How do you respond when a seller says they'll wait until spring, especially in the winter?

If you can't handle this objection, you're in a tough spot, right?

Let me share a powerful response because mastering the language of sales is key. It's not just about handling objections, but about providing food for thought to help them make the best decision.

So, if someone tells me, "Jim, we'll wait until spring and summer," here’s what I’ll say:

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“I completely understand. I'll be here to assist you then as well. But here's something to consider. Many potential sellers are planning to wait for the same season, leading to a surge in listings. The advantage is better weather and more buyers, but the downside is increased competition.

Instead of one or two listings, you might face 10 or 20. More competition means buyer interest gets divided among many listings, potentially resulting in fewer showings and offers.

Now,...

There are some significant changes happening in the real estate industry:

If you've been following the Zillow lawsuit, you might know that recently, two major players, Realogy (which includes Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby's) and RE/MAX, settled this lawsuit. While other companies and the National Association of REALTORS are still part of this ongoing lawsuit, these two giants settled for substantial amounts—Realogy for 85 million and RE/MAX for over 55 million.

But what's more crucial is what they agreed to within the settlement itself, not just the financial aspect:

They've agreed to give sellers the option to not pay buyer agent commissions (BAC) when listing their homes. This means that when a property is listed on the MLS, sellers can choose to set the buyer agent commission to zero.

Imagine this scenario:

In your market, a significant portion of sellers start opting not to pay a buyer agent...

What's the top reason someone might sell their house in the next 12 months?

A recent study just unveiled the number one motivator for people moving in 2024…

…and it's all about craving more space—not just square footage but room to breathe.

A whopping 38% of respondents cited this as their primary driver for considering a change.

Another big one is being closer to family and friends, a universal priority. Job changes and the overall cost of living in one community versus another are also high on the list. Then there's the desire to snag a better housing deal or explore different neighborhoods for financial reasons.

Surprisingly, there are a couple of unique motivations emerging: Some folks want to live in areas that align better with their social views, which is a new trend.

So how can you approach this topic sensitively?

Here's one approach: Share a social post stating, "One of the top reasons people are...

I want to help you become the go-to expert in your market.

You should aim to be seen as the trusted authority that people turn to with their real estate questions. To achieve this, you need to consistently share information and content about the real estate market.

Let me share an example of a script I recently created for our agents in our coaching program. This script focuses on national market statistics that you might find valuable:

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First, let's talk about inflation. You may have heard that inflation has recently risen to 3.7%. One common question I receive is, "How does this affect the real estate market?"

Well, the most significant impact has been on mortgage rates. Mortgage rates have climbed to the mid-sevens, almost hitting 8%. This has caused some potential buyers to hesitate. However, there is some good news:

Surprisingly, we are still selling approximately 91% of the number of homes we sold...

Congrats on meeting with a "For Sale By Owner." But what comes next? How do you stay engaged with them over the typical four to six weeks it takes for them to decide to list with a REALTOR—something that 92% of them eventually do?

Allow me to share a handful of strategies to maintain contact during this critical phase. It all begins with obtaining their permission for follow-up. Consider something like this: "While I'm not here to ask about listing, I can provide valuable insight on your competition. Want to know which listings are your peers' top choices? I'll send you the info, and I'll even pinpoint your strongest rival.”

Another approach is offering a full Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) or, as we term it, a Total Market Overview (TMO). If they mention having received CMAs already, you can explain the difference by saying, "I offer a TMO—Total Market Overview. It covers the national, state,...

I've got three pieces of great data for sellers:

First off, the number of offers per listing sold has rebounded to three and a half, moving up from the previous high of five and a half offers last year.

This drop was influenced by rising interest rates, but recently, we've seen a resurgence in the number of offers.

Next, let's talk about pending home sales, which have been steadily increasing over the past three months.

These numbers have been consistently on the rise.

And then there's the excellent news about sales prices.

They've not only recovered to where they were in June of last year, which marked an all-time high for U.S. home prices, but they've actually surpassed that level by a considerable margin. It seems like this upward trajectory in prices will persist.

So, if you're considering selling your home, this might be the optimal time to do so. Looking back at the past decade, it's quite...

Did you know that pools are currently in high demand in the real estate market? If you own a house with a pool, you can expect to sell it for about 8% more on average compared to homes without pools.

This is important for us as real estate professionals because we can inform pool owners that they have the potential to sell at a premium.

Speaking from personal experience as a pool owner, I can tell you what happens after buying a house with a pool:

Initially, it's an exciting novelty, and you use it constantly for the first couple of summers. However, over time, the novelty fades, and while you may not use the pool as much, the constant maintenance remains. This maintenance can be quite a hassle if you're doing it yourself, or it can become expensive if you're hiring someone to maintain it.

For those who have owned a pool for several years, it can eventually become more of a headache than a luxury. This could...

What single skill, if mastered impeccably, could significantly impact your real estate career over the next year?

Take a moment and consider the answer.

I often pose this question to various agents, and the responses vary widely. Some say lead generation, others cite video creation, social media marketing, listing presentations, buyer interactions, showings, negotiation— the list goes on.

However, these responses reveal a common thread— a lack of confidence in that particular area. This deficiency in confidence is evident to clients and impedes your true potential.

So how do you remedy this situation?

Here's my solution:

Confidence originates from competence.

You must become proficient in the skill you're tackling. And how do you achieve competence? Through practice, continuous and deliberate practice. Malcolm Gladwell delves into this concept in his book "Outliers." The top performers in various fields,...

Hey everyone, have you ever found yourself in a lull, wondering how to make the most of your downtime? Well, I've got three impactful activities to supercharge your business during those quieter moments.

Let's delve into them:

Step #1 - Cleaning and categorizing your database.

It might not sound glamorous, but trust me, this is the foundation for success. Your database is like a garden, and nurturing it ensures fruitful outcomes. Get in there, organize it, weed out the unnecessary.

Begin by categorizing contacts into groups:

The A group: those who refer you business, your champions.

Then the B group: They've transacted with you but haven't referred yet.

Acquaintances form the C group: They know and like you, but haven't done business or referred.

Lastly, the D group: Reconnect with them or let them go. Don't keep dead weight.

Maintaining momentum, let's talk about building your database. The game has changed with...

During a crisis, my go-to strategy is digging for details. The more I ask questions and dive in, the better the chances of finding a resolution for all parties involved.

It's about reaching a middle ground, not a perfect solution where everyone feels like a winner. Conflict requires compromise.

So, how do I dig for details? Let me share five or six strategies for engaging in productive conversations.

1. I encourage people to open up to me.

I ask them to elaborate on what's happening and why they feel the way they do. I want to draw out their thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, my goal is to help them release their emotional tension. By talking it out, they become more amenable to reaching a resolution.

2. I clarify by asking for more context.

When things are unclear, I dig deeper. I rephrase questions if necessary. Lawyers excel at this skill.

3. The third approach is normalizing.

I let them know they're not...