Alright! You finally obtained your BOVAEA certification and have officially joined the ranks of licensed real estate agents and negotiators in Malaysia. You’ve got clients who want to sell their property, and now you need to look for customers for these properties. So, you sign up for an account in local property listing websites like Estate123.com and hope for enquiries to come in.
Hours turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks into months – still no response! 🙁 You start to doubt your efforts and lose hope in ever closing a sale. BUT WAIT! When there’s a will, there’s a way, and sometimes, it takes a little more effort to get the ball rolling. First, you’ll need to get your property listings noticed by people, and today we’ll show you exactly how that can be done.
#1 – Subscribe Premium Membership
Just like how Spotify has free and premium (paid) membership accounts, most property listing websites have different types of accounts for members to sign up for. Subscription memberships usually offer more services and functions, not to mention value for money if you are a frequent user. For example, Estate123.com has several different tiers of subscription memberships to cater to different budgets and users. The benefits of being a subscribed Estate123 member include having your listings and profile featured on main page(s), property listing services, personalised QR codes, and exclusive invitations to events and activities.
Subscription memberships generally allow you access to much more useful features and functions
#2 – Include Detailed Information
Nobody wants to look at a property listing that gives them more questions than answers. Quality listings are key to getting noticed, and depend on several factors such as accuracy of information, depth of details provided, and remarks about transportation accessibility and nearby amenities, which are a bonus. Try to avoid grammar or spelling mistakes, and add in some personal notes and recommendations, which will leave a good impression on viewers and potential buyers, thus increasing your chances of getting a lead.
Example of a detailed property description on a property listing (Screenshot from Estate123 mobile app)
#3 – Have Quality Photos
This point cannot be stressed enough. A good listing must be accompanied by good photos. It doesn’t have to be professionally taken or in super high resolution, but it should be clear and show at least the exterior and interior of the property. Make sure to have at least 5 photos showing different aspects and areas of the property in question, and prepare some extra ones in case an enquiry comes in asking for more photos. If you’re not sure how to take good real estate photos, let us share with you some tips on how to take real estate photos like a pro.
#4 – Share Links
You’ve got your property listings posted on property portals, but people are not likely to see them if they do not know your listings are there. Share (but don’t overshare; that’s just annoying) the links to your property listings in relevant places on social media such as property interest groups, property forums, property blogs, and even mobile group chats so that people who are interested in property are able to view your listings. Personalised QR codes linking to your property listings can also be printed on name cards to be given to acquaintances and clients, or even printed on banners, placed in your email signature, and embedded on your personal website. Who knows, you might be able to get a few customers that way!
Image from Nielsen Admosphere
#5 – Advertise
Never underestimate the power of advertising; there’s a reason why it’s a thriving business even (or especially) when the economy is bad. The amount you spend on advertising your listings will more than pay for itself once you manage to close a deal on a property, so just think of it as a sort of ‘investment’ instead of ‘spending’. Advertising your listings or personal brand will not only create awareness to your target audience, but also act as a gauge of credibility. If people have heard of it, then it’s deemed to be more trustworthy than something people have never heard before. Strange, not a reliable way to measure credibility, but true nevertheless.
#6 – Word of Mouth
Remember the time your friend said this restaurant served some really awesome noodles, and complained about how terrible the customer service at that shop was? More likely than not, the next time you plan to visit these places, your friend’s opinion would affect your decision. The same goes for service-based professions. Real estate agents provide service in the form of sales representative, negotiator and customer service to clients, therefore if your clients are happy with your work and services rendered, regardless of whether you manage to close a deal, they are much more likely to praise and recommend your services to their friends and acquaintances.
Image from MAXfocus
Need more tips? Follow the advice of this seasoned real estate agent about how to succeed in the real estate industry.
