The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident through natural disasters worldwide. In my market alone, 2,700 homes were lost to wildfires, including three duplexes that I owned. Recent events like the devastating fire in Maui have left hundreds homeless.

How does this relate to real estate? Well, it's directly tied. Amid this destruction, we, as REALTORS, have an opportunity to step in and provide assistance. While it won't be an immediate transaction, it can help us build lasting relationships founded on genuine value.

So what's my suggestion?

Reach out promptly to your entire sphere of influence. Capitalize on the awareness generated by these incidents. Say, "Given the current wave of natural disasters, many clients have requested a quick update on their home value to ensure their insurance coverage is adequate. I've already prepared this report for you, and it took just a few minutes. If you're interested, I can send it via email. You can review it a...

I've got a hypothetical scenario for you:

Imagine a buyer walks in and says, "I want to buy this specific house. We've found it online and want to pay you directly. Convince me why your fee, whether it's 2%, 2.5%, 3%, or whatever you charge, is worth it. What value do you offer beyond finding the house?”

Remember, they've already found it. This is crucial for buyer representation. Let me share some ideas about this, drawn from my experience teaching the Accredited Buyer's Representation (ABR) class for NAR for a decade:

Let me guide you through building value. When working with buyers, start using this language: “You know, finding a house is surprisingly straightforward. My real work begins once we've found the house.”

It's crucial to show that the house hunt isn't the challenge; anyone can do that.

Then continue:

“But what I do is special. Here's what I do: First, I conduct thorough research on the house. I delve into the seller's purchase history, how long they've o...

I want to highlight three key stats that drive our real estate business:

First, about 80% of our business consistently comes from our sphere of influence, no matter what we do.

Second, an impressive 53% of today's industry transactions are from millennials.

Lastly, a Nielsen report reveals that a significant 92% of consumers trust family and friends over advertising. This underscores the importance of reviews and recommendations.

Now, let's dive into these areas and ask ourselves what we've done in the last six months to strengthen our sphere of influence, boost sales, and expand our reach.

Consider this: In a changing market landscape, where factors like interest rates and conditions influence sales ratios, it's crucial to grow our audience.

If your sphere of influence isn't growing, you might already be experiencing a decline in business due to lack of proactivity.

But it's not just about quantity; quality communication is vital.

Have you texted everyone in you...

I've got a story from my trip to Boston with my wife. While our son was in summer camp, we embarked on a delightful foodie tour of Little Italy, guided by an amazing teacher turned tour guide. He shared the rich history of the area, led us through fantastic shops, and treated us to mouthwatering cuisine. Toward the end, he pulled off a brilliant move relevant to your real estate efforts.

As we basked in the afterglow of a satisfying tour, he proposed a group photo. After the snap, he asked, "Who wants a list of all the restaurants we visited today? Just give me your email, and I'll send it over."

We all gladly obliged. Upon reaching home, his email contained the promised picture and the tour's culinary highlights. Here's the genius part: he added a well-placed plea for a review, taking advantage of our post-tour excitement. We promptly provided a glowing review.

He went further, offering even more value. For those extending their stay in Boston, he shared a comprehen...

Hey there, I've got a winning strategy for dealing with expired listings and for sale by owners:

Cold texting.

In today's age, people often ignore unknown calls. So, why not consider a more effective approach? Cold texting can be a game-changer, and adding a personal touch through video texts sets you apart.

Let's talk about expired listings. Craft a concise cold text, incorporating a hyperlink for more info.

For example: "Hey, I specialize in unique home-selling strategies. Want to chat? Check out my real estate resume here." (This link could lead to your LinkedIn or Instagram profile, even a Google Doc or a dynamic success portfolio.)

Alternatively, for a video text: "Thinking of relisting your home? Planning to interview new agents? Take a quick look at my marketing plan." This is especially impactful if you have a comprehensive 50-point marketing plan like the one in my coaching program. Showcasing your capabilities is key.

