How to Handle FSBO Objections–LarsonEd

Naples Real Estate School

As you saw in our previous post, approaching FSBOs can be a good way to gain a new client. FSBOs often want to save on the commission by doing it themselves, but don’t realize how much extra time and effort it will take them to sell their own property.

Your job is to handle their objections to you taking on their property in a way that will convince them that you are worth the commission.

Here are responses to 5 common FSBO objections (Source: REALTOR Magazine):

1. If the FSBO says:

I’m sure I’ll get a buyer in no time. I’ve had the house on the market only a week, and I’ve already had 3 people come to see it.”

Counter with:

“It’s great that you’ve had so much interest, but how many of those people come back a second time? One of the problems with showing a house is that you get a lot of browsers who just like to see other people’s homes.”

2. If the FSBO says:

“I can’t afford to pay a real estate commission. I need every cent I can get from the sale to put toward my new house.”

Counter with:

“I know it’s important to have the biggest down payment possible. But an NAR survey (the Profile of Home buyers and Sellers) found that, on average, people who sell their homes through a real estate professional receive a price that is 27% higher than people who sell their homes themselves. So even with my commission, you’ll probably come out ahead.”

3. If the FSBO says:

“What do I need you for? I can put up a sign in my yard.”

Counter with:

“It’s true that your sign will attract buyers, but many of them won’t be able to afford your home. When I get a call from a house sign, I can prequalify buyers. In addition, I won’t just put up a sign. I’ll actively market your listing, through the MLS and other means, to brokers who are already working with qualified buyers.”

4. If the FSBO says:

“If I list my property, it will be with my friend who’s in real estate.”

Counter with:

“It’s great to be loyal to your friends. But can you afford to list your property with a friend for 60 or 90 days and take the chance it won’t sell? If you’re planning to buy another home, that’s a big gamble. Our company sells homes in your area fast. (Provide the number of days on market.) Also, I’ve found that when working with friends, it’s hard to fire them if they don’t perform.”

5. If the FSBO says:

“I can do this myself.”

Counter with:

“Of course, you’re smart enough to do what has to be done. But why spend all the time figuring out something you may not do more than a few times in your life? Let someone who has experience do the work for you. If you decide to try to sell on your own, I’ll be glad to give you a list of all the forms you’ll need. (Quantify the number of forms to demonstrate the sheer volume of paperwork involved in selling a home.)”

If you recognize and are able to counter these common objections, you’ll be more likely to make a FSBO your client.

Coming soon:

Open House Tips Part 1

f you are a new Florida real estate professional, make sure you complete your Post-Licensing Education before your 1st license expiration date. If you are a seasoned veteran, it’s never too early to get your Continuing Education done. Either way, Larson Educational Services has you covered with timely and market-ready information taught in professional classrooms by instructors who care about your success.

Learn more about the courses we have to offer in Fort Myers, Naples or Online at the following link – http://www.larsoned.com/realestate/ – or simply call a friendly Larson representative at (239) 344-7510.

Larson Educational Services looks forward to earning the right to be your real estate school of choice!

Larson Educational Services
1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
info@LarsonEd.com
239-344-7510
http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/
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How to Get a For Sale By Owner Listing–LarsonEd (VIDEO)

Naples Real Estate School

 

http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/

How to Get a For Sale By Owner Listing–LarsonEd

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Larson Educational Services
Royal Palm Square
1400 Colonial Blvd, Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-344-7510
http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/
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Expired Listing Advice–Naples Real Estate School (VIDEO)

Naples Real Estate School

Expired Listing Advice–Naples Real Estate School (VIDEO)

http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/

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Larson Educational Services
Royal Palm Square
1400 Colonial Blvd, Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-344-7510
http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/
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Expired Listing Advice–Naples Real Estate School

Naples Real Estate School

An expired listing isn’t the end of the world and it isn’t the end of your relationship with a client. However, you will have to put in a little work to keep the seller’s trust and make sure you do everything you can to get their home sold.

Here are 5 tips for what to do when your listing is about to expire:

1. Check your Multiple Listing Service

Find the average number of days on the market for homes comparable to your listing, and use this figure to demonstrate to the owner that the listing should be extended.

2. Complete a CMA

This can be used to determine whether the price on your listing still reflects the market price. It may be the case that your client is trying to get too much for a property that is not worth it. Try to use these numbers to convince them that the house will be more likely to sell at a lower price.

