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Pain Points for Real Estate Agents?

by jamesfreddyc
46 replies
I have some ideas and a list of pain points that real estate agents might have but I'd like to hear from you to validate what I am thinking and maybe give me some new ideas.

It doesn't have to be specific to leads or generating qualified leads I am open to hear any idea you may have. For example (I will be marketing to the real estate agents themselves) they may:

  • Be overly reliant upon home office or the corporate website for qualified leads
  • Haven't figured out how to use free media or too unfamiliar to use it effectively
Thanks for any input!
#agents #estate #pain #points #real
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    PPC is really expensive for them too generally.
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Quality of leads.
    Time it takes from the time they accept/have an offer accepted to the time the mortgage loan closes.
    Cost of getting a good lead.
    Lead/Customer lack of loyalty (i.e., showing someone 10 houses, then having that someone buy with another agent 2 weeks later).
    The more successful they are, the better they've dealt with the above.

    Many I've known have no system for getting referrals, a few managing brokers constantly pay for postcards and flyers that even the printer thinks is a big waste of money.





    Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

    I have some ideas and a list of pain points that real estate agents might have but I'd like to hear from you to validate what I am thinking and maybe give me some new ideas.

    It doesn't have to be specific to leads or generating qualified leads I am open to hear any idea you may have. For example (I will be marketing to the real estate agents themselves) they may:

    • Be overly reliant upon home office or the corporate website for qualified leads
    • Haven't figured out how to use free media or too unfamiliar to use it effectively
    Thanks for any input!
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by DABK View Post

      Quality of leads.
      Time it takes from the time they accept/have an offer accepted to the time the mortgage loan closes.
      Cost of getting a good lead.
      Lead/Customer lack of loyalty (i.e., showing someone 10 houses, then having that someone buy with another agent 2 weeks later).
      The more successful they are, the better they've dealt with the above.

      Many I've known have no system for getting referrals, a few managing brokers constantly pay for postcards and flyers that even the printer thinks is a big waste of money.
      Great input DABK!

      I can really tie these things together and they all seem to fit with the product I offer.

      Thanks again,
      James
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

    I have some ideas and a list of pain points that real estate agents might have but I'd like to hear from you to validate what I am thinking and maybe give me some new ideas.

    It doesn't have to be specific to leads or generating qualified leads I am open to hear any idea you may have. For example (I will be marketing to the real estate agents themselves) they may:

    • Be overly reliant upon home office or the corporate website for qualified leads
    • Haven't figured out how to use free media or too unfamiliar to use it effectively
    Thanks for any input!
    To match these up correctly, we first must know what services you're offering. There's no point in giving you a pain point for a problem that you can't fix.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      To match these up correctly, we first must know what services you're offering. There's no point in giving you a pain point for a problem that you can't fix.
      I can easily add a few but I agree, what's the point (pun intended) unless more info is provided,

      Eva
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      To match these up correctly, we first must know what services you're offering. There's no point in giving you a pain point for a problem that you can't fix.
      My service is appointment reminders as SMS/Text messages. But it is only that --- so think DemandForce, Trumpia, etc... without all of the functionality they offer, just focused on a very simplified and efficient way to send out appointment reminders. At a really great entry price point.

      I keep gravitating back to this idea of customer appreciation "campaigns". My selling point is leaning towards using the reminders as something their customers will appreciate, it also allows for an easy referral process between prospects/customers.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

        My service is appointment reminders as SMS/Text messages. But it is only that --- so think DemandForce, Trumpia, etc... without all of the functionality they offer, just focused on a very simplified and efficient way to send out appointment reminders. At a really great entry price point.

        I keep gravitating back to this idea of customer appreciation "campaigns". My selling point is leaning towards using the reminders as something their customers will appreciate, it also allows for an easy referral process between prospects/customers.
        Appointment reminders, huh.

        Then your prospects will have to have experienced the following:

        * upset because their clients keep missing showings

        * aggravated that seller homeowners cause showings to have to be rescheduled, because they mistake the day or time it was booked for

        * frustrated that clients frequently call to reschedule showings at the last minute, saying that they forgot the time was coming up

        * feeling buried by the constant effort of keeping up with clients, having to phone them every time to remind them of upcoming appointments.

