Kim Hughes

Providing solid solutions since 1999 specifically tailored for today’s real estate professional.

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Rock Your Next Virtual Open House

With the surge in the virtual world that began in March and shows no signs of relenting, the real estate market has seen some drastic changes recently. Whether you are trying to reach buyers that are uncomfortable going out, been quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure, or can’t travel due to restrictions, virtual open houses can be a great tool. Likewise, if you are representing the seller, they will likely appreciate you providing exposure to their home while limiting the number of people that physically visit their home. There are definitely some benefits to virtual houses but like anything, if you are going to do it, do it well. Follow these five steps to make sure your virtual open house earns maximum exposure.

Rock Your Next Virtual Open House

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  1. Plan for it. The planning may be different but just like any open house, you must plan for it. The house should be well-staged, clean, and inviting. Ditch the refreshments and put time into simple staging like setting the dining room table or adding flowers in different rooms. Make sure the owners and pets can be away for the day. With fewer places open for them to go, this may present a challenge for some but even if they just go for a drive or to pick up their latest grocery order, that will allow you to hold an open house.
  2. Market the virtual open house like you always would. Many websites and MLS platforms have updated their software to allow information on virtual open houses. Take advantage of this option and share the information there. Make sure you also post it on social media and reach out to your database to make them aware of it too. Encourage your sellers to share your social media posts with their followers as well. If the neighborhood offers a Facebook page or group, that is another great place to post the information.
  3. Practice with your technology. If you know what to expect when presenting the home, you will be more comfortable. There is nothing worse than going through an entire open house to find out it didn’t work. Do a couple of quick test runs then watch yourself so you can make adjustments to your delivery and make sure you are easily understood and people are able to follow your remarks.
  4. Make notes for each room and part of the house in advance and write them down. No, you shouldn’t read from a script during your tour but the act of writing them down will help you remember the things you want to mention. You will want to share important details about the home with potential buyers so make sure you are telling them the things they can’t see. Don’t overlook spaces like closets and make sure to highlight recent updates as well.
  5. Don’t stop after the open house. Just like following up with buyers after a traditional open house, make sure you do the same thing now. Answer questions from buyers if they have any and make sure you share the tour with anyone that didn’t participate in the live viewing. Post the tour to your social media accounts if it wasn’t hosted there so others can view it. For a few dollars a day, you may consider boosting your post to expose it to more people. After you put the work in, you will want to reach as many people as you can.

It’s too early to say if all of the recent virtual changes will stick around for the long haul but while they are here, it’s important to use the tools correctly and to the full extent if you want them to benefit your business as much as possible.

Ready to see the benefits of having Kim Hughes and her team of professional high-level real estate assistants can help you move your business to the next level, help you become more organized so you can focus more on what is important to you. Schedule your 30-minute Strategy Call… https://go.oncehub.com/KimHughes

ANNOUNCEMENT: Have you heard? The Ultimate Expired Listing System has been a huge success for so many agents around the country. Check it out to see if it is for you. https://www.kimhughes.com/the-ultimate-expired-listing-system.

I would also like to invite you to join my exclusive Facebook Group – Real Estate Success Tools is very unique as we share tips, strategies, and more on how YOU can run a more streamlined business by implementing the tips and tools we discuss here. Join us today it will only take a couple of minutes but will change the course of your business. Go ahead…join us now. https://www.facebook.com/groups/realestatesuccesstools/

 

Ready to take your business to a new level? Here are some great blogs to help you get started:

3 Tips to Rock Your Transaction

Social Media Marketing for Real Estate

Is It Time to Bring on an Assistant?

Does Your Website Need a Face Lift?

7 Tips to Have an Amazing Newsletter

 

How organized are you with your day? Maybe you need to hold yourself accountable for your time? I have created a 90 Day Real Estate Planner for you. Check it out. https://www.kimhughes.com/90-day-real-estate-planner/

Connect with ME:

 

 

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Sell Yourself on Zoom

While Zoom, Facetime, Skype, or whatever else you are using to connect virtually nowadays is great for meeting with people, it can seem a little different if you don’t know the person at all. How can you conduct initial meetings and make a great first impression without the initial handshake and chance to make personal eye contact? It can be done! Here are five tips to best your best face forward in your next virtual introduction meeting.

