The article in question is part of the Real Estate Startup Guide – a carefully curated collection of articles that will assist you in planning, starting, and grow in your business real estate!
In the event that you’re reading this, it’s likely that you enjoy talking with others creating connections, and helping others – you’re a person. When it comes to profitability real estate is an excellent choice for people looking for passive investment options or to create services that are highly sought-after in various areas in the US.
A bit of information about the sources used in this article:
I spoke to over 13 realtors professionals for this piece! It’s not surprising that there are a few comments that appear to be valid across all of them, such as the necessity of having a strong online presence, a thorough knowledge of SEO as well as a niche or defined target audience, and a great interpersonal skills as well as the capacity to handle your connections and contacts.
Step 1: Planning
When you’re setting up a real estate company or a corner coffee shop or a business that manufactures rocket components It’s always a good idea to draft your business plan. Planning your business can make your business more successful- it’s been proven scientifically!
In addition, the process of planning prompts you to consider important factors like how your company is positioned to compete against similar companies and the amount of money you’ll require to start, but it will also help confirm your ideas and develop a routine of creating goals and milestones.
According to real property investment Eric Bowlin, the purpose of the business plan is dual. According to him “First it provides you with the opportunity to document your objectives and goals. Additionally, it’s an important document you can give to investors or lenders to show clearly not just your goals but also the current situation and the way you arrived there.” In the planning procedure, Eric got a lot of valuable tips from a regional Small Business Development Center.
If you don’t have any previous experience in the industry, it’s a great idea to seek advice from somebody who’s had experience. A real estate agent Jamal Asskoumi of Castle Smart advises, “If you yourself are not directly involved in the real estate industry, you should seek out someone who is at the beginning of the planning process. They’ll be aware of the rules and regulations.”
You can take the option of taking a formal course on the subject or reading the appropriate books (see the section on resources at the end of the article).
Tools such as LivePlan help make the planning process much easier, providing you with a step-by-step guide through each section. This is also true for samples of business plans. Take an examination of the sample Real estate-related business plan available on Bplans.
Introducing Lean Planning: How to Plan Less and Grow Faster
Step 2: Market research and validation of ideas
How can you tell if you’ve come up with an idea that is going to work? How can you be sure you’ve selected a market in the real estate industry that has a real public? How do you determine what you can do to stand out in this market?
These and other questions similar can be addressed during the first phase of market research. When you conduct both secondary and primary market research, you can give you a better idea of whether the market you’ve chosen is worthwhile enough to pursue.
Naturally, there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to figure out which niche you’re the best to assist. The variety of responses we received from realtors throughout the United States is proof of this.
Conduct market research before you start
Making the time to conduct your market research in the early stages will help you save time as well as money. Michelle Stansbury, a realtor at Bluegrass Partners Trust Realty says, “My first year was lots of fiddling around trying to figure out what was not working. In the second year, I increased my revenue.”
Conduct market research to determine your abilities
Brad Pauly, the owner of Pauly Presley Realty, took the same trial-and-error method, but for him, it was a method to determine his strength and weakness. “I figured out my target market through trial and error,” the agent states. “When I began my career in the field I was adamant about accepting any company! When I realized my strengths and abilities, I concentrated on these strengths. After four years of being licensed, I got my broker’s license. I also founded the company we’re now.”
If you’re unsure of your strengths and weaknesses, completing SWOT analyses can aid in determining them.
Experience some real-world work or seek out an instructor
If you’re a person who is a doer first one of the other options for conducting market analysis is to begin doing the things you want to do. The majority of people don’t have extra time or funds to invest in this however if you decide to well and it’s as reliable a method as any other. Morgan Franklin, a licensed real estate agent in Lexington, Kentucky, says, “I was confident [my idea] was going to work because I had already developed enough business to pay all of my startup expenses before I took my real estate exam.”
In reality, Morgan did spend some time working as an estate lawyer and therefore had little experience before beginning. “If you have no experience, I would strongly urge a new agent to find a mentor to work with for the first year or two,” Morgan suggests. If you’ve not had much exposure to the business choosing the “mentor” route is a great option.
However, Morgan did do an amount of research on his own. In response to questions about the way he worked out what his ideal audience was, he replied, “I looked at the number of sales that were happening in my area, sourced by the administrator of property values, and then I looked for the sweet place. This is the area where the majority of the transactions were taking place. From there, I went to the top of the market.”
Cheryl Julcher, the Managing Broker at Yellow Brick Properties, did her market research however, she also decided to begin with an area that she was strongly about. “Here at Yellow Brick, we are all about healthy, safe, comfortable, and smart homes–eco-conscious and sustainable housing,” she says.