        Use that word "showings". That's one of the specific jargon words to the real estate field. It separates you from the wannabes.
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        • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
          Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

          Appointment reminders, huh.

          Then your prospects will have to have experienced the following:

          * upset because their clients keep missing showings

          * aggravated that seller homeowners cause showings to have to be rescheduled, because they mistake the day or time it was booked for

          * frustrated that clients frequently call to reschedule showings at the last minute, saying that they forgot the time was coming up

          * feeling buried by the constant effort of keeping up with clients, having to phone them every time to remind them of upcoming appointments.

          Use that word "showings". That's one of the specific jargon words to the real estate field. It separates you from the wannabes.
          gold.

          Your outreach is greatly appreciated, Jason.
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          • Profile picture of the author DABK
            So, you're offering some kind of software?
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            • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
              Originally Posted by DABK View Post

              So, you're offering some kind of software?
              Yes. A SaaS / Software as a Service product, monthly subscription packages.
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              • Profile picture of the author DABK
                I looked at your site. I don't see many real estate agents paying to send 1000 sms/text messages. Let alone pay extra to do it. Extra because they all think they've got a smart phone that sends text messages.

                To make money with real estate, you need to have a buyer. Most, if not all the real estate agents I know, don't know what to do with what you offer.

                Or, maybe, I don't understand what you're offering...



                Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

                Yes. A SaaS / Software as a Service product, monthly subscription packages.
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                • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
                  Originally Posted by DABK View Post

                  Or, maybe, I don't understand what you're offering...
                  I think this is correct.

                  Demonstration with GoToMeeting sessions are a large part of the sales process and we do not rely upon the website itself much -- there is a "Features" section but it is lacking. We do have some new video that will go up on that page, plus a video testimonial -- these are both very new (this week) and have not been integrated into the website just yet.

                  Specific to Real Estate Professionals: I appreciate your feedback.

                  because they all think they've got a smart phone that sends text messages.
                  Yep, this is exactly correct. But this is also a big giant pain point for them (or their assistant). Having to text, email, and manually call contacts just to remind them of a showing or other appointment is a very time consuming process that our solution addresses.
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                  • Profile picture of the author DABK
                    It seems to me you need to forget real estate agents and go for managing brokers. Specifically, managing brokers who have a few real estate agents working for them.

                    Look at real estate sites... A lot of them have agents listed... and for each agent, they list active properties. And a lot of times, more than half of the agents have zero properties, month after months. And a few have 1 or 2.

                    If they have 2 at $100,000 each, that's not a lot of money, if they do sell. In my area, a sale generates 5% for agents ($10,000). Half goes to one managing broker half to the other. So, $5,000 goes to the managing broker. Of that $5,000, half goes to the agent. The agent is not likely to think saving some time on making phone calls, or a few no shows, are worth $29 a month.

                    So, you need to find yourself managing brokers. Or, at least, agents who sell $400 and $500k of houses. Agents who advertise in magazines like Sheridan Road (Chicago's North Shore by the rich, for the rich magazine).

                    You can go to @properties websites, sothebys, rubloff... Look up their agents. Specifically, agents and brokers located in the rich neighborhoods... Yes, not all of the ones in average neighborhoods sell cheap houses... But odds of finding suitable leads are better for you with thoe ones located in rich neighborhoods.

                    Maybe you could go after the ones that deal with the extra rich. Sell them on the idea that they can have virtual showings as a first step, they only go see in person the ones with lots of potential. They way, maybe their clients will like them more... You know... Bought a house and I only had to go to 2 properties, the others, I saw in my pajamas, while having breakfast.

                    This woman Chicago - 980 N Michigan Real Estate Agent Profile | Prudential Rubloff Properties

                    has only 3 properties. One is pending. Asking price $10,000,000. She, and her boss, would not have problems paying for extra ways to get a sale. I don't know how much she actually gets, never talked to agents who sell that kind of houses.