  1. Dress for the part. Online meetings don’t mean you should show up in your pajamas. You will feel more confident if you are dressed for success and pajama pants don’t do that. Put yourself together like you would for a face-to-face meeting. Select clothes that make you feel your best, do your hair and makeup, and present yourself professionally.
  2. Prepare for the meeting. What do you do before appointments to prepare? For buyers, do you research the areas and types of homes they are interested in? For sellers, do you pull information and research the property they have to sell? If you do it for traditional appointments, do the same thing for your virtual ones.
  3. Send the client materials in advance of the meeting or to have during the meeting. If you normally take printed materials to clients when you are meeting with them, email them to them in advance of the meeting. You could also consider mailing them the materials before the meeting if you have time to do that. When you put time into details like this, this will show a higher level of professionalism.
  4. Confirm the meeting in advance. Due to the different meeting formats, some people may not take it quite as seriously. Show you are serious by calling the client the day before to confirm the meeting time. This is a casual reminder and will let them know you are taking the meeting seriously.
  5. Practice your virtual pitch. Presenting information to a client online can be a little different than an in-person meeting. Before conducting your first virtual presentation, practice on a friend or family member so you can get more comfortable and make sure you understand the software you are using. Pick someone that will be honest about their critique and offer you good tips to make yourself look your best online.

Sell Yourself on Zoom

Like anything, you will get better with practice and will learn from each presentation. After each presentation, you should feel more comfortable and you will grow your confidence as you are able to successfully deliver your message and connect with new clients.

Ready to see the benefits of having Kim Hughes and her team of professional high-level real estate assistants can help you move your business to the next level, help you become more organized so you can focus more on what is important to you. Schedule your 30-minute Strategy Call… https://go.oncehub.com/KimHughes

ANNOUNCEMENT: Have you heard? The Ultimate Expired Listing System has been a huge success for so many agents around the country. Check it out to see if it is for you. https://www.kimhughes.com/the-ultimate-expired-listing-system.

 

I would also like to invite you to join my exclusive Facebook Group – Real Estate Success Tools is very unique as we share tips, strategies, and more on how YOU can run a more streamlined business by implementing the tips and tools we discuss here. Join us today it will only take a couple of minutes but will change the course of your business. Go ahead…join us now. https://www.facebook.com/groups/realestatesuccesstools/

 

Ready to take your business to a new level? Here are some great blogs to help you get started:

3 Tips to Rock Your Transaction

Social Media Marketing for Real Estate

Is It Time to Bring on an Assistant?

Does Your Website Need a Face Lift?

7 Tips to Have an Amazing Newsletter

How organized are you with your day? Maybe you need to hold yourself accountable for your time? I have created a 90 Day Real Estate Planner for you. Check it out. https://www.kimhughes.com/90-day-real-estate-planner/

Connect with ME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Making an Offer During a Seller’s Market

With the limited inventory of homes for sale in many real estate markets, it is likely you may have a client interested in a home that many other buyers are also interested in meaning they could wind up in a multiple offer situation. Some buyers find this stressful and get discouraged if they miss out on their dream home because others want the same home. While it is unfortunate when this happens, it may open the opportunity for another home they hadn’t considered that turns out to be the best choice. At the same time, sometimes the first home they were interested in really is the right place for them. If that is the case, they will want their offer to be selected in case of multiple offers. How can you help your clients so they get the home they want without offering an amount that is unnecessarily high?

Today’s blog offers 5 great tips to help your clients so they get the home they want without offering an amount that is unnecessarily high?