“We went with our passion, and that is what I would advise anyone to do,” says Cheryl. “Go with the market sector –millennials, empty nesters, etc.–that you care about the most and are most knowledgeable about.”
If you’re feeling strongly regarding a specific industry is the ideal time to start a market study.
Step 3: Branding
Branding is essential for companies of all sizes. If you have a well-known image, it’s easier to build trust, appear larger than you actually are, draw customers in, and generally be the first name or business that people consider when they think of.
Based on the advice of branding specialist Sara Conte of Brand Genie, “Although you can influence your brand through well-designed logos, hilarious ad campaigns, carefully crafted press releases, or super-friendly service, ultimately, your brand is what the outside world says it is.”
In essence, your reputation is your reputation.
Tip #1 for branding Your reputation boils dependent on your relationships
Realtor Jamal Asskoumi, of Castle Smart, has a good understanding of this He doesn’t just believe that it is important to make your business apart from others as well as the importance of relationships with your customers.
“When branding your real estate business Try to create a personal brand as you can. It is a profession that is heavily dependent on relationships and interaction. Make sure your company has the same friendly smile you do.”
You are someone people will want to associate with. Your brand is your identity, at the end of the day.
The Realtor Tim Frie takes this idea one step further. He states “Building a reputation is more important than building a brand in real estate…plus, building a reputation is a lot easier than constructing a brand.”
Tip #2 for branding: Give worth and give people what they want
Credibility and reputation appear to be inextricably linked when it comes to real estate. Michael Kelczewski a real estate agent with Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby’s International believes that people discern non-verbal signals and behavior patterns. In the end, there’s a lot less that could happen if you act as you would in real life.
Real estate investor Eric Bowlin, holds a similar view. “Real estate is actually about people more than the land,” Bowlin claims. “As an individual business in the field of real estate, I feel that branding your business is more important rather than branding your company. You need to make people want to work together.”
Marketing tip #3: Use your imagination to make your space your own
If, on the other hand, you are proud of having the ability to create something that is distinctive because it’s unique and creative You have a rare chance.
Cheryl Julcher of Yellow Brick Properties distinguished her brand from the rest by launching an exclusive line of homes called Zoetic Homes(TM). “Each home comes with a nutrition label, is quality verified by an independent third party, and is guaranteed to have a design that matches actual performance.”
Tip #4 for branding Make yourself the expert to call
Becoming an authority in your field is another excellent way to stand out. In the case of Morgan Franklin, the secret ingredient was video and a strong presence on social media.
“I have branded myself as a local expert and have differentiated myself through the use of social media, and more specifically, video,” Morgan says. Morgan. “I host a weekly show on real estate which is posted on YouTube along with Facebook. This has been a huge benefit because it has linked my name with luxury properties, although I’ve never had the properties.”
On the other hand, if you’re young, inexperienced, and not experienced then you could have an excellent opportunity to sell yourself. “Sell your inexperience (and youth if that applies to you) as an asset,” Agent Michelle Stansbury. “You will be hungry to succeed and are more likely to work harder to get homes sold than the agents who have already ‘made it.’ Inexperience isn’t a total weakness and doesn’t let anyone convince you that it is.”
Step 4: Legalizing it
One of the most appealing aspects of entering the real estate industry is that, for the majority of states, there’s just one test you have to be able to pass. Do your best, and you may be able to pass it in just a few months. Naturally, the rules differ between states and therefore, you should be in touch with your state for regulations and guidelines.
In Florida For instance it is not necessary to be an agent in real estate or a broker to establish an estate business. As per Tim Frie, “You just need a broker-of-record who is an officer or manager of the company who is responsible for overseeing the actions and transactions of the sales associates.”
The Real Estate Prep Guide website is a great resource to locate test preparation resources or get a glimpse of what the real estate test in your state is like.
Of course, real estate requirements apart, there are several things you can do from the beginning, including choosing the proper name for your company, registering that name, requesting the Federal Tax ID, and obtaining the necessary business permits and licenses.
Tim. Tim selecting a business name was a smart decision. “My partner and I decided on something that was near to home that is a blend of name that we share. Many notable real estate firms have names like this: Coldwell Banker, Keller William, Engel & Volkers, Long, and Foster. We did not only seek to replicate the success of the business, but with the way we serve our customers and supporters, we wanted to create something profound to leave as a legacy an outcome of our efforts and commitment.”
A lot of real estate agents use their own names because it’s an excellent way to tie your company to your personal name and brand.