                    This one is in San Francisco: Deborah Nattrass & Missy Nolan : Hill & Company Real Estate. Asking over $500k but only one. She might not care all that much about saving the time it takes to remind people of a showing.


                    Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

                    Yep, this is exactly correct. But this is also a big giant pain point for them (or their assistant). Having to text, email, and manually call contacts just to remind them of a showing or other appointment is a very time consuming process that our solution addresses.
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                    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
                      Originally Posted by DABK View Post

                      If they have 2 at $100,000 each, that's not a lot of money, if they do sell. In my area, a sale generates 5% for agents ($10,000). Half goes to one managing broker half to the other. So, $5,000 goes to the managing broker. Of that $5,000, half goes to the agent. The agent is not likely to think saving some time on making phone calls, or a few no shows, are worth $29 a month.
                      This is strange. I have hair stylists (not a salon, but the individual stylist) who use our platform from their iPad, Tablet or even smartphone to send out reminders for the next day's list of scheduled appointments.

                      Mitigating no-shows is smart business because they ONLY make money when their clients show up for services. Preventing 1 missed appointment each month easily pays for the service (it's not $29 -- we have several subscription levels offered depending upon how many messages each month).

                      From my perspective, that hair stylists' average service fee is only like $30-$75 (depending on their specialty) and if this same thing is applied to $3k-$10k commissions --- it's a no-brainer. But again, that is part of the sales process and monetizing something that you and others might perceive to be trivial is the task at hand --- the fact is, missed appointments aren't trivial to a service business or professional, they are critical to their bottom line.
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                      • Profile picture of the author DABK
                        Yes, it is. And a lot of agents I've met bitch about no shows but are not willing to invest in solutions because they don't make enough sales, according to them, to warrant.

                        Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

                        This is strange. I have hair stylists (not a salon, but the individual stylist) who use our platform from their iPad, Tablet or even smartphone to send out reminders for the next day's list of scheduled appointments.

                        Mitigating no-shows is smart business because they ONLY make money when their clients show up for services. Preventing 1 missed appointment each month easily pays for the service (it's not $29 -- we have several subscription levels offered depending upon how many messages each month).

                        From my perspective, that hair stylists' average service fee is only like $30-$75 (depending on their specialty) and if this same thing is applied to $3k-$10k commissions --- it's a no-brainer. But again, that is part of the sales process and monetizing something that you and others might perceive to be trivial is the task at hand --- the fact is, missed appointments aren't trivial to a service business or professional, they are critical to their bottom line.
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                        • Profile picture of the author DABK
                          For OP

                          Big pain point for agents is after the sale, getting the closing. If you can do something to help them get to the closing faster, they'll love you.

                          Borrower doesn't respond to mortgage lender/broker request for documents.
                          Documents are sent by borrower but the wrong ones, again and again and again.

                          ETC.

                          Can your software help them keep the borrower/lender dance on track?
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                          • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
                            Originally Posted by DABK View Post

                            For OP

                            Big pain point for agents is after the sale, getting the closing. If you can do something to help them get to the closing faster, they'll love you.

                            Borrower doesn't respond to mortgage lender/broker request for documents.
                            Documents are sent by borrower but the wrong ones, again and again and again.

                            ETC.

                            Can your software help them keep the borrower/lender dance on track?
                            Eh. Probably a difficult proposition because it is SMS messaging and I really have no way to know if the RE person communicates with those parties via Text/SMS message. If so, perhaps --- the most typical scenario would be this:

                            Each evening or morning the RE sales person/agent/assistant would sit down, add in the recipients for the next day's appointments and send them out right then. As a comparison, a typical small dental practice would see about 10 patients a day, that equates to about 250 messages / appointment reminders sent out each month.
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                        • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
                          Originally Posted by DABK View Post

                          Yes, it is. And a lot of agents I've met bitch about no shows but are not willing to invest in solutions because they don't make enough sales, according to them, to warrant.
                          80/20 rule in effect?
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        • Profile picture of the author jcolon
          Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

          Appointment reminders, huh.

