Videos for Learning

The new mortgage disclosure rules are now in effect. Watch this video as Margy Grant, Florida Realtors vice president and general counsel, reviews the changes and their direct impact on your role in the transaction.

A social media marketing campaign increases your company’s value proposition to consumers and agents. For instance, use LinkedIn to connect with past clients as well as agents and brokers from other companies. For your current sales staff, create a marketing package that solidifies your brand and gives agents free content to share in their social circles. Watch the video for more tips.

Staying safe means being prepared before, during and after meeting with customers. Before a showing, get the customer’s driver ID and send that information, along with the property address, to your office or a buddy. During the showing, if something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and use any excuse to get away. Also, don’t give out personal information. Instead, use your cell phone and business address. Watch the video for more tips.

Appraisers’ roles have evolved, particularly since Dodd-Frank. Agents also must be advocates for the transaction so that a credible appraisal can be performed. Agents can help by preparing an appraisal package. Include MLS and tax roll information, photos and unique aspects about the property. Work together to anticipate and prevent problems during the process. 

Your business remains vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits unless Congress takes action. “Patent trolls” put you in the crosshairs for possible litigation for allegedly infringing on a patent. NAR has already spent more than $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the use of mapping functions used by local MLSs. Click on this Call to Action link and tell your lawmakers to stop patent trolls. Please seize this opportunity, and do it now!

In-person conversations and meetings are your goals when attending international trade missions. One way to set up connections is to register early. See who’s on the attendees’ and Expo list. Send out emails and make plans to connect with these contacts at the event. Plan strategically and you’ll build a pipeline to the international real estate market. Watch the video for more tips.

Being a problem solver is all about paying attention to the personalities involved in the transaction and helping them find a solution that feels good. Take your emotions out of it, listen closely and find the common ground the parties need to resolve their issue. Most people are more likely to accept a solution if they are informed and involved in the process rather than being told what to do. Watch the video for more tips.

Increasing lead conversion from the national average of 1 percent to 5 percent or higher is definitely possible. It starts with building and managing a system that includes choosing a team to contact leads, picking the right automated database software for drip marketing, and following through by phone. Conversion is the key. The secret to success is to have willing agents make those phone calls, or have a department that makes the calls for agents. Watch the video for more tips.

The key to successfully marketing commercial properties is to spend wisely and target carefully. First, calculate the commission potential on a property. This will determine your marketing budget. For example, with retail, you’re looking for tenants; and CoStar’s tenant list is a good lead generator. Another tactic is to contact the national headquarters of the business you think would fit the space. Finally, don’t underestimate the value of networking in the community. Watch the video for more tips.