 'jack of all trades' but you'd be wrong.
According to my recent LinkedIn poll, almost 40% of estate agents believe agents should never charge upfront fees. Almost a quarter admit to believing they probably should and just 28% are already in the habit of charging.
Just 10% say client's in their area would never agree to paying an upfront fee.
Recession. It's on the way.
It'll be bad news for many estate agents but unquestionably create opportunities for the industry's best and most adaptable agents.
All estate agents of late will have found themselves in a 'best and final' bids situation with offers pouring in left, right and centre.
But do you give buyers a gentle nudge in the right direction or prefer a 'computer says no approach', remain tight lipped and give nothing away?
Hear my thoughts after my 'best and finals' on two properties last week.
Some agents do and some agents don't.
But what do vendors think of those that measure up on the 1st meeting?
Is it a sign that the agent is thorough and professional? Or could the agent appear overly forward or even amateurish if they DIY measure rather than outsource?
And with just 13% of poll respondents admitting that they can't value a property without one, how do the remaining 87% of respondents cope without whipping out the laser device on valuation appointments?
Been one of those weeks...
Sold most of my stock. Phones quieter. Not much urgency from the vendor's sofas I've sat on this week. Lost a valuation.
We've all had weeks like that, haven't we?
Unsure if you'd make it as a Self-Employed Agent? Practice whilst at your employer to find out.
'Self Gen' is the buzzword in Estate Agency branches these days with instruction numbers wafer thin.
Even the 'big boy' marketeers like Purple Bricks are turning their marketing mix upside down and instructing agents to self-generate new business by way of door knocking, social media and local networking to beef up the number of valuations in the diaries.
These are the tools of being a 'Self Employed Agent.'
So if you can successfully obtain new business for your employer from 'Self Gen' as an 'Employed Agent' you can be pretty confident of success if you chose to set up shop on your own.
Employed UK Estate Agents are spoilt for choice these days should they decide to become Self Employed.
There are models galore to chose from and of course you could fly completely solo.
Some Self Employed models insist you have Estate Agency experience. Others will welcome you on board with zero Estate Agency experience - as long as you pay them the monthly fee of course.
Unethical in my view.
But now that I've proved I can run my own Estate Agency, do I still need EXP?
There's no shortage of estate agency Branch Managers & Office Valuers (particularly the corporates) that take 'passing the buck' to a whole new level.
It's not uncommon for a vendor not to see or hear from the Branch Manager or Office Valuer after they've downed their tea & biscuits and walked out the door with a signed agency agreement.
I intend to take full advantage of that.
Repetition & Consistency are believed to be the keys to getting fit.
You won't see or feel much different after a few weeks of working out but give it 6 months and you'll see and feel the difference.
I see many agents frustrated their leaflet drop or social media post failed to get much traction. Big deal says I.
Keep going. Repeat and be consistent.
On this episode of the Diary of a Self Employed Estate Agent with Simon Taylor, Simon spills his predictions for the year 2022. This isn’t about predicting house prices with a crystal ball.
[00:22 - 02:59] The Paranoia of Estate Agency Bosses
[03:00 - 05:20] Cheap Fees as a Selling Point are OVER
[05:21 - 07:40] Self Employed Agents will Struggle
Key Quotes
“My advice is don't freakin’ go down the rabbit hole of cheap fees. Charge your worth.” - Simon Taylor
‘If [an agent] can't negotiate a decent fee for themselves, how are they going to negotiate the best possible price for your house?” - Simon Taylor
“As a self-employed estate agent, I don't think anybody should beat themselves up, thinking they're a failure, having doubts, or lacking confidence because it's not working after just a few months. It takes time to build those foundations.” - Simon Taylor
Connect with Simon
Website: https://www.propertywithsimon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PropertyWithSimonTaylor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-taylor-no-ordinary-estate-agent®-455995100/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/propertywithsimon
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEPmplP3xedEVUcKNTRU82w
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Multitasking is hugely over rated IMO.
I’m no all rounder and nor do I want to be.
I don’t do lettings.
I don’t deliver leaflets / promo material myself.
I don’t do my own photos, floorplan or videos tours.
I don’t manage my Facebook ad account.
I now have assistance with sales progression.
‘Focus’ is my secret sauce.
‘Focusing’ on just one thing - ‘selling property well.’
If you had a choice between all ‘all rounder’ and a pure specialist, who would you choose?