4 Leadership Styles to Fit Any Situation

You may think that leadership is fixed and finite–a boss tells people below them what to do, and those people do it. However, as your personal skills change so too will your leadership needs. Likewise, as your team grows and improves, your leadership skills will become more valuable.

A one-size-fits-all approach to leadership may be hurting your real estate business. Here are 4 leadership styles you need to know as a real estate professional and when to use them.

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Directive

Use this leadership style when people are highly committed but not necessarily competent with the given task.

When the task is difficult, and the people performing it are inexperienced or have low commitment, then it’s necessary to give instructions as to how the job should be done. This style of leadership puts a strong emphasis on the task, as well as a low emphasis on the people performing it.

Coaching

When people have some competence relative to the task, but are low on commitment.

When the task is difficult, but the people have some skill they need direction and supervision because of their relative inexperience. They also need support and recognition to build their confidence and involvement in decision-making to restore their commitment (which may have declined because of frustration on the team).

Supporting

Use this leadership style when people are highly committed but have varied competence.

When you have a situation that requires a supporting leadership style the individual’s skill-set has improved, but they still require support to sustain motivation to bolster their confidence. As a leader, you can start to take a backseat, giving acknowledgement and praise when necessary.

Delegating

Use this leadership style when people are both competent and committed.

People who are competent and committed will be able and willing to work on a given project by themselves with little supervision or support. Occasional monitoring allows you, as a leader, to stay informed and ensure that team members have the necessary resources. But, for the most part, this team will be better when left alone.

The better you understand your team, the more likely you’ll be able to use the most effective form of leadership. Utilize these 4 types of leadership to better lead your team in the future.

To sign up for classes, including brokers post-licensing courses, give us a call at 239-344-7510 or visit our website, www.LarsonEd.com.

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

 

13040 Livingston Rd. #12

Naples, Florida 34105

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

10 Simple Listening Techniques to Improve Your Negotiation Skills–Part 1

10 Simple Listening Techniques to Improve Your Negotiation Skills–Part 1

Florida Real Estate School

We get it, you became a real estate agent because you love to talk. But here’s a nugget of harsh truth: sometimes you have to listen as well. In fact, your entire career depends on your listening skills. Otherwise, how will you understand your clients’ needs and make all those sales? (Hey, at the very least try to pretend to listen.) Here are the first 5 of Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services’ 10 simple listening techniques for effective communication:

  1. Prepare questions and remarks in advance to free your mind to listen.

Have you ever talked to someone who you know is just waiting for you to stop talking so they can say something? Don’t be one of those people. Channel your inner lawyer and prepare some conversation points before speaking with your client.

  1. Exercise emotional control.

No, you’re not a robot. But you can keep negotiations civil and favorable to your interests if you keep your emotions in check.

Florida real estate school

You can exercise emotional control without becoming a robot.

  1. Remain open and avoid jumping to conclusions; limit your own talking.

Limit your assumptions when you head into negotiations. When you let the other party do the talking they’ll usually give plenty of talking points, just make sure that you…

  1. Take selective notes on the most important points.

No, taking notes during a conversation doesn’t necessarily make you look like a psychopath, just make sure your conversation partner knows what you’re doing.

  1. Give the speaker your conscious attention with good eye contact.

Giving someone your undivided attention lets them know that they are important to you. And regarding the eye contact thing: again, don’t take it to psychopathic levels, just let your partner know that you care about what they’re saying.

Florida real estate school

Okay, you’re overdoing it.

Utilize these simple listening techniques to not only improve your negotiation skills, but also to provide better service to your clients. Check back next time for part 2.

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

What Buyers Look for in Agents–Florida Real Estate School

What Buyers Look for in Agents–Florida Real Estate School

Buyers, especially first time buyers, will be looking for a number of specific qualities in an agent that will guide them through the process of buying a home. Consider the needs of the buyer when showing them homes.

What do buyers look for in an agent when selecting and showing properties?

  1. Buyers want you to perceive their physicalandemotional needs…listen
  1. A good Realtor helps in narrowing down the field of what I’m looking for, not just the agent’s own listings
  1. Use technology to do the research on the houses first so we don’t have to waste time looking at places we have no chance of buying
 bad agent florida reale state school

As an agent, you need to know which homes will emotionally destroy your clients.

  1. Save time by knowing and previewing the properties in ‘my’ criteria
  1. Buyers want to get property information readily. Give me information. I want to see MLS descriptions and comparables and neighborhood information.

  2. Have knowledge of the market: price and terms

  3. Have knowledge of the area: schools, stores, traffic, taxes

  4. Don’t rush the buyer so much he buys the wrong house

  5. Buyers want you to point out features, including negatives
 rock house florida real estate school

“The location is great on this one, but I’ll be honest: it’s just a rock with a hole for a door.”

  1. Buyers don’t want you to always agree with them. Suggest options and give advice.

If you embody these traits for buyers, you will be well on your way to meeting their needs and selling more homes in the process. Win-win!

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

 

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

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Buyer Service Agreement Template–Florida Real Estate School

Buyer Service Agreement Template–Florida Real Estate School

You could surprise a prospective buyer by offering a non-exclusive Buyer Service Agreement.