If you are aware of the things you’ll need to complete before you can begin your journey, starting isn’t too difficult. “Create a corporation, register your DBA, make sure you are in good standing with all boards and commissions,” Brad Pauly, the owner of Pauly Presley Realty. Pauly Presley Realty, listing the most important things you have done in order to begin. He also recommends to entrepreneurs think about the possibility of getting liability insurance. That’s key!
If you’re still unsure of what to do in make it “legal,” real estate broker James Brooks advises consulting a lawyer who is specialized in the field of real estate law.
Step 5: Getting financing
One of the most appealing aspects when you first start within the residential real estate business is that having a large amount of cash available isn’t necessarily necessary.
It’s also a company which you can begin on a part-time basis while still working the day job (though obviously, you’ll need an employer that is flexible to let you have time to make calls).
Joshua Jarvis, the owner of Jarvis Team Realty, says: Jarvis Team Realty, says, “The startup cost to start a real estate business is extremely low. I took advantage of the savings that I had and with less than $1000, I could start. The budget for my month is 10 times that and you don’t need any money for starting–or at least that’s what most people believe.”
The thing you should be thinking about, according to Joshua The most important consideration will be cash flows. “Don’t just calculate the startup cost, calculate ‘carrying cost,'” Joshua says. “As in the number of months, it takes you to begin to earn cash. In the real estate industry, it is usually 60 days or longer before you are able to receive your money.”
In the case of Hollywood real estate broker Gwen Banta, getting the money to be able to take the job seriously was much to do with her other revenue sources, to begin with, and also her roles as a writer and actress.
If you find you require investor financing or an investment loan from a bank, creating an outline of your business is a good first step.
The real estate broker Jamal Asskoumi took the funds for his company from his personal savings. “If you cannot fund the project yourself, ensure you know how and where to find investors,” the agent states. “Also, create a flawless business plan to present to them.”
If you’re thinking about what a business plan is you should take a look at our free samples of plans for real estate businesses. They’ll give you an idea of how you can create your own plan. Also, make sure to read the below resources, which include our guides to pitching and financing to help you when it’s time to pitch to an investor or bank.
Step 6: Setting up your shop
For those who are getting started in the field of real estate, office space isn’t essential. In the initial phase, the focus is more on establishing a name in your particular field.
Real property Investor Eric Bowlin says, “The majority of the people I know working in real estate started at home. It’s much more important to pick an area of interest rather than think about where to put your shopfront. When you’re starting out, you’ll need to be flexible and be able to quickly modify your plans if they’re not functioning. A physical location can limit your access to that market, making you less flexible, while increasing costs.”
There will be a time that you’ll need to locate a location for your business to set up a business, recruit employees, and set up your business with the appropriate technology. However, hiring employees isn’t the best option for all. Eric states “I’ve employed people in the past but I’ll never employ another employee. The federal regulations for employees are too costly and burdensome. In my case, every employee I interact with is treated like an employee and is given an income tax form 1099.”
In terms of technology, superior software for managing customer relationships and a shared email solution appears to be the real estate agent’s dream item. Cheryl Julcher doesn’t mince her words: “Our essential technology is our CRM, and the ability to work from anywhere 24/7.”
She’s not the only one who suggests using a program that helps to organize your contact list. For the owner Joshua Jarvis, a good CRM is a must and something that most real estate agents do not consider. “The most important technology that may not be considered common-sense is an online database. If it’s a CRM that is advanced or just Outlook it’s huge. Your database is your company.”
If you’re not already convinced, being successful in real estate comes down to the connections you establish, regardless of whether or not you’ve got an office space in real life. If you decide to employ employees, ensure that they’re in line with your ideals and brand before all else. In the end, you do not want to ruin the good reputation you’ve invested all of your time creating.
Step 7: Marketing and Launch
Ask any real estate professional about how they promote their business, and you’ll see they’ll tell you that “SEO” and “a good web presence” are frequent answers. Beyond the necessary networking, you’ll require to maintain an online presence in the real estate industry is crucial to your success.
In the end, we return to how important it is personal connections with others. Being successful in business is all about meeting people regardless of where they are. However, it’s equally crucial to have an online presence to ensure that customers are able to find you!
Tim Frie says, “A lot of real estate marketing is based on forming relationships, and you can do that most efficiently by blending an online strategy with a traditional outreach and connection strategy.”
If there aren’t customers The best starting point is to connect with the people you already know. “Tell them about what you’re doing,” Tim suggests. “Ask whether they know anyone whom you can add worth to. If you’re a newbie and just making your way through the process, you should place yourself in situations that will allow you to build new relationships and meet new people and offer value by being you. If people start liking you, they’ll associate your name to real property’ when or someone else they know would like to purchase or sell a home.”