  1. Keep in communication with the listing agent of the property. From the time you schedule the first appointment, just be responsive to the other agent, and DEFINITELY provide feedback from the showing promptly and without the agent having to ask multiple times. Once you know your client has significant interest in the property, make sure to let the agent know. Homes are going under contract quickly in this market and you don’t want it to be under contract before you even realize it. Doing these things all the time is the best thing you can to do build strong relationships with other agents in your market. You can’t only do this when a buyer is interested in a home. You must do this all the time so you have a good relationship with agents all the time.
  2. Request your buyer to provide you a preapproval letter or proof of funds right away. This should be dated in the most recent 30 days so there is no question of if it is still good. This can make a big difference when sellers are evaluating multiple offers.
  3. Ask the buyer questions about their interest in the home so you understand their level of motivation. If this is just a place to live, they may be better off to find a different home that has less interest. If this is their dream home, you need to know that so you can give them the best advice to make sure they get the home.
  4. Research the value of the home. Limited inventory in some markets is placing upward pressure on home values. Don’t assume you know what a house is worth if you are basing it off sales in previous years or even early this year. Take a look at the most recent activity so you can make sure you are giving your client the most current information.
  5. Educate your buyers on how to make an offer with as few contingencies as possible. An offer that requests a longer than normal contract and inspection period, closing costs, a home warranty, and several items of personal property isn’t likely to be selected if there are multiple offers. Don’t let them make this kind of an offer without making sure they understand that upfront. Encourage buyers to make clean offers with as few contingencies as they can meaning no closing costs or home warranties and an inspection period that is as short as possible.

Making an Offer in a Seller’s Market

In real estate, you are the expert. Give your clients the best service you can by educating them and keeping them informed about what to expect. Your excellent service is sure to generate their appreciation and hopefully referrals of their friends and family in the future.

Ready to see the benefits of having Kim Hughes and her team of professional high-level real estate assistants can help you move your business to the next level, help you become more organized so you can focus more on what is important to you. Schedule your 20-minute Strategy Call… https://go.oncehub.com/KimHughes

ANNOUNCEMENT: Have you heard? The Ultimate Expired Listing System has been a huge success for so many agents around the country. Check it out to see if it is for you. https://www.kimhughes.com/the-ultimate-expired-listing-system.

I would also like to invite you to join my exclusive Facebook Group – Real Estate Success Tools is very unique as we share tips, strategies, and more on how YOU can run a more streamlined business by implementing the tips and tools we discuss here. Join us today it will only take a couple of minutes but will change the course of your business. Go ahead…join us now. https://www.facebook.com/groups/realestatesuccesstools/

Ready to take your business to a new level? Here are some great blogs to help you get started:

3 Tips to Rock Your Transaction: https://www.kimhughes.com/3-tips-to-rock-the-transaction/

Social Media Marketing for Real Estate:  https://www.kimhughes.com/how-effective-is-your-social-media-marketing/

Is It Time to Bring on an Assistant? https://www.kimhughes.com/is-it-time-you-bring-on-an-assistant/

Does Your Website Need a Face Lift? https://www.kimhughes.com/does-your-website-need-a-face-lift/

7 Tips to Have an Amazing Newsletter https://www.kimhughes.com/7-great-tips-for-your-newsletter/

How organized are you with your day? Maybe you need to hold yourself accountable for your time? I have created a 90 Day Real Estate Planner for you. Check it out. https://www.kimhughes.com/90-day-real-estate-planner/

Connect with ME:

Website: https://www.KimHughes.com
Blog: https://www.kimhughes.com/resources/real-estate-blog/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/KimHughesRealEstateVirtualAssistant

Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/KimHughes

LinkedIn: http://www.Linkedin.com/in/kimhughescoaching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimhughescoaching/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kim_hughes/

YouTube: Kim Hughes Real Estate Business Strategies

Email Me: Kim@KimHughes.com

Thanks again…….

 

 

 

 

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Keep Your Business Running Smoothly During a Pandemic

Don’t shake hands, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, practice social distance.  Does this all sound way too familiar?

The Coronavirus has created all of us to stop and think before we go into a public place, think about our elders, our children and our own health not to mention how this is affecting our business.