Here are some examples of promises you could make that would build loyalty: 

I have access to Real Estate Listing Aggregators to keep me abreast of any new listings – not only from any MLS company – but also by owner, by builder, and by developer. I watch daily for the following:

  1. Houses that sold quickly but are back on the market because the buyer did not obtain financing
  2. PRICE REDUCTIONS (sometimes as high as $100,000)
  3. New Listings! The best homes at the right price sell within 30 days

I can forward details of the property in a matter of seconds. In addition to the standard MLS sites, I subscribe to (list examples Trulia, Zillow, etc.)

New construction: We have great builders if you wish to build a new home

 fantasy cloud house florida real estate school

Even if your buyer wants an impossible cloud-home, you get it done.

Bargain hunters: I am in a position to access bank-owned properties and short sales. I can show you these, write and present your offer for you.

For Sale By Owner: I can act as your transaction broker.

I will spend 1-2 hours with you, up front, just learning about your real estate needs. We will determine:

  • What style of homes you like
  • What you would like in extras
  • 12 major areas to watch when purchasing, to avoid a wrong decision
  • What price range you are comfortable with
  • Determine what a lender will qualify you for
  • What down payment is comfortable for you
  • What monthly payment would fit your budget
  • What areas you will consider
  • Answers to any questions about which types of finance are best for you
  • The process of getting a mortgage

If you have a house to sell before purchasing, I will do a FREE analysis showing you what you have in equity

 hose for sale florida real estate school

“Okay, guys, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. All we did was put up a sign.”

I give weekly reports to my buyers and sellers until the sale closes

I am a full-time agent with professional support services

I care about earning and KEEPING you as a client 

I enjoy marketing homes and helping buyers find a home they can be happy in.  Should I have the opportunity to work with you I will do my best to serve all your real estate needs.

Let your prospective buyers know this information and you will be more suited to meet their needs in no time.

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

Follow me on Google+

Meeting and Qualifying the Buyer Pt. 2–Florida Real Estate School

Meeting and Qualifying the Buyer Part 2

Florida Real Estate School

Last time, we discussed the first 9 questions you can use to help determine a buyer’s motivation. Every sales associate has war stories about indecisive, demanding, disloyal, or financially irresponsible buyers. These questions can help you determine a buyer’s motivation upfront. This week we will be going over the final 9 questions.

  1. How much cash do you want to use for the purchase?
  1. Do you have special requirements in a property? If yes, please list.
  1. If you have school-age children, are you willing to move during the school year?
  1. Who is your employer?
  1. Will anyone else help you make the buying decision? If yes, who?
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“All signs point to yes you should definitely refrain from buying that house.”

  1. If we find the right property, are you prepared to make a decision now?
  1. What times are best to contact you?
  1. What times are best to view properties?
  1. How do you like to communicate?(Phone oremail) 
 pager florida real estate school

Or pager, if that’s where we have to go in this relationship.

Ask these qualifying questions of your buyer and you will be more suited to meet their needs in no time.

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

Follow me on Google+

Meeting and Qualifying the Buyer Pt. 1–Florida Real Estate School

Meeting and Qualifying the Buyer Part 1

Florida Real Estate School

Every sales associate has war stories about indecisive, demanding, disloyal, or financially irresponsible buyers. These questions can help you determine a buyer’s motivation upfront.

home buyers florida real estate school

It’s important find out whether buyers have completely unrealistic expectations.

  1. How long have you been looking?
  2. Are you working with anothersales associateor broker? If yes, whom? 
 business fight florida real estate school

If the buyer is working with another agent, then you must destroy that agent.

  1. Do you rent or own your current home?
  2. What is your monthly rent or mortgage payment?
  3. Must you sell a home before buying? If yes, what is the status?
  4. Must you complete a lease period before buying? If yes, how long is the lease?
 needs work florida real estate school

“We’re really going to miss our old place.”

  1. Do you have a budget for monthly payments? If yes, how much?
  2. What’s your price range?
  3. Has a lender prequalified you for a loan? If yes, for how much?

Ask these qualifying questions of your buyer and you will be more suited to meet their needs in no time. Check back soon for Part 2!

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

Follow me on Google+

Keys to Effective Advertising for Buyers–Florida Real Estate School

Florida Real Estate School

Keys to Effective Advertising for Buyers

Institutional Advertising – Marketing – Image Advertising

Your goal with advertising to buyers is to create a favorable image and differentiation. But be careful because most consumers choose an agent based on a personal referral rather than a bus bench or billboard. Especially if that billboard looks like this:

 lamb ad florida real estate school
Photo credits: torontocondos.com

Specific Advertising

With specific advertising, you are trying to stimulate activity on a specific property. Therefore, once a property is listed, it’s time to get to work finding a buyer.

The A.I.D.A. Approach to Advertising 

The A.I.D.A. approach to advertising dates back many years, and is a useful guide for anyone who needs to write a sales ad, especially agents with little or no ad-writing experience.

