Ben Farmer School of Real Estate

On the Fence About Taking the Pre-Licensing Course Online? Here are 7 Things You May Not Know

9/9/2021

Our staff often hear from aspiring agents ready to launch careers in the robust Georgia real estate market. But they are debating whether to complete the pre-licensing course online. They usually ask us how effective the online class is, how long it takes, and what it’s like.

We’re delighted to help by offering expert insight gained from long-standing experience providing real estate education. And we describe what they can expect when taking the class through the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate.

That got us thinking it would be helpful to share this info with others who wonder the same things.

So, here goes:

1 – You won't sacrifice the quality of your pre-licensing education.

Think about it this way: It's the delivery format that differs from classroom courses, not the content quality. You'll get the flexibility to study at your own speed, whenever you like, and even on the go. And you'll also have the benefit of learning timely material that more than meets the state's requirement for pre-licensing education. Our online course is 100-percent state-approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

2 – The content helps you pass the exam.
At the end of the day, if you don't pass the exam, you won't get your real estate license. And you must have gained the relevant knowledge to succeed on the test. You can gauge the effectiveness of a pre-licensing course by how well its students do on the exam. And we're exceptionally proud to say that our students rank among those in Georgia with an above average pass rate.

3 – The course format makes it easy to learn.
It can really be helpful to see and hear information as well as read it. And this course delivers the content in a format that keeps you engaged. There's a mix of text and videos. Also, the material is presented in bite-size chunks, which makes it easier to digest and remember. There are short paragraphs and then multiple choice questions throughout the course.

4 – The intuitive delivery platform helps with memorization and recall.
A big part of studying to become a real estate agent involves memorizing material, especially key vocabulary words. You get help there from the learning platform, which keeps track of areas you need to work on and prompts you through strategic repetition. For example, if you miss questions in a quiz, that information is automatically repeated later in a different way to help you retain it. We like to say " It kind of drills it in your head what you need to know."

5 - Supplemental materials enhance course effectiveness.
In addition to the 75-hour course, you can choose among packages enhanced with extra study materials. Some exercises illustrate real-life scenarios. An additional math program helps you master real estate calculations that you'll see on the exam. Premium exam prep tools get you more than ready for the test. And a textbook is a bonus resource that reinforces learning.

6 – You have access to a strong support system.
You won't have to fend for yourself should questions or issues arise. You'll have instructor support on the course content. Unlimited support is available for any technical issues. And of course, our school is a big part of your support system. We couple exceptional customer service with our in-depth real estate knowledge and are readily available online and by phone.

7 – You can finish the course in relatively short order.
Our students tell us that the sweet spot for completing the course and having a quality learning experience is 10-12 weeks. That's long enough to study at a manageable pace, yet short enough that the material is still fresh in your mind. But if you can't finish in that time frame, no worries. You have six months to complete the course if you need it.

Have other questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Ready to enroll? It’s quick and easy to do so. And we would love to welcome you as a student and be a part of preparing you for your new career. And right now is an excellent time to launch it!

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5 Best Practices for Creating a 3D Virtual Home Tour

7/5/2021

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Virtual property tours were already relatively popular — particularly with high-end homes — before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Then, restrictions and social distancing practices lingered longer than anyone expected and pumped up the demand for virtual home tours.

That demand is still strong even as restrictions are being lifted. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that virtual tours will be a mainstay for most real estate listings from now on. So, chances are you have already taken the leap into interactive 3D virtual tours, or you’ve picked the tech tools you’ll use and are ready to get started.

So, how can you make your DIY 3D virtual home tours stand out? Here are five things you can do:

1. Don’t Wing It, Plan It
Make a game plan in advance of the day you intend to take the photos. Do a walkthrough and decide which rooms you’ll include, and plan your shots for each one. Identify where you’ll place the camera to capture the main aspects and highlight the best features. Many times that will be the center of the room. But that’s not always the case. The main thing is to take your time and figure out what perspective best duplicates the in-person experience. As you map things out, list out the order of the shots, camera position for each room, and features to showcase.

2. Set the Stage But Don’t Overdo
Just as you would for an in-person showing, make sure the home looks its best. But take care not to “over stage.” You want to capture an inviting snapshot in time that helps buyers picture themselves living there. But, it need not be a picture-perfect tableau. So, resist the urge to set a scene worthy of a magazine photoshoot. Instead, ensure that the sellers cover the basics — depersonalizing, clearing clutter, and getting everything spotless. Once that’s done, judiciously place a few items that will enhance appeal — seasonal flowers, plush bath towels, and luxurious bed linens, for instance.