3. Discuss with your clients what you’ve done to market the house

Develop a new marketing plan with a different approach, and present it to the sellers when you ask for a renewal. Don’t wait until the last minute to discuss a listing extension with your client. Your goal is to build trust, and discussing extension options before the listing expires lets the client know that you are organized and aware of the situation with the expired listing.

4. Try to get information from other real estate agents about your listings

Perhaps you can form a solid relationship with a mentor agent who can give you advice about your listings and give you possible tips for improvement.

5. Earn a referral fee if nothing else

If you don’t think you’ll be able to sell the listing, let a trusted colleague know it’s about to expire, and earn a referral fee.

Using these ideas will have you better equipped to handle a listing that is about to expire and inspire confidence in your client.

Coming soon:

How to Approach a FSBO

If you are a new Florida real estate professional, make sure you complete your Post-Licensing Education before your 1st license expiration date. If you are a seasoned veteran, it’s never too early to get your Continuing Education done. Either way, Larson Educational Services has you covered with timely and market-ready information taught in professional classrooms by instructors who care about your success.

Learn more about the courses we have to offer in Fort Myers, Naples or Online at the following link – http://www.larsoned.com/realestate/ – or simply call a friendly Larson representative at (239) 344-7510.

Larson Educational Services looks forward to earning the right to be your real estate school of choice!

Larson Educational Services
1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
info@LarsonEd.com
239-344-7510
http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/
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Open House Tips Part 1–Naples Real Estate School

Naples Real Estate School

Once you have selected an area to farm and you have prospected for clients, you will be ready to start selling homes. One tool for selling a client’s home is to hold an open house.

The professional real estate community appears to be split on whether it’s a good idea to hold an open house or not. The successful real estate agents we have interviewed report that at least 20% of their sales were to buyers they met at an open house.

An open house can be a good source of both buyer and seller leads. Some agents will hold open houses on homes listed by other agents within their firm just for the possibility of gaining leads and experience. Assuming the home is presentable, spotless from top to bottom, priced correctly, and located in a high traffic area, here are tips to improve the odds that the house will sell at an open:

1. Try different times and days.

You may find that the prospects in your farm area do not turn out to open houses on Saturday afternoons because the people in the area are really big into college football, but late Sunday mornings yield a good turnout because they don’t care about the NFL games on Sundays. This will simply take some time to figure out what works best for the area.

2. Invite neighbors and targeted prospects.

Maybe you know of a certain prospect who would have a unique interest in the house you are showing because it offers them a chance to expand their living space. And you know what this prospect is looking for because you have been keeping in touch with them. Invite them to the open house even if they live in an area outside of your farm, because this prospect with the unique interest in a property will be more likely to make the purchase.

3. Place signs at appropriate areas.

Also, remember to include your name on the sign so even if people are not interested in that open house, they can come out to more of your showings in the future.

4. Advertise online.

It’s 2014. You have no reason not to be advertising your open house online. However, be careful about spamming your Facebook friends with open house information that does not pertain to them because that is a sure way to get blocked (this applies to any social media website). Write colorful, descriptive ads and place them in web classifieds or open house directories.

Using these 4 tips when holding an open house will increase the odds that the house will sell and/or you will gain more prospects in the process.

Coming soon:

Open House Tips: Part 2

For a list of prospecting and farming tips, check out our previous posts:
Prospecting tips #1
Prospecting tips #2
Farming tips #1

Larson Educational Services
1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
info@LarsonEd.com
239-344-7510
http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/
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Developing Your Farm Part 2–Naples Real Estate School

Naples Real Estate School

As you saw in our previous post, Farming is the process real estate agents working or prospecting an area of interest for sellers and buyers. For a refresher on Prospecting, check out our post called “What is Prospecting, Why is it Necessary, and Why it Scares Most Agents.

Once you have selected the area you want to farm using the criteria outlined in the previous post, you will need to do some more research. You have now selected an area you may want to farm based on your feelings or first impressions, now you need to see if the data back up your notions.

What should you look for when researching the area you want to farm?

1. Write down every listing in the area and who has it.

Be aware if there is one dominant agent. You shouldn’t, however, let yourself be intimidated by a prominent agent. You know what you are capable of and what your strengths are, and there is no way one single agent has every niche covered. Find a way to enter the niche in the market and expand from there. However, if there is not already a dominant agent, that only means you can become the dominant agent.