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Attention: Write a headline that describes the number one feature of the property to sell them on reading the ad

    • Headlines
    • Word combinations
    • Typefaces and layouts
    • Color

Interest: Once you get their attention you need to cultivate interest

    • Connect the opening line to the headline; get to the point of the headline immediately
    • Use short sentences, and punchy words
    • Don’t lead with numbers; the decision comes from the heart
    • Don’t talk about special offers or discounts at this point

Desire: Create excitement by appealing to the senses

    • List a benefit for every feature
    • Use clear and concise language
    • Build mental images
    • Establish the credibility of your claims

Action: Convince them to make a purchase

    • Be convincing without being pushy
    • Call to action — Be clear about the step to take
    • The TV pros offer a special price and place a time-limit on it to get them to act NOW!

Follow these rules for effective advertising and you will be selling more homes in no time.

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

Follow me on Google+

Real Estate Photography Tips Pt. 2–Florida Real Estate School

Real Estate Photography Tips Pt. 2–Florida Real Estate School

Check out part 1 of our Real Estate Photography Tips here: Part 1

8 Key Strategies for Effective Photography Part 2

5. When possible use a wide angle lens.

This type of lens will allow you to bring more of the room into the picture and produce an interesting shot. For exterior shots a wide lens allows you to get closer to the facade without cutting the ends of the house out of the picture. Never take a shot that does not include the entire facade of the house.

 wide angle lens florida real estate school
This is a wide angle lens shot that captures the entire room.

6. When possible use a tripod.

Using a tripod forces the photographer to think more about composition and allows the use of slower shutter speeds for shots with existing light. Using a tripod allows the camera to be placed at better angles, such as in a tight corner, or up high shooting down both produce more aesthetic, interesting photos.

 no tripod florida real estate school
Yeah, this guy wishes he were using a tripod.
  1. Zoom in on the details.

Include close up shots of fine woodwork, high end fixtures, or beautiful surfaces such as granite, tile or marble. These shots complete the image of quality you are trying to portray of your listing.

 granite countertops florida real estate school
This close-up shows off the stellar granite countertops.

8. Consider photo editing software to touch up your photographs before posting. 

There are many free, and affordable software packages that will allow you to adjust exposure, crop your image, or adjust color saturation and hue for a more pleasing picture.

 photo editing florida real estate school
Color saturation is amped up in this photo to make the landscaping pop.

Follow these rules for effective real estate photography and you too can make homes sparkle!

About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

Brad Larson

Larson Educational Services

1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44

Fort Myers, FL 33907

info@LarsonEd.com

239-344-7510

www.LarsonEd.com

Follow me on Google+

Real Estate Photography Tips Pt. 1–Florida Real Estate School

Real Estate Photography Tips Pt. 1–Florida Real Estate School

How many times have you seen a listing with photos that looked like this?
How long has this one been listed for?
So, ummm, what exactly am I looking at here?
 
Those are pretty bad. But you also don’t want to spend an arm and a leg getting them done professionally. We understand. That’s why we have compiled…

 

8 Key Strategies for Effective Photography (Part 1)

 

1. Use the “Golden Hours”
Use the hour just after sunrise and the hour just before sunset to capture exterior
images in their best light. The sun at lower angles has a warmer more pleasing
light and casts shadows that add depth and dimension to your photograph. 
 
The early morning shadows make the home look warm and inviting.
 2. Pay attention to the orientation of the front facade of the house.
Any house with an easterly facing facade will have the best light and be best
photographed in the morning with the rising sun (like the one above). Houses with a westerly facing facade are best shot in late afternoon. The most challenging shots are due north and south facades.  For these shots, wait for a cloudy day or shoot in early evening and take advantage of the home’s exterior lighting to create an interesting mood.   
 

The impending storm in the background turns this home into a beacon of safety.

 

 3. Avoid flash for interior shots when possible.
The camera flash produces an intense white light that causes bright reflection and
harsh shadows. Instead, try setting up your camera on a tripod and using existing lights and a longer shutter speed. Another technique when flash is required is to bounce the flash off the ceiling (provided you are using an adjustable flash head). This diffused, reflected light fills the room in a more pleasing way.  
 

Credit: http://massrealestatenews.com/

 

4. Remove all clutter from the picture.
Remove all the kids’ drawings from the fridge. Take all appliances from kitchen
counter tops, and remove most, if not all, of the homeowners “personal” decorations such as trophies, figurines, etc. Consider removing furniture such as occasional chairs or end tables from the shot to simplify the scene. Ash trays,
 TV remotes, dog toys, and nick-nacks have no place in professional real estate photos.   

Yes, even pigs count as clutter–get them out of the photos!

 

Follow these rules for effective real estate photography and you can make homes sparkle!
Check back soon for part 2!
About Larson Educational Services:

Utilizing 30 years of real estate training and professional education experience, Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services is the premier provider of Florida real estate licensing, exam preparation, post-licensing, CAM licensing, mortgage loan originator licensing, and continuing education in Southwest Florida. Classes are available in Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and online.

 

Brad Larson
Larson Educational Services
1400 Colonial Blvd. Suite 44
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-344-7510

Follow me on Google+