Thriving in real estate, whether you work within an agency, or independently requires you to acquire a number of skills, and we all know the real estate industry is driven by healthy competition. Although, being a real estate’s realtor can be very exciting because it comes with endless opportunities. You get to meet new people which make it interesting. However, without the right skills, it could end up as a really challenging career path.

There are a lot of things that contribute to someone being a great realtor, but effective communication is one of the most important skills to develop. The digital age has brought about the internet and social media platforms which have become new means of marketing real estate. Marketing your real estate on these social media platforms and websites requires consistent dishing of relevant and quality content. A realtor who lacks effective communication skills will find it difficult marketing to prospects via these platforms.

Effective communication in real estate goes beyond just saying a couple to things to convince a buyer. It extends to how you say what you say. Communication has a huge impact on the experiences clients have with you and first impressions go a very long way.

That’s why we want to share some of the top communications tips specific to the real estate industry that are sure to set you apart from the competition.

Top Real Estate Communication Tips

1.                 Be responsive & Listen actively

Both in career, business and life generally, everyone appreciates having a good listener around. While real estate agents should not be expected to communicate 24/7, many people look for immediate responses, and if you promptly and thoroughly answer a potential client’s questions, you can quickly become their go-to resource for all things real-estate.

If you take a day off each week, be sure to let your clients know when you’ll be unavailable. It is essential to focus and listen when your client is trying to relay their desires or wants to you. In some way, it helps them feel like you are connected and understand their feelings. It also goes beyond just listening to reply, rather, listen to absorb and understand the information. This helps show genuine interest, build trust and create a great impression. Clients want to feel that they’re being heard and comfortable sharing their concerns.

 

2.                 Keep it simple

People are often busy and distracted, and as a realtor, the urge to always want to explain yourself in details will definitely be there. However, as they say, less is more. This does not translates to you not saying anything during the sales or buying process. Howbeit, do not lose your clients attention by talking too much.

It is always safer to keep your conversations short, simple and concise. When leaving phone messages or sending emails, keep them concise to avoid confusion. Don’t use terms your clients are not familiar with. You might be conversant with real estate terms as you use them day in, day out. That said, don’t sacrifice clarity for brevity.

3.                 Share Stories, Not Just Figures

To be a successful real estate agent, you need to learn the art of reaching your clients’ emotions, and people respond most favorably to stories, which move you from being a random realtor to being a friend. Not only are stories a memorable way to share information, it also creates an amount of connection and believe you can be trusted.

Even if the person you’re talking to hasn’t heard of you, you can reassure them with social proof: do you have well-known clients, expert testimonials, great references? All this creates a halo effect that can get you a more receptive audience. It makes it easier to share the experience and knowledge to guide them through that same experience.

4.                 Ask questions

Real estate agents are naturally expected to do most of the work. From listening, convincing, negotiating and asking questions as well. This helps you have access to more information which will be useful throughout the sales process.

Also, find out, early on, how your client likes to connect and communicate.

Not everyone is comfortable talking business over the phone or via an email. This is why is it the real estate agent’s responsibility to determine which is the preferred means of communication. Asking honest questions shows genuine interest, competence, and dedication towards getting your client the very best. It also gives them the feeling that their opinions and preferences count. 

5.                 Follow Up & Keep It Personal

Part of great customer service is keeping in touch. If you make it a habit of listening more than you speak, the chances are good that you’ll quickly learn a lot about your leads. Sending out relevant items of value such as articles, blog posts, or tips and tricks. It might also mean sending cards on birthdays or purchase anniversaries or dropping by with small gifts. 

As we mentioned, ensure your follow ups aren’t pushy is important, and one of the best ways to do that is by using a casual, noninvasive communication medium. When you stay top-of-mind, clients will be more likely to call you the next time they make a real estate transaction and more likely to refer you to people they know.

6.                 Pay attention to your body language.

You might feel nervous when you meet new people but try to appear confident and welcoming. Stand straight, look interested, and avoid crossing your arms in front of your body. Try to smile and enjoy your conversations. You never know what interesting people you’ll meet.

More times than you can tell, your bad body language could kill your deal from the very beginning. It is easy to master the skill called ‘’good body language’’. It all boils down to not breaking essential rules that come with it. In the middle of a negotiation process, try not to look nervous, ignore whatever itch or scratch that might distract you.

In the art of negotiating, improving your communication skills will take some time. The journey to effective communication isn’t always an easy task; however, consistency helps you become successful at it. Asides effective communication, there are other skills and traits that can help launch you into a successful real estate career.