          Then your prospects will have to have experienced the following:

          * upset because their clients keep missing showings

          * aggravated that seller homeowners cause showings to have to be rescheduled, because they mistake the day or time it was booked for

          * frustrated that clients frequently call to reschedule showings at the last minute, saying that they forgot the time was coming up

          * feeling buried by the constant effort of keeping up with clients, having to phone them every time to remind them of upcoming appointments.

          Use that word "showings". That's one of the specific jargon words to the real estate field. It separates you from the wannabes.

          All inputs are Great but if i had to choose one favorite i'd say this One hit it right on the Money. As a current Real estate Broker I have experienced some f not all of these problems multiple times im sure and yes they can all be a pain in the ass.

          Also, great point on the word "Showing"

          Good Luck to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author jpeguero
    ... Regardless of the business.
    The MONEY IS ON THE LIST.

    I'm real estate broker

    I hope that helps

    Juan
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    Yes we qualify prospects for need and budget.

    Quick point: when we monetize the problem of their qualified leads/prospects disappearing, it magnifies the issue of revenue loss. Even if this number is low, say 5/mo or 60/yr, and a low closing rate, that could be a significant number of revenue being left on the table each year. We submit that a more proactive customer outreach/engagemnt process, done in a passive manner such as our service provides, can help to mitigate some of that revenue loss.

    Even if average commission is $3k and we can help save one deal for them, the cost of the service is minimal in comparison. Plus they are getting much more from the ancillary affects: relationshipping, customer appreciation, referral opportunities.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    RE agent pain? they are way overpaid for what they do, 95% of the time, and there are too many of them! haha
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      A few years ago, there was a study. For Sale By Owners VS Real Estate Agents. Homeowners who sold their own homes got, on average $41,000 less than those who sold with agent. And, on average, they take 19 days longer to sell than agents do.

      Realtors vs. For sale by owners | Visual.ly (info provided by the national association of realtors, but my 10+ years of experience (not a real estate agent but involved) says they're right or close to it)

      So, clearly, agents are worth $41,000 + whatever the time to show houses is worth + dealing with the paperwork + helping buyer get financing and all such things.

      http://www.realtor.org/field-guides/...ate-statistics gives some more statistics. Maybe OP can use them.

      Originally Posted by NewParadigm View Post

      RE agent pain? they are way overpaid for what they do, 95% of the time, and there are too many of them! haha
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      • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
        Originally Posted by DABK View Post

        A few years ago, there was a study. For Sale By Owners VS Real Estate Agents. Homeowners who sold their own homes got, on average $41,000 less than those who sold with agent. And, on average, they take 19 days longer to sell than agents do.

        Realtors vs. For sale by owners | Visual.ly (info provided by the national association of realtors, but my 10+ years of experience (not a real estate agent but involved) says they're right or close to it)

        So, clearly, agents are worth $41,000 + whatever the time to show houses is worth + dealing with the paperwork + helping buyer get financing and all such things.

        NAR Guide to Quick Real Estate Statistics for REALTORS® | realtor.org gives some more statistics. Maybe OP can use them.
        haha looking at a study from the NAR for agents is like having a workers union do a study on whether union workers do a better job than non union. LOL

        that 41k more stat is very flawed, they do not compare "Like" properties, just that average sales price. Most FSBO people sell lower price homes. It's like saying Mercedes sells for an ave of 41k more than Chevy.

        Gotta love the NAR, they convinced Americans to pay 6%-7% to list a property on MLS and print a few brochures. They've created a good racket.
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        • Profile picture of the author clawHAMMER
          Originally Posted by NewParadigm View Post

          haha looking at a study from the NAR for agents is like having a workers union do a study on whether union workers do a better job than non union. LOL

          that 41k more stat is very flawed, they do not compare "Like" properties, just that average sales price. Most FSBO people sell lower price homes. It's like saying Mercedes sells for an ave of 41k more than Chevy.