2. Make your own directory of the area you plan to farm.

You can order this directory any way you like to make the information easier to understand based on your goals and preferences.

3. Tour homes currently on the market.

This helps you increase your intimacy with the market in a way that you probably can’t get by looking at listings online. The more intimate you are with the farming area, the more easily you can sell it.

4. Use sold information to track activity over the past two years.

We would usually say to track this information all the way back to five years ago (in this case it would be 2007), but the listing information from before the bubble burst will not be helpful. Remember, it’s better to work smart rather than work hard.

5. Become familiar with major points of interest in the area.

Is there a large shopping center? Is there a baseball spring training facility nearby? Is there a park in the neighborhood? The more information you know about the farming area, the better off you will be.

When you do choose your farming area, and you are out prospecting for new buyers and sellers, remember to keep in touch with past clients. If you keep track of where they are at in their lives by staying in touch with them on a regular basis. People will remember the simple action of sending a card or giving them a call and will remain loyal to you as an agent.

Using these ideas for research, you will be better equipped to decide if an area is suitable for you to becoming your farming area.

Coming soon:

Open house tips: Part 1

For a list of prospecting tips, check out our previous posts here and here.

Larson Educational Services
1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
info@LarsonEd.com
239-344-7510
http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/
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Developing Your Farm Part 1: Selecting Your Area

When we talk about “Farming” for real estate agents, we aren’t talking about tilling the fields and harvesting your crop…at least not literally. What we mean by Farming is working or prospecting an area of interest for sellers and buyers. For a refresher on Prospecting, check out our post called “What is Prospecting, Why is it Necessary, and Why it Scares Most Agents.

The area you choose to farm (for clients) can be based on any special interest focusing on geographic or non-geographic factors. Your farm should be chosen on your personal goals, interests, and specific market area. How do you go about selecting your area?

1. Consult with your manager about available areas.

They may have a better idea of the market and can give you a sense of where the sellers and buyers are. Also, if you have good relationships with other agents, you can get tips from them as well.

2. Do you feel comfortable with the area?

It may seem obvious, but you would be surprised with how many agents make drive themselves crazy by planting their roots in an area that isn’t comfortable for them, no matter how many sales they’re making.

3. Is the economic base enough to support your goals?

Even if you like the area, you have to make sure you do the research to determine if there is enough inventory and if there are enough prospects.

4. Determine if you want the area.

200-300 homes is a good target in the beginning. Once you become more comfortable, you may want to expand your farm or even move to a new farm. Using these 4 points as criteria for selecting your farm, you will ensure that success will attend your efforts.

Coming soon:

Developing Your Farm Part 2: Researching the Area

For a some industry-proven prospecting tips, check out our previous posts: Prospecting Tips Part 1, Prospecting Tips Part 2 If you are a new Florida real estate professional, make sure you complete your Post-Licensing Education before your 1st license expiration date. If you are a seasoned veteran, it’s never too early to get your Continuing Education done.

Either way, Larson Educational Services has you covered with timely and market-ready information taught in professional classrooms by instructors who care about your success. Learn more about the courses we have to offer in Fort Myers, Naples or Online at the following link – http://www.larsoned.com/realestate/ – or simply call a friendly Larson representative at (239) 344-7510.

Larson Educational Services looks forward to earning the right to be your real estate school of choice!

Larson Educational Services

3073 South Horseshoe Drive, Suite 122

Naples, FL 34104

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/

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Top 10 Prospecting Tips for Real Estate Agents: Part 2

Top 10 Prospecting Tips for Real Estate Agents (Part 2)

For a quick introduction to prospecting, check out our post, “What is Prospecting, Why is it Necessary, and Why it Scares Most Agents.”

And click here for Part 1 of the Top 10 Prospecting Tips for Real Estate Agents.

Now that you know what prospecting is and why it’s important, we can get into the details of how exactly to prospect for clients. Most of these tips require no special talent, only effort and organization, but they will put you on the fast-track to finding buyers and sellers who want to do business with you.

5. Practice proper phone etiquette

When you call to introduce yourself or check in with a prospect, ask if they are busy. If so, see if there is a better time to call them back. It’s important to be persistent when you’re selling homes, but if the prospect is giving you a stand-offish vibe, then it’s best to back off.

