Thread: Looking for help!

Originally Posted by krolfe

My question is this: What are the top 5 ways to generate leads in real estate? I personally feel that Internet/Website has to be #1, but then what? Thanks for your help.

In our experience, we partner with real estate agents in the areas we are interested. Because we specialize only in fractional ownership, we don't compete with these agents who sell sole ownership. If they refer us clients who buy our properties, we pay them a commission for the referral. It has been successful in some markets. These agents advertise or market through different venures - yes, internet is the most important channel.

Referrals are obviously great from Friends, Family, Past Clients, & other vendors in our industry. Referrals are my number one lead source. I would say the internet is a close second and gaining ground. Networking groups, FSBO's, & Prospecting.

I have it to be internet by far #1, referalls, SOI, and signs. The internet is my #1 source of leads and will likely continue to be so.

if you have a lot of listings you will get leads from that, sign calls. you guys are all saying that the internet generates the most leads for you. In what way? Do you just have people come to your site to search for homes or what?

Thank you everyone for your insights. Keep them coming, these are great!

Other than the internet and sphere of influence, open houses, floor time if a busy office, farming. The information my company shares about source of business shows that an overwhelming majority of the office business is coming through referrals.

That's great. When possible, referrals is definitely the way to go because trust is usually already established. Good for you guys.

I hate to say this but if you are new to the business, then go door knocking. Although it doesnt work for me (people seem afraid to answer the door when they see me out there) it does work for many others.

good luck

From the point of view of a web designer and marketing specialist, the Web would be the best source. Traditional sources such as print and physical networking aren't enough anymore. Recent statistics show that the majority of consumers are using the web to conduct research before a purchase is made. With that said, a strong web presence is a must!

I feel that local networking comes in a close second. I also run a business organization here in Durham, called Durham Business & Networking. With this organization, we strive to provide free business education to professionals and business owners in the community, but one of the most important services we provide is our Open-Seat Leads meetings, where we focus on helping our members network, determine exactly what kinds of leads they're looking for so that other group members can make the best referrals possible, and provide additional advice on how to network the right way. Personally, I take business cards with me everywhere. I don't bother everyone I meet with what I do or what our company offers, but I do present solutions when situations arise (through conversation for instance), and I do ensure that I market Durham Business & Networking to every professional or business owner I meet, because I hope from them all to be able to provide referrals or perhaps become clients themselves in the future.

Other than these, I'd say that being active in the community really gives your career and reputation a boost. The Realtors that do very well in this area are community activists, either working with Preservation Durham to save endangered historic properties, becoming real estate investors themselves to help rebuild communities, serving on several city committees and boards etc. This still goes hand in hand with physical networking, but building your reputation without the intent of getting sales will eventually help to boost your referrals and client base.

The best advice I can give is to be as active as possible, and to make sure you have a good, solid web presence. If someone mentions your name or performs a search, have they heard of you or will they find you? Have you put forth the effort to separate yourself (and your web presence) from other Realtors? Is your website unique (not a replicated company site or basic template that hundreds of other Realtors in your area are using), search engine-friendly and does it offer valuable content in addition to just your listings and services? This is the most basic best practice. If you can't answer yes to all of these, then you have work to do. Hope that helps!

-Real Estate 360[SIZE=-1]