          Gotta love the NAR, they convinced Americans to pay 6%-7% to list a property on MLS and print a few brochures. They've created a good racket.
          Don't mean to get off-track here but this comment is a BIG 10-4! I've had alot of experience dealing with realtors the past 20 years and from my personal experience the 80/20 rule doesn't exist, it's the 90/10 rule in this industry.

          90% + of them are pretty much u-s-e-l-e-s-s as real estate agents

          Not returning phone calls is a big pet peeve of mine and realtors are beyond awlful unless the commission is significant otherwise forget it. From offices to houses I've dealt with a truckload of realtors over the years and most of them are worth about 1% commission IMO.

          To the OP I think you'd be better off developing some kind of app or program attuned to home buyers instead of realtors. The list of 'pain-points' for homebuyers or investors dealing with realtors has to be longer than gripes realtors have dealing with buyers.

          6% for sticking a sign in the yard and calling it good then wait for the phone to ring? That's 95% of them.

          99% of realtors don't think outside the box. They land a listing and think sticking a sign in the yard and listing it on MLS is the ticket and maybe a classified ad and an open house.

          Anyone whose dealt with realtors for any amount of time as I have has to have a list of pain points longer than their arm so my suggestion is from the other side of the coin.

          Or better yet, a pain program or app for 'both parties' and you've covered both sides of the coin.
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          • Profile picture of the author savidge4
            This thread apparently has been rolling for a while. I found it to be an interesting read. the part that interested me the most was the self admission by the OP that this setup works for a hair stylist that only makes $40.00 an appointment why wouldn't A real Estate agent that stands to make thousands be interested?

            Here is my question... WHY are you beating your head with a target market that does not seem interested, when there are targeted marketing areas that ARE interested and see the value?

            It just seems you are trying to FORCE a service on someone that from the outside YOU think can afford it, and would NEED a product such as yours. But think of this a moment. How many clients a day a week does your Hair Stylist have? how many does a Real Estate agent have?

            Your Service is more geared for Volume. Doctors, Dentist, Plumbers, Satellite installers ( yes I use a similar set up ) Massage therapist, In home speach therapist. I just dont think Real estate agents fit into the same category.

            I would think that YOUR largest pain point in selling the product is the volume of clients your potential client has. 2 appointments a day is not going to see the value in your service. 5+ appointments a day WILL see the value.
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      • Profile picture of the author misterme
        I think you're narrowing pain points down to what sounds like tech issues?

        What about sales pain points such as not continually losing sales to other real estate companies?

        What about the ego pain of being in the lowest performing agents in their own office?

        What about the hit they take when they're trying to keep up with paying personal bills but the showings they're depending on for income keep no showing?

        Pain points of that nature.

        You don't always have to know what the pain points are exactly. You can usually match up your solution to whatever pain points you discover as you go.

        That all being said, I really like DABK's idea of selling to the brokers, not the agents. If you sell them on making appointments keep for their whole slew of agents that's got to hit them that a X% increase in showings is going to translate as money.

        But I can't agree with DABK's conclusion that "agents are worth $41,000" to for-sale-by-owners just because the study cites a $41,000 average. Averages are misleading. The study could've had, for example, three $500,000 homes and five $100,000 homes, then the averages get skewed toward the higher end and so for the average joe selling their $100,000 home that $41,000 more in their pocket actually never happens.
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        • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
          Originally Posted by misterme View Post

          Pain points of that nature.
          Very good. Thank you!

          That all being said, I really like DABK's idea of selling to the brokers, not the agents. If you sell them on making appointments keep for their whole slew of agents that's got to hit them that a X% increase in showings is going to translate as money.
          Oh we do. I just want to seek out other options because we do have individual clients (hair stylists) that use our service from their iPad/Tablet at their chair/station because the salon they work at doesn't offer a system like this. This platform is that easy to use and I am looking for ways to offer this solution to Real Estate sales professionals because when I monetize the pain points it really is LOUD and CLEAR why using our solution can make a difference in their bottom line (if just 1 deal is saved because they mitigated delays or derails in a deal, then that is thousands of dollars in commissions).
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Possibly managing brokers. I don't see it for individual
    agents/brokers because they really watch overhead and
    really don't deal with a lot of prospects or clients at one time?
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  • Profile picture of the author DirectRealty
    im an RE broker for the last few years Facebook and Youtube marketing has worked well. I'm also building a list and sending weekly listings to local investors.
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by DirectRealty View Post

      im an RE broker for the last few years Facebook and Youtube marketing has worked well. I'm also building a list and sending weekly listings to local investors.
      That's something interesting. What about offering them a "premium" SMS alert rather than the normal weekly <whatever you send> to them?

