Dixon Properties LTD

3 TIPS TO FOLLOWING UP YOUR REAL ESTATE LEADS

In the real estate industry, the more you are able to convert your real estate leads into clients, the more your fortune increases. Keep this in mind, if real estate follow-up was a race, it is a marathon and not a sprint. This implies that cutting off contact after a short while means you dissolving a relationship that can yield more in due time.
Most real estate agents that all they need to get and keep clients is a good lead generation strategy. However, as we know, there are lots of realtors in the business and you need to prove yourself as valuable before you can hold down a client. As an agent, you should learn to exert the same effort you do on generating leads into following up your real estate leads.
First, every real estate agent knows a primary rule in the real estate bible which says “initial response time is key”. This means that after generating a lead, you are expected to call your real estate lead within the net 15-20minutes. However, this is typically a basic tip in following up your lead.
The truth remains that real estate lead follow up isn’t a quick-sales scheme. It is a process that and the time taken isn’t fixed. More than 60% of leads you contact once may not buy from you for about 3 months. This means there are chances this 60% will eventually buy. This is why real estate lead follow-up is essential.
That being said, the place of keeping proper track of your real estate leads cannot be overemphasized. As a realtor, you are at a major disadvantage if you do not follow up your leads properly. Here are some tips to follow up your real estate leads.

1. Set up a trackable database
Just before you get discouraged, this isn’t exactly the easiest route to turn your leads into full-blown clients. However, it is a basic but important part of the process. In setting up your database, separate your real estate leads into sections and categories. For instance, you should have headings like who wants to buy, buying within 3 months, clients that want to sell etc. This will help you know where the chunk of your clients are and who falls where.
Setting up a trackable datat helps you clean up your contact. In the sense that if you are able to turn this database into a workable list then you are on your way to making some good money. You should also include the times you are to contact these clients.

2. Turn your clients to your friends
This simply means personalize your communication. Try as much as you can to turn your clients into your friends. This way, you earn their trust over time. Your messages and emails should be more friendly and relaxing rather than formal and uptight. Personalizing your messages, emails and conversations generally go beyond just adding the leads first name.
Look at their behaviour. What properties were they looking at? If it’s an older, cold lead, ask them if they’ve made progress on their home search.
`Segment your leads in your database (with detailed tags and categories) so you can send bulk emails/texts while still pinpointing their needs.
Help them decide what to do next. Ex: You’ve taken X action. Are you ready to go ahead and move forward with Y and X?
Be aware of time and location. If you’re sending something close to a holiday (maybe the Superbowl) or a current event, throw in a reference or friendly holiday greeting to give the message a more organic feel.
Double check for “robot language.” Of course, you want to sound professional, but do you sound human? Friendly? Imagine reading the email or text yourself and consider how you would respond.

3. Measure your performance
Organized database? Check. Tailored outreach? Check. Now let’s get to measuring response rates and marketing efforts so you can get a clear picture of what’s working in your follow up strategy and what could use some improvement. You should track everything from phone calls to email campaigns to texts. Everything.
There you go. These are the most important tips you need to follow up your real estate leads. Kindly share your views with other readers.

5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT SHORT-LETS

A short-let is a property which can be let from a few weeks to a few months. Any kind of property can be on a short-let, from studio apartments to bungalows to ten-bedroom duplexes. Short-lets are usually offered with bills included in the rent. Short-lets are not popular in Nigeria because just a few people know about it, and just a few house owners are willing to be part of it. This may, however, be because they are not well informed about the advantages. Below are a few secrets of why short-lets thrive around the world.
1. Short-term rentals are a winner for owners and tenants
Come to think of it, what benefit do you have from an empty flat without occupants or a serviced apartment you want to sell, still empty – absolutely nothing. So make money from it. You are entitled to cool cash from your apartment by adding almost nothing to it. I am sure you would appreciate the extra income.
Tenants would rather rent a house than spend their hard earned money on a charmless hotel room, where the only means of catering is a kettle and a tea bag. Short-lets cost less compared to hotels.
2. Complete Peace of Mind for the Homeowners and Tenants
The whole thing as hassle-free as possible for the homeowners, and it gives them complete peace of mind. A team of cleaners prepares the property for the tenants’ arrival (fresh linen and towels, wardrobe and fridge space). This continues if it is a serviced apartment. If it is not, the apartment is cleaned again when the tenants leave. And in the meantime, you’re getting someone to keep an eye on your house when you’re not there.
Rental prices are dependent on size, condition, and location of the property. It’s a simple question of how much the owners expect to get and how much the tenants would be prepared to pay and striking a balance between the two, says Guy. A three-bedroom Duplex in Lekki may cost 80,000 per day, while a three-bedroom maisonette in Apapa may cost 80,000 per week.
3. Your Property is rented out almost Exactly as it is
Both homeowners and tenants need to be relatively free-spirited. Your property is rented out almost exactly as it is. You can be imaginative about how many people it sleeps by including sofa beds. Tenants don’t expect it to be perfect – they’re paying much less than they would stay in a hotel, where you have to eat out for at least two meals a day.
4. It is needed for flexible business travel
Travel has changed. People are travelling more, and not just for leisure, employees have become used to flexible business travel with International companies looking to share skills and experience across the globe. When travelling for leisure people are looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the country, wanting to discover the best places no one knows about and when travelling for business, people want space and home-from-home facilities. So everybody wants the home feel, whether on a business travel or for leisure. Let them have it, while you make more money.
5. It is a Cheaper alternative to hotel Accommodation
The simple concept of local hosts renting out their spare rooms to friendly travellers appeals to many and often offers a cheaper alternative to hotel accommodation. The same way a studio apartment or a room mini flat may be a good idea for somebody travelling to Lagos, from Abuja.
The good news is that some serviced apartments offer short let services, so you can enjoy the service of a hotel, in a residential environment and pay far less than a hotel. For me, it is the best alternative to a hotel.
Companies offering short-term lets have worked to make the process as simple as possible, taking care of the whole booking and payment process with just a few clicks. You then also have your very own local host to tap for knowledge on the area so you can find all the best places that aren’t generally in the tour guides on the website. It’s a truly personal way to see a city.
Of course, high-end serviced apartments which also benefit from the attentive service you would expect from a top hotel are available for short lets. Each one-bedroom apartment oozes contemporary design with luxury finishes including cinema-style projector screen, wall mounted speakers, fluffy bathrobes etc. you may never want to go home.