Real estate leads are the lifeblood of any real estate business. Unfortunately, finding them can be a challenge. This is especially true for new agents.
Thankfully, there are several effective ways to generate real estate leads.
Networking
Finding real estate leads is one of the most important aspects of a successful career in real estate. It’s a business of relationships, and networking is a way to grow those relationships naturally. Rather than calling everyone you know or bugging friends and family, prioritizing building relationships with those in your sphere of influence (SOI) who may be interested in buying or selling a home is a better approach.
Using social media and a CRM to track and manage contacts can help keep your leads organized and make following up easy. These services also offer automated marketing emails to nurture your new contacts so they become clients.
Another way on how to get real estate leads is by hosting buyers’ seminars. This is a great way to meet potential buyers face-to-face, answer their questions, and demonstrate your expertise. Moreover, you can use paid advertising on Facebook to target potential buyers in specific areas and demographics.
In addition, networking with complementary businesses such as mortgage brokers or home inspectors can expedite the process for home buyers and sellers. Choosing a partner with whom you can establish trust and a long-term connection is critical.
Open Houses
A real estate agent often holds open houses for properties that they are listing. This allows the public to tour the home and ask questions in a relaxed setting. The agent is usually present during the event and records potential leads’ contact information. This is a traditional part of real estate marketing, and you can successfully find qualified buyers.
While an open house is not guaranteed to sell a property, it is a great way to reach potential clients and build trust. It is also a valuable tool to help potential buyers determine what they want in a home. This is because buyers can compare homes directly and determine which may be a good fit for them.
Another way that real estate agents generate leads is by staying in touch with their past buyers. This is a very effective strategy because buyers are likelier to work with an agent they have previously worked with. Also, past buyers can refer their friends and family to the agent. It is estimated that it takes nine previous buyers to get one new buyer. However, this method is less effective for generating new business than before digital marketing became commonplace.
Online Listing Sites
It’s no secret that real estate agents are always looking for new leads. Whether you want to cast a broad net to maximize the number of prospects or be more tactical and only focus on highly motivated sellers, finding leads is critical to growing your business and increasing profits.
One of the oldest and best ways to generate real estate leads is through referrals. This is a natural way to gain the trust of potential clients as it taps into their innate human needs for familiarity and respect.
Another way to generate real estate leads is through online listing sites. You can quickly find homeowners interested in selling their property using websites. From there, you can compile a list of contacts and contact them to help them sell their home.
A lesser-known but effective way to generate real estate leads is after expired listings. This is a strategy that many real estate agents don’t use, but it can be highly beneficial if done correctly. Expired listings are usually FSBO or FRBO listings that failed to sell and can be a great source of quality leads for real estate agents.
Other lead-generation tactics that real estate agents can use include social media, PPC, email, and portals.
Social Media
Real estate agents can use social media to generate leads, mainly if their targeted market uses the platform. This includes platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which have a large audience of potential homebuyers, including millennials. Posting helpful content, such as a blog on saving for a down payment or tips on finding a suitable lender, can position you as an expert and help you build relationships with potential customers.
Another way to use social media is through paid ads, which can be highly targeted to specific types of people, such as new homeowners or investors. Social media allows real estate professionals to create customized ads based on a prospect’s location, demographics, interests, and other information. The cost of these ads can be higher than those from other sources, but they may provide a steady stream of qualified leads for your business.
Another way to generate leads on social media is through local area groups or neighborhoods. This could include social media groups focused on your city’s real estate or neighborhood sites. If you join these groups, only promote your services if explicitly allowed. Instead, you can establish yourself as a resource in these groups by answering questions or providing valuable advice without being pushy or spammy.