      And thanks for your input!

      Also, after reading your post I remembered watching this video of Mike Ferry on a stage debating a social media marketing expert in an "old school vs new media" topic. This was really good! You might enjoy.

      Mike Ferry vs Social Media (Must See Video!) - YouTube
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I have hair stylists (not a salon, but the individual stylist) who use our platform from their iPad, Tablet or even smartphone to send out reminders for the next day's list of scheduled appointments.
        I can see it as useful in that setting....dentists and doctors use that type of reminder, too. Those businesses have multiple appointments each day.

        A RE agent has one or two appointments a day at most. They also need to establish personal rapport more than a hair stylist or dentist, etc - so be ready to counter the "I call clients personally the night before".

        If it's only a simple way to send out appointment reminders (which is how you described it) I think it will be a hard sell to agents. If your product could be sold to the Office where multiple agents could use it....that might be different.
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  • Profile picture of the author shesnoops
    I'm an independent real estate broker in Louisiana and find most challenging:

    - a good site design. I'm OCD and I'm never satisfied with a design so I'm always changing it and never promoting it :-(
    - sites geared toward agents are often extremely expensive and not feasible for small time agents.
    - need more affordable scripts for agents. IDX feeds are rather pricey!
    - finding correct key words for search engines.

    Re reminders, depending on the MLXChange service, there's a built in reminder of appointments, new listings etc, that send text messages and/or emails to clients. I'm a member of central LA and those options are already avail to agent members. Maybe offer something that's not so available to us?

    I'm not familiar with PPC mentioned by Matt.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmericanMuscleTA
    The biggest pain point is working with buyers. If they don't buy anything you wasted a LOT of money and time.

    I should probably start charging a retainer to show buyers. :-D
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    • Profile picture of the author shesnoops
      Originally Posted by AmericanMuscleTA View Post

      The biggest pain point is working with buyers. If they don't buy anything you wasted a LOT of money and time.

      I should probably start charging a retainer to show buyers. :-D
      LOL you are so right!
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  • Profile picture of the author floresdenisef
    im an RE broker for the last few years Facebook and Youtube marketing has worked well. I'm also building a list and sending weekly listings to local investors.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    The biggest pain point is finding sellers.
    If you have a way to find good sellers, let me know.
    I have a simple system that helps realtors close 90% of their deals without the typical run around.
    I am working on the seller portion now, but if you have a better system let me know.
    I will be licensing this to RE Agents/Brokers.
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    Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

      The biggest pain point is finding sellers.
      If you have a way to find good sellers, let me know.
      I have a simple system that helps realtors close 90% of their deals without the typical run around.
      I am working on the seller portion now, but if you have a better system let me know.
      I will be licensing this to RE Agents/Brokers.
      I am a little confused, but I assume you mean the seller in the sale of a property. The real active agents I am aware of really hit the phones hard to find sellers, calling expired listings and FSBO's.
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    • Profile picture of the author David B.
      Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

      The biggest pain point is finding sellers.
      If you have a way to find good sellers, let me know.
      I have a simple system that helps realtors close 90% of their deals without the typical run around.
      I am working on the seller portion now, but if you have a better system let me know.
      I will be licensing this to RE Agents/Brokers.





      I meeting an agent week on Friday next and I am interested in this I have a simple system that helps realtors close 90% of their deals without the typical run around

      Can you PM me more info?

      Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmericanMuscleTA
    shesnoops, I'd rather concentrate 100% on sellers and refer the buyers. We refer buyers for 15%. If they don't buy anything nothing lost on our end. If they buy something, 15% for us for doing nothing. Giggity!

    vndnbrgj, finding sellers is easy. If you can pick up the phone and call then all the power to you, but I prefer postcards to our farm area and 3D mail to expireds. Just offer something on your postcards.

    We offer a free selling guide. It amazes me how many people raise there hands saying they want a copy. They're our perfect prospects because they're thinking about selling at some point... now or in the near future. It may not be instant listings, but one seller we got asked for the selling guide back in July and we just got the house listed the beginning of this month and have an interested buyer (though, we know how often an interested buyer never buyers).
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  • Profile picture of the author cairnstarheel
    Buyers are lyers. So the way to securely make money is when you have a secure listing, or sole listing. however, the internet is changing this because its so easy to self list, or put a property on the internet.

    Trust and credibility are required when selling real estate. It can be very emotional for both parties.

    Competition is tough. Low barriers to entry, and low skills required to get a job.

    Closing is a difficult skill to learn.

    Sales people hate cold calling, fearful of it.

    Chasing buyers/sellers who have shown a interest is a pain in the butt

    Qualifying buyers, some are pretty sooth and suck you in and waste your time.

    Hope this helps. If you create any good copy let me know I sell investment properties!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by cairnstarheel View Post

      Buyers are lyers. So the way to securely make money is when you have a secure listing, or sole listing. however, the internet is changing this because its so easy to self list, or put a property on the internet.

      Trust and credibility are required when selling real estate. It can be very emotional for both parties.

      Competition is tough. Low barriers to entry, and low skills required to get a job.

      Closing is a difficult skill to learn.

      Sales people hate cold calling, fearful of it.

      Chasing buyers/sellers who have shown a interest is a pain in the butt

      Qualifying buyers, some are pretty sooth and suck you in and waste your time.

      Hope this helps. If you create any good copy let me know I sell investment properties!
      What?

      I don't understand much of what you're trying to express here.

      I know plenty of realtors who make money on split commissions.

      The internet and self-listing are only forms of marketing, not selling.

      Barriers to becoming a realtor may be low, but the skill level necesary to be successful is high.

      Closing is not difficult if you qualified well.

      If you get sucked in by time-wasting prospects (who are NOT buyers), then you aren't good at qualifying.

      But I don't see what any of this has to do with the original question about pain points for real estate agents concerning the OP's reminder app.
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  • Profile picture of the author andersondsilva
    Real estate agents are most helpful while you are searching real estate property for residential or commercial use. Real estate agents have various pain points while they are dealing with different-different clients or their property matters.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joel
      Don't ask "Pain Points for Real Estate Agents?" here ... stop by a few local real estate offices & take a few agents out for a cup of coffee or lunch and ask them. Have a quck informal checklist as a guide & offer them an incentive to take the time to discuss with you.

      Joel
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      "Without data or facts, you are just another person with an opinion"

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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by Joel View Post

        Don't ask "Pain Points for Real Estate Agents?" here ... stop by a few local real estate offices & take a few agents out for a cup of coffee or lunch and ask them. Have a quck informal checklist as a guide & offer them an incentive to take the time to discuss with you.

        Joel
        This is a good point; I worked with many real estate agents in one of the hottest markets in the world. So I speak from experience.

        The guy before you is just trying to bump his post count so brought this thread back from the dead.

        But it is always a good idea to go directly to your target market and ask them what they think.

        Yesterday I wrote a commercial script for a renovation company. I was working with a friend and we were in his shop, which is a different business from our client's. A lady walked in who was a match of our client's avatar. After she finished her transaction with my friend, I made sure to ask her what she thought of the renovation commercial script.

        She loved it, which is great. That's the feedback I want. Not that *I* love it. I'm not the target market. I'm just the writer.

        If you're afraid of "revealing yourself" before your local target market, call a different town or state. The main pain points will be the same.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Adams
    I think, that one one the biggest pain points for listing agents is ficticious online leads. There are a lot on scams on the Web. Agents spend so much time going through fakes, their response time to the real leads suffers and they miss opportunities.
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