It’s impossible to avoid news surrounding the Coronavirus lately and some of the news tends to lead people to believe they need to panic and make drastic changes to their lifestyle. Assuming you are relatively healthy, other than foregoing International travel to certain destinations as well as cruises, you should continue to go about your daily routine as usual. This is ABSOLUTELY not a reason to avoid anything related to real estate.

As we go through the comings weeks and months, there are likely to be many more cases of the virus discovered but that doesn’t mean you are at greater risk for Coronavirus than the flu and therefore your precautions should be similar. What is your best defense? Regular hand washing. And if you weren’t doing that before, that is definitely something you should rethink for many reasons.

Keep Your Business Running Smoothly During a Pandemic

Now that you aren’t going to change your work routine due to this virus, what should you be doing? Call your contacts and talk about buying and selling houses. While the Federal Reserve recently dropped rates, this may or may not impact rates with your favorite lender but even if it doesn’t, mortgage rates are excellent. If someone has been on the fence about buying, the current rates might get them off the fence.

Don’t just call your buyer leads. Call your past clients too. Depending on their current mortgage rate, refinancing might be worth it. Ask them what their current rate is then recommended your favorite lender for them to talk to. Fifteen-year mortgages offer even better rates so if they have paid down their mortgage some and with rates so low, they might be able to refinance to a fifteen-year term and keep their payment about the same. Wouldn’t that make you a hero?

Whether the phone calls you make lead to immediate sales or not, your clients will be happy to hear from you. Be the voice of reason at this stressful time. Whatever you do today, tomorrow or next week, make sure you wash your hands!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Have you heard? The Ultimate Expired Listing System has been a huge success for so many agents around the country.  Check it out to see if it is for you.   https://www.kimhughes.com/the-ultimate-expired-listing-system/

What is The Ultimate Expired Listing System?  It’s everything wrapped up in a nice little package for you.  Videos, Postcards, Email Scripts, Phone Scripts, Worksheets and so much more.

I would also like to invite you to join my exclusive Facebook Group – Real Estate Success Tools is very unique as we share tips, strategies and more on how YOU can run a more streamlined business by implementing the tips and tools we discuss here. Join us today it will only take a couple of minutes, but will change the course of your business. Go ahead…join us now.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/realestatesuccesstools/

Ready to take your business to a new level?  Here are some great videos to help you get started:

5 Bookkeeping Tips to Finish Out Your Year
https://www.kimhughes.com/5-bookkeeping-tips-to-finish-out-your-year/

What Does Your Real Estate Listing Checklist Look Like?
https://www.kimhughes.com/what-does-your-real-estate-listing-checklist-look-like/

Is It Time to Bring on an Assistant?
https://www.kimhughes.com/is-it-time-you-bring-on-an-assistant/

Does Your Website Need a Face Lift?
https://www.kimhughes.com/does-your-website-need-a-face-lift/

7 Tips to Have an Amazing Newsletter
https://www.kimhughes.com/7-great-tips-for-your-newsletter/

How organized are you with your day?  Maybe you need to hold yourself accountable with your time?  I have created a 90 Day Real Estate Planner for you.  Check it out.

https://www.kimhughes.com/90-day-real-estate-planner/

Connect with ME:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

YouTube:  Kim Hughes Real Estate Business Strategies

Email Me:  Kim@KimHughes.com

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4 Easy Ways to Connect on a Personal Level to Turn an Acquaintance into a Raving Fan

Lee Iacocca once said “Business, after all, is nothing more than a bunch of human relationships.” This is true in many businesses but especially true in real estate. Real estate is personal and because of that you can sell a house one time to anyone but if you want to have clients that call you every time and refer you to every friend, coworker and family member, you must build lifelong relationships and stay in touch with your clients.

Relationships are about connections and how do you connect with those you may not know all that well yet. Here are four easy ways to connect on a personal level to turn your acquaintance into a raving fan of your business.

