The Top 10 Ways to Get Real Estate Clients

It’s an exciting time to learn how to get clients in real estate. If you’ve set your sights on an industry that usually involves quick sales and high commissions, you’ve picked the right one.

That said, real estate can be a competitive business. If you’re just breaking into the industry, learning how to get real estate clients and building a network may take time.

Our advice: Don’t get discouraged!

Becoming an established real estate agent won’t happen overnight, but there are ways you can market yourself to build up your network.

If you want to know how to get clients in real estate, we have 10 tips to help you get your foot in the door.

How Do Sellers Pick a Real Estate Agent?

Guess what? Home buyers aren’t the only ones who are shopping around. Many home sellers searching for real estate agents may interview several before choosing the one with the best fit.

Obviously, sellers will want to know the market value of their house. Don’t assume that a seller will pick the agent that promises them top dollar for their home. Savvy sellers know there’s more to selling than setting a price.

Here are some things sellers will consider before hiring a real estate agent:

A proven track record.

A seller will want to know the success rate of an agent. How many similar homes in the area have they sold? How long did they take to sell them? What were they sold for versus the listing price?

A solid marketing plan.

Sellers will want to pick an agent who can offer professional photos, high-quality print materials, posting to MLS sites, and broker house tours.

Availability.

Sellers don’t want to be fighting for their agent’s attention. They want a responsive agent who will keep them updated with texts, calls, or emails.

Negotiation skills.

If a lowball offer rolls in, a seller will want to know how their agent will work on their behalf to get them the most money.

How to Get Real Estate Clients: 10 Tips to Try

Real estate can be a rewarding career. You’ll have the freedom to be your own boss and spend your days making people’s dreams come true!

But first, you’ll need to acquire some clients.

If you’re a real estate newbie, don’t make the mistake of waiting for clients to come to you. You’ll need to hustle to keep up with experienced agents in your area.

We’re here to help you get started with some of the best tips for how to get clients in real estate.

1. Reach out to friends and family.

Your friends and family probably know someone looking for an agent. Time to get your real estate business on their radar!

Mention your business to your barber, dentist, neighbors, and anyone else you know. One referral may lead to another. Your personal network is a great way to connect with potential clients, so don’t be hesitant to email your social contacts, letting them know you’re an agent actively looking for new clients.

2. Make the most of referrals.

Great referrals happen when your client has an excellent experience working with you. According to a recent survey, 83% of agents found new clients through real estate referrals.

Here’s a tip: Choose the right time to ask for a client referral.

The right time may be when an over-asking offer comes in or at the closing table. Celebrate with your client, and tell them how much you enjoyed working with them. Then ask if there’s someone they know who may need help with their home sale.

3. Build your network.

If you want to succeed in real estate, making connections is critical. Building your network won’t happen overnight, but eventually, you’ll make connections that lead to opportunities.

Start by attending events and choosing activities that interest you. Take a class, volunteer, or join a fitness community to meet new people. Join your chamber of commerce and start attending local business events. Build a rapport with listing agents, real estate attorneys, home stagers, and other professionals in the industry.

4. Surprise them with a pop-by.

Pop-bys are small gifts you deliver to former clients to show appreciation for their business.

Imagine “popping by” a past client’s house when you’re in their neighborhood and surprising them with a jar of honey and a note that reads, “Thank you for BEE-ing a wonderful client.”

Yes, pop-by gifts are cute and punny (and that’s why we love them). They’re a fun way to get people’s attention and win more referrals. Pop-bys are inexpensive gifts you can create on your own, or you can buy a handcrafted pop-by from The Pop By Company.

5. Create a professional website.

Your marketing efforts are working! Now, potential clients want to know more about your services. One of the first things they will do is research you online. A well-designed website can help establish your brand and set you apart from the competition. On the flip side, an agent without a website will miss out on new leads.

Your website is a place for you to educate potential clients and provide them with valuable resources. In addition to having a personal bio, a list of services, and glowing testimonials, don’t forget to mention that you have real estate agent insurance (if you do!)

Business insurance for real estate agents can help cover the risks associated with your business and protect you from damaging claims. In some states, you may be legally required to have insurance. In any case, proof of coverage can help your clients feel good about your business.

6. Take advantage of social media.

If you want to connect with more people, meet them online while they’re scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. These platforms are a cost-effective way to build your brand and market your services.

For new real estate agents, social media can help you cultivate relationships with potential clients and position yourself as a trusted resource. The key is providing value to your clients by keeping them informed of market trends, posting local listings, and engaging them with an informative blog (more on that later.)

7. Join an online neighborhood community.

Remember, a home is more than a house. You’re also selling a neighborhood and the town or city, so you need to have a good grasp of the area.

Join an online neighborhood community like Nextdoor and Facebook Neighborhoods so you can connect with people and build a local presence. Whether you’re sharing your knowledge about the local housing market or casting a vote for the most dog-friendly neighborhood, online communities are a great way to engage with others and position yourself as a local expert.

8. Start a YouTube channel.

YouTube has become a popular way for people to learn about goods and services, so you should know how to leverage this video platform to grow your real estate business. Think of your YouTube channel as a landing page. Your goal is to drive traffic to it so you can capture and generate leads.

As a listing agent, you can take viewers on a video tour of a listed home, or you can create highlights of a city or town.

9. Get blogging.

If you want to position yourself as an expert in real estate, you need a professional blog to back it up. Every time you post a blog, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge to potential clients.

As a new agent, you may not want to get blogged down with a lot of writing. We get it. Start with content that’s easy to create — like a brief blog with infographics. Here are 72 real estate blog ideas to help you get your creative juices flowing.

10. Try FSBO listings.

You may be able to win over a “for sale by owner” (FSBO) listing. Many FSBO sellers think they will make a bigger profit without a real estate agent. Offer the FSBO seller a free consultation, and then show them data that may convince them otherwise. Even if you don’t persuade them, you’ll be top of mind when they have a friend looking for an agent.

And Now For The Closing.

Now that you have our top-10 tips on how to get real estate clients, it’s time to sell houses. You have the tools you need to build your network, market your skills, and position yourself as a reputable agent. Go ahead and get that first sale. We’re rooting for you!