What makes a good real estate agent? And how do you know if “you” are one?

This isn’t scientific by any means. But let’s think about those questions…

…here are my thoughts.

To be a good agent you need to be able to market a home to be most appealing to the most people no matter what the house. I know that’s a pretty general statement, but I believe the truth is there. Just about every house you list will be similar to another house. But a good agent is going to have the owners clean it up, pack it up and stage it to look move-in ready. Then when it’s looking tip top, they are going to have an “accurate & complete” set of photos taken that show the home in its entirety. The agent will use these photos along with a well written description in there listing(s). These listings are going to give potential buyers a tour of the home while allowing them to “study” the home. Why is the word “study” important? Because during the “studying” the potential buyer is determining how they will live in the home, and in turn be imagining themselves in the home. Videos are nice for a tour, but photos allow more time for pondering. (This is why not just any photos will do.) The home preparation and the listing are what will get buyers to the home.

Another factor that I believe contributes to being a good agent is when an agent, first and foremost, puts the seller’s needs ahead of their own. Whether it’s the seller’s goal to sell quickly or for the most money, this concept does a few things. The seller won’t need to question whether you are convincing them to take the deal because it’s in your or their best interest. Seller’s need to feel they can trust their agent. Selling and buying a home can be a scary deal for some. When a seller feels they can trust you, they are more likely to talk good things about you and send referrals your way. Your reputation is based on how you do business, and a good portion of your business runs on referrals. Putting your seller’s needs and wants first is a good move for your long career as a real estate agent. Don’t underestimate the power of sincere kindness.

So the bigger question, how do you know if “you” are a good agent? At first, I thought, “I don’t know.” But truthfully, I think you just need to ask yourself if you are doing everything I've mentioned, or at least striving to do these things, and if you are, then I think you are on the right track. If you think you are and still have doubts, call me. We can talk about what you’re doing, and figure out if you can do it different or better.

602-809-7710, Michelle.

What do your listing photos say about your level of professionalism as a real estate agent?

Photos or no photos?

Photos of course!

 You’ve got a client who wants to sell their home. Now what? The goal is to sell the home fast and for the most money, right? How do you get this house noticed more than any other house that’s similar to it? First, you give the client your staging advice: de-clutter, de-personalize, and make it aesthetically friendly to the majority of who will see it. Then, you get a great set of photographs that show the house in its entirety. Next, you do your homework so that you can price it right. Lastly, you create your listing with the great set of photos I give you, and an informative description. Don’t expect to do all these things in a couple days. Realistically, you’re looking at approximately a week, or longer if the home needs extensive “polishing”.

With that all said…NEVER post a listing without photos! Or sub-par photos for that matter. This is a common mistake I see made daily by agents. Here’s one reason why you shouldn’t do it...Some buyers only pay attention to “new listings”. And if your “new listing” doesn’t have images for them to view, they are going to move on. And when you do finally add photos, your listing won’t be new and that buyer will assume they’ve already looked at it. So they won’t bother to click on it. The point is, don’t rush to put out incomplete product packaging. Your marketing strategy is just as important as the product itself. If your marketing isn’t well thought out and complete, you risk cutting down the number of potential buyers that see your product.

I can help you with both the staging consultation and the photographs. Call me and I will help you make your listing stand out. 602-809-7710, Michelle.

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design

Making your product stand out will be the key in the current market

With the housing inventory rising faster than the number of buyers, marketing your homes so that they stand out amongst the rest will be key. The better your product (home) is marketed, the more traffic it will receive. Get a "complete" set of professional photos taken for your listings. It will NOT be money lost. Buyers want to see what is out there. So the more you show them, the more you draw them in. But of course, before you get photos taken, stage the house like a model home. We want anyone who looks at the photos, and eventually the home itself, to feel as if it could be "their" home.