4. Hand-address any mail you send

Hand-written letters increase the likelihood that they’ll be opened because they add a personal touch. Mailing too many letters to hand-address? Choose a computer typeface that looks like handwriting and the effect can still be noticed.

 3. Contact your best prospects first

Time is finite, and if you are doing your job right with prospecting, you will have so many people in your phone that you won’t be able to contact all of them for every listing. So contact your best prospects first, the ones who you know would be interested in a certain property and are pre-approved.

2. Build your email list

You can do this by sponsoring an occasional online contest. Tell interested prospects they must enter via email and will be notified the same way. Offer a good prize—a television or a dinner for two at a hot restaurant. For each contest offer a different kind of prize. Sooner or later, you’ll motivate most people to participate.

1. Ask prospects for just 5 minutes

Tell them that in exchange for a 5 minute appointment you will give them tips on how to increase their home’s value—and stick to it! When that 5 minutes is up, let them know that you appreciate their interest but the time they promised you has run out. More often than not, this show of respect will get them to invest even more time into you because they will see this as a trust-worthy attribute.

Coming soon: The 4 S’s of the Prospecting Cycle.

If you are a new Florida real estate professional, make sure you complete your Post-Licensing Education before your 1st license expiration date. If you are a seasoned veteran, it’s never too early to get your Continuing Education done. Either way, Larson Educational Services has you covered with timely and market-ready information taught in professional classrooms by instructors who care about your success.

Learn more about the courses we have to offer in Fort Myers, Naples or Online at the following link – http://www.larsoned.com/realestate/ – or simply call a friendly Larson representative at (239) 344-7510.

Larson Educational Services looks forward to earning the right to be your real estate school of choice!

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd.

Suite #144

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com
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Top 10 Prospecting Tips for Real Estate Agents: Part 1

Presented by Larson Educational Services.

For a quick introduction to prospecting, read our most recent post here or watch this quick video:

Now that you know what prospecting is and why it’s important, we can get into the details of how exactly to prospect for clients. Most of these tips require no special talent, only a bit of effort and organization.

10. Add a note about prospects in your cell phone

This is a simple, easy-to-access way to store pertinent personal information about prospects. Some examples of notes you add to a client’s contact information might include: “Planned retirement in 2 years” or “Children are going to college” or “Just got promoted at work.” The key here is to let your prospects know that you remember them and you are ready to help them move homes after a big change. It all comes down to caring about people and what’s going on in their lives. Remember why you got into this field.

Naples Real Estate School Larson Educational Services

Naples Real Estate School Larson Educational Services

9. Have business cards on you at all times

Make sure the cards you carry are current and have up-to-date information. With a business card on you at all times, you can always be ready to wrangle in a prospect. You don’t want to be the person who is writing her contact information on napkins and scrap paper when you meet a potential client. Carry the card, make a friend, give them the card, sell their home.

8. Conduct a first-time home buyer seminar

These can take place in your local church, a recreation center, or any other local venue that will allow you to use their space. Churches, in fact, will often have child care available if you require it. The seminar can be simple: serve juice and cookies in the church and tell some prospective buyers about home ownership. If this isn’t your style, then there is no need to do it, but if you are willing to get out of your comfort zone, you can create an intimate relationship with prospects who will be likely to endorse you to others in the community.

7. Pay attention to the language people use

Analyze the language in FSBO ads and adapt your marketing presentation to fit the style of each prospect. You can garner tips from other agents if you have built relationships with them as well.

6. Smile when you pick up the phone

Experts say the simple act of smiling subtly alters your voice and manner and makes you more approachable. Standing while talking will also strengthen your voice. You could even record one of your calls to see how professional you sound and use that information to improve your conversations with prospective clients.


 

These quick tips will have you on the road to building good relationships with prospective clients, which puts you directly on course to sell more homes.

Coming soon: Top Ten Prospecting Tips for Real Estate Agents Part 2

 

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. #44,

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

http://www.LarsonEd.com/realestate/licensing/naples-real-estate-school/

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Naples Real Estate School LarsonEd Presents: Prospecting

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Naples real estate school Larson Educational Services gives you an introduction to real estate prospecting.

Learn more about prospecting and other tips for Florida real estate agents with LarsonEd’s post-licensing courses. Register here:http://www.larsoned.com/realestate/po…

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Larson Educational Services
Royal Palm Square
1400 Colonial Blvd, Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-344-7510
http://www.larsoned.com/
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