as a new real estate agent how do i survive the winter months?

as a new real estate agent how do i survive the winter months?

Investor · Ascutney, VT · Member since 2015 · 291 posts · 20 votes

is it hard to get deals as a new agent during the winter?

i dont have much money and have very little income coming in.  

not sure what i should do to get my business going

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Residential Real Estate Broker · Bremerton, WA · Member since 2013 · 494 posts · 142 votes
10y

The broker/agent with the most appointments wins. To have appointments, you need to set appointments. To set appointments, you need to call people, see people, be social. When you call people and have contact with people, ask to meet up with them! (You know...coffee, to say hi, a quick stop by the house to say hello.) They will ask you about real estate. People can't help it. 

It's better to have a mediocre appointment than no appointment. Go on appointments. 3+ per week. You will sell plenty during the winter if you do this. I love winter. Winter is the best the best time to sell houses. There's no competition with summer activities. People who are selling and buying during the winter are serious.

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  • Rental Property Investor · North Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 93 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    @Devin Mann Good question I want to know this too.

  • Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2014 · 746 posts · 372 votes
    10y

    I'm a new agent too and anxious to hear comments. I would use this time to start fishing for deals from FSBO, expired and referrals. Even if no one is in need or buying/selling right now during the winter, they may be useful once the weather turns and you will be getting your name out there.

  • Lender · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    Understand that I am NOT a Realtor.  However, I know and have worked with 1000's of Realtor's and I have been on the lending side of the business for almost 30 years.  The way you survive the winter months is the same way you survive the rest of the year months.  You work your plan and you work it hard.  I always have my strongest quarter of the year in the 4th quarter.  Why?  Because a lot of people think nobody is going to do anything in the 4th quarter and they slow down and get "holidayitis."  Keep working...do all the marketing you can do.  Follow the same plan for success that you have in place for the rest of the year.  If you don't have a plan for success, get with your broker and develop one.  Winter is just another 3 months out of the year.  People still move, they still buy and sell houses and they still need you!

  • Dawn BrenengenBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Devin Mann This is the time of year to really put your nose to the grindstone.  While other agents are taking October - December off, you should be out talking to everyone you know or meet about real estate.  I'm working on putting together quarterly reports to send out to neighborhoods.  Give people something of value to make them call you.  Network like crazy on BP.

  • Investor · Jonesboro, AR · Member since 2015 · 241 posts · 132 votes
    10y
    When your broke, the best place to go is work-dave Ramsey. I second the other two commenters advice.
  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    10y

    The stretch of time from October to January is one of the most important stretches of time for a Realtor.  However it is also a period of time that many agents do not receive any income.  This is the time where I work on building my business, prospecting for new leads and clients, and furthering the relationships I already have.  The work I put in now will create results in the Spring.  It is hard to tell you to work for months with no pay, but that is unfortunately part of the game....and maybe you will get lucky and get a transaction in the winter. I do about 50% of my entire business for the year in March, April and May. And those things I reap in those months are a direct correlation to the seeds I sow in the late fall and winter.

  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    10y

    @Devin Mann One thing you should consider doing is getting up a profile picture, and filling out your profile here.  Get a facbook and twitter page up and running. Get a website up and running. Get a complete online professional appearing prescience up and running.

    Real estate is a contact sport. Get out there and meet everyone you can. Go to small business networking events. Go to REIA's.

    Ask people you know for referrals.  You would be surprised how many people have never thought about sending you business, that will if you just ask.  This one small thing transformed my business.

  • Investor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2014 · 294 posts · 113 votes
    10y

    @Devin Mann @William Brown

    Lot's of really good advice here. I'm going to attack this from a different angle. I'd suggest is getting your digital marketing set up. If you're doing any Zillow/Trulia/Realtor dot com, you can maximize those emails and phone numbers by re-doing all your follow up. 

    With those email addresses (or your current email database), you can create audiences in Facebook to more highly target an audience you want to work with. 

    You could do virtual open home tours. So when people are stuck inside cause of the Vermont winter (not so much in Vegas) you can virtually show people property. 

    You can sign up for Periscope (via Twitter) and broadcast yourself live to an audience or just take your phone and record yourself going through a house and show it and sell it! Post the video on your Facebook business page.

    Take people on tour! Let them know that you're out there working by constantly showing value or something cool you found in a house on your social media channels.

    Also, always say a call to action! If you like what you see and want more info, feel free to connect with me via x, y, z or call me at ____.

    Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! 

  • Dana WhickerPro Member
    Investor · Fernandina Beach, FL · Member since 2014 · 557 posts · 374 votes
    10y

    Hopefully @Jon Snow will chime in.  He should have some helpful advice.

  • Real Estate Investor · Reno, NV · Member since 2012 · 240 posts · 45 votes
    10y

    hook up with investors on BP....  Investors purchase home (at the right price) 12 months per year....  find out their needs, wants, and price range then go find it....  make sure you bring them projects with enough profit for them and they will keep you busy all year along

  • Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    10y

    Get a second job waiting tables at a restaurant , you get food cheaper , now you wont starve . Next have business cards made and leave  one with every customer you serve .

  • Rental Property Investor · North Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 93 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    @Robert Musallam Thanks for the advice those are some good ideas I will put it to use thanks.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Bremerton, WA · Member since 2013 · 494 posts · 142 votes
    10y

    The broker/agent with the most appointments wins. To have appointments, you need to set appointments. To set appointments, you need to call people, see people, be social. When you call people and have contact with people, ask to meet up with them! (You know...coffee, to say hi, a quick stop by the house to say hello.) They will ask you about real estate. People can't help it. 

    It's better to have a mediocre appointment than no appointment. Go on appointments. 3+ per week. You will sell plenty during the winter if you do this. I love winter. Winter is the best the best time to sell houses. There's no competition with summer activities. People who are selling and buying during the winter are serious.

  • Rental Property Investor · North Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 93 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    @Stephanie Dupuis Thanks for the advice I will apply it.

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