If you want to take your real estate game to the top, you need to be doing everything a top real estate agent is doing in 2020. In today's competitive market, you will need to stand apart from other agents in the best possible way, and we will teach you how.
Are you ready to step up your game to the next level of performance? We have got the ultimate checklist for you! Keep reading to find out what every top real estate agent does in 2020!
1. Embraces Professionalism
To be a successful and top real estate agent, you need to have strong business intellect. Top agents have the best communication skills, value exceptional service, and respect their clients.
If you want to be the best real estate agent you can possibly be, make sure you are always on time and never keep your clients waiting.
2. Keeps up With New Marketing Trends
The world is going digital, so that means the top real estate agents need to go digital as well. In 2020, we were seeing many different high-tech ways to market homes such as aerial drone videos.
Aerial drone videos showcase a family-friendly neighborhood, oceanside or mountain vista views, or even a safe, gated community. They also allow home buyers to see homes from all exterior perspectives. While every other realtor uses face-fronting photos of a property, you can capture sweeping shots and take a picture from any angle!
3. Develops a Consistent Brand
Developing a consistent brand starts by identifying your target customer. Next, develop your brand based on how it resonates with your desired audience, and through each touchpoint, live and breathe your brand.
A top real estate agent knows who their customer is and knows exactly how to attract them. They do in-depth research on their target audience and build from there, whether it is their brand or their marketing strategies.
4. Practices Authenticity
The best real estate agents do not start or base their relationships solely with a sale or financial gain in mind. Doing this will take you nowhere. Instead, strive to make authentic connections, figure out what people value, and understand what drives and motivates them.
Clients can see through right through you and tell if your reasoning is for financial gain alone. Some clients may be used to people trying to take advantage of their abundance, so being authentic is essential if you want to be a successful realtor.
5. Builds a Network of Connections
One thing top real estate agents all have in common is having an extensive network of contacts or connections within their respective markets. Your network of connections should include other potential sellers and buyers as well as other real estate agents and brokers.
Your network should also include all the other players in the real estate industry, such as home inspectors, interior designers, builders, and mortgage loan officers.
6. Uses Real Estate Scripts
Real estate scripts are essential. Successful realtors understand that they will eventually start saying the right things that they know will work, whether they use someone else's scripts or their own.
Even if you use a real estate script created by others, you know it is tried and tested, meaning you do not have to go through the trial and error process on your own dollar. Using real estate scripts also enables realtors to start seeing desired results faster.
To achieve perfect delivery, be sure to have appropriate pauses, an expectation of success, the right attitude, and enough repetition to master each script. Invest several hours of your time practicing your scripts to perfection.
It is best to practice your scripts with a role-playing partner so they can provide valuable feedback and suggest ways you can improve.
7. Relates to Their Clients
After you take the time to research your target audience and potential clients (understanding what influences them and researching their background), you can start trying to make a more human connection. To make this human connection with your desired market and potential customers, it is essential you first know what drives them.
What is their reasoning for buying or selling? If you deal with destination properties, your potential clients may be looking for vacation homes they can spend time in with their family every summer or holiday.
When building a personal and human connection with your clients, it is essential you make sure you are available for them. Top real estate agents know that when you keep yourself available and ready to assist, you establish trust with your client and build rapport while working together.
8. Dresses for Success
Most clients tend to hire agents based on gut feeling and appearance. So yes, appearance is crucial. When working with high net worth individuals, it is vital you dress for success and look the part. To clients, a sloppy you reflects a sloppy worth ethic.
You do not have to go all out with the latest fashion trends, and in fact, it is better you blend in with your client's tastes. Blending in allows your clients to relate to you and trust you.
If you are a young agent and you often hear the "too young" comment, try taking a closer look at your wardrobe and how you groom yourself. Dress with the same style any top real estate agent would, refined and simple. Ditch long, loose, and flowy locks for a neat and classy updo.
When you edit your wardrobe and the way you style yourself, clients may then stop asking how much experience you have and instead ask you genuine real estate questions.
9. Lives in the Details
A top real estate agent understands that even the smallest changes can increase the sellability of a home. When you are dealing with homes priced at higher price points with a minimal pool of buyers, the devil is in the details.
The best realtors go over just about everything and assess what is working and what is not. They are able to step into a potential buyer's shoes and see the property through the buyer's eyes.
To be a successful realtor, you need to be able to notice everything about the homes you sell before a potential buyer does. This includes the good and especially the bad.
10. Is Tenacious and Passionate About What They Do
Clients, especially high net worth clients, need to know that their real estate agent is committed to giving them the best service possible. Top real estate agents advocate for the issues their clients care about. Once you do the same, your reputation will flourish.
The best and the most successful real estate agents genuinely enjoy what they do for a living and have a passion for serving people.
You must be tenacious enough to hustle and market your clients' properties and pursue every lead if you want to be a successful realtor. Putting in the right amount of time, working smart, and doing whatever is necessary to close the deal will separate you from your competitors.
Show clients the best properties within their budget show a respect for diversity. Showing respect for diversity allows people from all neighborhoods and cultures to feel accommodated, understood, and happy.
11. Stays Honest
If you want to be a successful realtor, you need to be highly skilled in honesty. It is essential to always practice honesty with your clients especially when it comes to pricing and timing. Your professional reputation is vital to a long and successful real estate career.
High net worth clients do not like surprises, so you must be upfront and transparent about any and all potential issues.
A great way to show you practice high ethical standards is by becoming a member of the National Association of Realtors. If you want to become a member, you will need to pledge to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
12. Builds a Referral Business
A top real estate agent should always be building their referral base of people. If you want to be one of the top sellers in the game, make sure you diversify how these people are contacted. This ensures you always have a system for staying in contact with them.
One of the first things you should do is gather everyone you know and put them in one place, like Google Contacts, where you can easily access their info to contact them regularly.
13. Has an Engaging Personality
The best real estate agents do not just sell properties; they also sell themselves. This is why it is vital you show your real personality.
Clients will respond to you if you have a great attitude, are honest and personable, have confidence in your abilities, have an engaging personality, and are interested in helping them and others. No one will want to deal with you if you are negative and act as you would rather be somewhere else.
How to Be a Top Real Estate Agent: Our Ultimate Checklist
In today's competitive market, you will need to stand apart from other agents in the best possible way. If you want to take your real estate game to the top, you need to be doing everything a top real estate agent is doing in 2020.
Whether it is keeping up with the latest marketing trends, dressing for success, or building your referral business, we hope you learned something new from our ultimate checklist!
If you are looking to sell more homes faster and at a higher price, check out our agent resources. We will help you separate yourself from your competitors with the help of Hommati's innovative technology, tools, and methods!