I can assist you with the staging process and the photographs. I specialize in real estate marketing and can help you optimize your marketing strategies. 602-809-7710, Michelle. Check out: http://michelleleighfoxphotography.blogspot.com/2014/03/pricing-for-mlf-photography-design.html

Here's an article from the AZCentral.com discussing today's market.
http://www.azcentral.com/business/realestate/articles/20140308shifting-market.html?nclick_check=1

Enjoy, and don't forget to call me. 602-809-7710, Michelle

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design

AGENTS: Never list your homes with inadequate photos, or worse, no photos at all.

When one of the large fast food chains puts together a commercial, they are putting together a "visual representation" of the "product" they're selling. When you put together a listing for a client's home you are doing the same thing. The "product" is the home and the "visual representation" is the listing. Do you think the fast food chain's commercial would do as well if they didn't include adequate images of the product?

The images are used to peak interest and entice the viewer. If you want to reach the most potential buyers, you must have images. And not just any images will do. You want an accurate and complete set of photos. That is, if you want to peak the interest of, and entice, the most possible potential buyers.

 

Call me and I will show you how to do this. 602.809.7710, Michelle

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design

Custom Marketing Materials

Small Postcard Mailer 

Do you print or want to print postcards or flyers to advertise your listings? Together we can create a custom marketing image for you.  Once we have the basic design elements, I can create the templates for each piece of marketing. (Ex: flyers, postcards, etc.) Once we have the templates, each new listing's photos and specs can be plugged in. If you have a print source, I can send the files to them for you or I can send the files to one of my sources. This means that you have more time to network and find your next client. Plus, it's like having your own assistant. And who doesn't like the sound of that?

If you're interested in making better use of your time, give me a call so that we can discuss your needs, wants and what it will take to make it happen. 602.809.7710,  Michelle.

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design

BAD first impression = Lost Opportunity

And what opportunity do you want? You want the opportunity to sell a house of course!

It's not about the equipment,
it's about knowledge.

To do that you need to make the house you're selling "look" like the best of its kind. The more boxes a potential buyer can check off on their wish list the better the chance you have of getting a phone call. And that's what you want, right? Activity. This is what you'll take back to your sellers, showing them that you will sell their house. I know this may all seem simple, but the truth is, no matter how simple it really is there are many agents who think they can achieve the same results by taking shortcuts. One of those shortcuts being to post subpar photos of their client's home. Sure, eventually they might sell the home, but at what cost? I'll tell ya, "time" and "money". The longer the home sits on the market, the less money they'll potentially sell that home for. If that agent is you, how does that serve you and your seller?

 
Call me so that we can give your clients the quality and professional service they deserve, and you want to be known for.  602.809.7710,  Michelle.

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design

What do your listing photos say about your level of professionalism as a real estate agent?

Not only is the listing, AND the photos in it, your most important tool when trying to sell a home, but it also demonstrates the kind of professional you are. If you’re interested in gaining new clients, you need to put your best foot forward. Not news, right? But have you thought about this? “The real estate listing” your potential client’s first and possibly only chance of meeting you, AND the first and possibly last chance you have of selling the home to a potential buyer. Ah yes, that is how important your listing photos are. These are two types of individuals you're trying to reach. 

When you are mapping out your marketing budgets you need to include funds for the one way you can reach the most potential clients and buyers – the real estate listings. When people start thinking about buying a home they don’t necessarily call an agent right away. No, they hit the internet and start browsing listings. If your listing is appealing enough, there is a chance they will call you. Ta daa! I can’t stress enough what a great marketing tool your listings “can” be. But you have to utilize them in the most optimal way or they could actually be working against you. 

I will work with you, as your partner, to help optimize the appeal of the homes in your listings. To do this, I will provide you photos that “accurately and completely” represent your homes. I’m also a skilled graphic and layout designer, so I can help you out with that when and if needed. Show potential buyers that you’re serious about what you do - sell homes.

Call me, 602-809-7710 Michelle

To see albums of my work, check out: https://www.facebook.com/mlfrep/photos_albums
Remember: There’s a house for every buyer, and a buyer for every house…
Pricing for MLF Photography & Design