4 Easy Ways to Connect on a Personal Level to Turn an Acquaintance into a Raving Fan

  1. Start on Facebook. Go through your list of friends and make a list of birthdays you don’t want to forget. Then make yourself a list, find their mailing addresses, purchase cards and sit down once a month and prepare them to mail out. Any Facebook user knows they will be bombarded with birthday messages on their birthday but how many cards will they receive in the mail? Be the person that stands out from the crowd.
  2. While you are on Facebook or Instagram, dig a little deeper. How many times do you scroll through Facebook and offer casual comments but not go beyond the surface. Don’t worry, I am not suggesting you get super personal on Facebook but use the knowledge you gain there to go a little further. Did someone share they were sick or had surgery? Follow up in a few days to check on them or send a card. Did someone post pictures of an awesome vacation you have always wanted to take? Call them the week after they return and ask to meet for lunch so they can tell you all about it. New pet post? Drop off a bag of treats to the newest member of the family. Proud parent post? Send the child a card congratulating them on their accomplishment. Reaching out to people in small ways will make you stand out and allow your relationship to grow to the next level.
  3. Have you ever hosted an event for your past clients? Small events are a great way to visit with your clients and do something nice for them? Events don’t have to be fancy or complicated. Invite everyone to join you for a local baseball game, meet at the coffee shop or ice cream store or even host a food drive and invite your clients to drop food off at a certain time. After the event, follow up with those that came to share a photo and thank them for coming.
  4. Do something with a group regularly. Are you part of a book club, workout group, bible study or any other small group activity? Many times we get so busy these items become nothing more than another item on our to-do list. Stop that mindset and focus on your time there. Don’t overcommit yourself and these will feel less like chores. Whatever group you are a part of, be all in and truly engage with those in your group. Don’t just show up to each meeting and then dash out the door when it’s over. Take time to talk to those involved and ask what they have going on. The same way you follow up from social media posts, apply that here too. When you talk about something that is going on, follow up later to see the outcome. If you aren’t currently a part of a group like this, find one that applies to your interests and fully participate.

As you complete all of these activities, you don’t have to constantly talk about real estate but as your relationships strengthen, your connections will think of you when real estate comes up. None of these activities should take you days and weeks to implement. They are about being fully engaged on a daily basis and nurturing the relationships you already have so that those relationships become stronger and last longer. These are the keys to your long term success.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Have you heard? The Ultimate Expired Listing System has been a huge success for so many agents around the country.  Check it out to see if it is for you.   https://www.kimhughes.com/the-ultimate-expired-listing-system/

What is The Ultimate Expired Listing System?  It’s everything wrapped up in a nice little package for you.  Videos, Postcards, Email Scripts, Phone Scripts, Worksheets and so much more.

I would also like to invite you to join my exclusive Facebook Group – Real Estate Success Tools is very unique as we share tips, strategies and more on how YOU can run a more streamlined business by implementing the tips and tools we discuss here. Join us today it will only take a couple of minutes but will change the course of your business. Go ahead…join us now.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/realestatesuccesstools/

Ready to take business to a new level?  Here are some great videos to help you get started:

5 Bookkeeping Tips to Finish Out Your Year
https://www.kimhughes.com/5-bookkeeping-tips-to-finish-out-your-year/

What Does Your Real Estate Listing Checklist Look Like?
https://www.kimhughes.com/what-does-your-real-estate-listing-checklist-look-like/

Is It Time to Bring on an Assistant?
https://www.kimhughes.com/is-it-time-you-bring-on-an-assistant/

Does Your Website Need a Face Lift?
https://www.kimhughes.com/does-your-website-need-a-face-lift/

7 Tips to Have an Amazing Newsletter
https://www.kimhughes.com/7-great-tips-for-your-newsletter/

How organized are you with your day?  Maybe you need to hold yourself accountable for your time?  I have created a 90 Day Real Estate Planner for you.  Check it out.

https://www.kimhughes.com/90-day-real-estate-planner/

 

 

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