Another approach: "I noticed your l...

Hey folks, let's step into my DeLorean and journey back to January 1st. Time to take a look at what you've achieved from then till now. Join me as I walk you through a self-evaluation of 10 pivotal actions.

First off, calls. Have you connected with everyone in your database? A quick chat or two?

How about personalized texts or DMs? Opting for video texts is even better.

Emails - have you sent individual, meaningful emails to each database entry? And what about bulk emails? Regular newsletters, monthly or more?

Are you leveraging audio snips? Those small audio messages can make an impact. And video messages? The personal touch goes a long way.

Speaking of impact, client events. Have you hosted any this year? If not, consider it. Networking meetings also count.

Have you engaged in one-on-one conversations over coffee or meals? How many times a week?

Now, let's talk about social media. Are you consistently posting five times a week with a mix of videos and stories?

Hey guys, want to improve your Google rankings? Here's a quick tip: visit answerthepublic.com.

Once you're there, enter the search terms you want to rank highly for, such as "Medford, Oregon Real Estate" or "Buying a Home in Medford, Oregon."

By doing this, you'll receive a list of top search questions asked on Google. Utilize these questions to create an article for your website or blog. Incorporate SEO-friendly terms and address common search queries.

Posting this article on your website or blog will boost your search rankings since you're providing relevant content that people are searching for.

To streamline this process, AI tools like WriteSonic.ai can be incredibly helpful.

Simply input your question or article title, and the tool will analyze existing articles on the internet. It will then generate a well-written article for you to post on your website, making your job easier.

With this valuable tip, you can organically grow your audience and achieve higher s...

Hey guys, what if I told you that today may be a better time to sell your home than even last year when rates were 4%?

Let me give you the data (and a script you can use):

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“According to the National Association of REALTORS, home prices are now only $4,000 away from their all time high last June, and we are at 11% less inventory than we were at that time.

The other great thing that is happening in this market is that sellers are now back to getting 100% of our asking price on average in our market. And get this: 37% of sellers are selling for over full price.

So this is a market that is a great market for sellers in most price bands. If you're thinking about selling, I'd love to chat with you. I'd love to have you send me a text or a quick call.

Let's talk about what it might look like for you to put your home on the market.”

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That's the script I want you to use. That's the script I want you to put out because it’s the truth.

The market for sellers probably ...

Guys, 60,000 agents have already left the industry, and another two to 300,000 are projected to follow.

But here's why it's good news for us as REALTORS:

Each departing agent likely had one or more transactions last year. As they leave, those opportunities come back into play, and we have the chance to handle them as real estate professionals. So we can expect to get busier with each agent's exit.

However, there's an even bigger opportunity that most agents are overlooking:

Every agent who leaves the industry leaves behind a sphere of influence, a network of family and friends who may have some influence that we can tap into.

Here's what you can do:

Reach out to these exiting agents and express your condolences about their departure. Then ask them a quick question: Would they be interested in monetizing their hard work by earning referral fees? Since their license is still active, they can leave it hanging and refer anyone outside the industry who's thinking about...

Hey guys, when you meet someone new, whether it's at a party or a function, one of the first questions they ask is, "What do you do for a living?"

Our default response as REALTORS might be, "I'm a REALTOR."

But that's boring and generic. Everyone knows multiple REALTORS.

We need to rethink how we present ourselves and craft a unified message that leaves a lasting impression. We need to occupy a unique space in the minds of potential clients.

Imagine the brain as a whiteboard with "REALTOR" already written several times. It's meaningless and makes us seem like just another commodity. We must find a new space to occupy.

Here are some examples:

1. "I specialize in riverfront and rural properties in southern Oregon. With 30 years of experience in this market, it's my passion."

2. "I focus on helping people buy homes in the highly desirable Summerfield area."

3. "As a relocation specialist with John L. Sky Realty, I assist clients moving to and from different areas of...