3. Have Consistent Lighting
Proper lighting is essential to creating a camera-ready atmosphere. And it’s critical when you’re shooting multiple panoramic images that make up a virtual tour. If the lighting isn’t consistent from room to room, the tour will lack continuity. All areas should be well-lit with warm light. Taking photos in daylight will help. Also, turn on all lights, raise shades, open interior doors, and adjust blinds or curtains to get the correct lighting. Go the extra step to ensure that all lights in the home use the same color light and that bulbs in recessed lights or multi-light fixtures match.

4. Be Mindful of Line of Sight
As well as showing views for each room, your virtual tour should also give home shoppers a feel for how each area flows into the next. This requires you to “connect the dots” with your panoramas. In other words, you should have a direct line of sight from space to space. When you position the camera, the view should be an unobstructed path to the next spot you’ll shoot an image from (ideally no more than 8-10 feet from where you are). This makes the tour easier to navigate. Examples of connecting features are hallways, stairs, and doors.

5. Capture Images From the Outside In
Don’t miss the opportunity to highlight the exterior spaces of the home in addition to the interior. Start outside the front door and move through the house as you would in person. Take shots of any outdoor areas, like backyard patios and pools, that add to the home’s curb appeal. Inside, take as many images as you need to capture the space adequately. For large rooms or open layouts, that may mean shooting more than one panorama for a given room. Take photos from different angles as needed, and make sure you capture images that call out unique features.

Yes, it looks like virtual home tours are here to stay. And, we hope that these tips will help you create immersive, effective interactive 3D tours. We pride ourselves on providing practical information in our blog that will keep you informed on real-estate-related matters whether you’re looking to get into the profession, just getting started, or are an old-hand in the business.

So, bookmark our blog, and visit often. And we appreciate your adding our online course catalog to your favorites too.

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Setting and Achieving Goals: Tips for Doing It Well

4/29/2021

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Setting and Achieving Goals: Tips for Doing It Well

As a real estate agent — an entrepreneur — goal setting is a critical part of your business planning. If you are looking to grow your business, you’ll need to clearly define goals and a plan of attack to move the needle on your success.

And while the process of setting and reaching goals isn’t rocket science, it is easier said than done. Here are some simple yet powerful tips to help you figure out what you want to achieve and how.

Evaluate Where You Are
Many people jump right in with brainstorming and writing goals. But consider this: It’s helpful to reflect on your past and present circumstances before thinking about what’s ahead.

Ask yourself:
● What were your wins, experiences, and lessons learned over the prior year?
● What factors helped you to reach goals, and how can you harness those in the future? What kept you from achieving things you set out to do, and how can you minimize those hurdles?
● What are your current strengths and areas where you can improve? Also, what is the current environment like, and what resources do you have at your disposal?

Look At the Forest AND the Trees
Once your self-reflection is complete, you’ll have more clarity on the big picture and the details.
● If you already have a vision, revisit it to see if it still holds true for what you want to achieve.
● If you don’t have a clear image of your future success, take time to envision where you want your business to be in three to five years so that you can create a roadmap to get there.
● When your vision is set, it’s time to develop an action plan. Set milestones — markers of your progress — and plot them on a timeline that leads to the result you seek.
● Break the milestones down further into action steps that will get you to these checkpoints.

Remember, SMART is Good and Less is More
Just as there are things you should do in setting goals, there are a couple of missteps to avoid:

Don’t go overboard on the number of goals you set. Doing so can dilute your focus.
Don’t make your goals exceptionally hard to achieve because they are too ambitious, ambiguous, or poorly aligned with your broader objectives.

Use the SMART framework:
●      Be specific in wording and ensure your goals are measurable. Answer the question, “How will I know when it’s accomplished?”
●      Make your goals a stretch, too, as you should always aim to improve. But keep them attainable. Stay rooted in reality to increase your chances for success.
●      Pick goals that matter to you and are relevant to your business and your big picture. And keep yourself on track by making your goals time-bound. Include timeframes and deadlines.
●      Here’s an example: Within one month, I will complete the online pre-licensing course offered by the
Ben Farmer School of Real Estate so that I am eligible to take the Georgia real estate salesperson exam.

Be Accountable to Yourself and Others
Once you’ve written down your goals and committed to an action plan, you’ve started the journey to your vision. But sticking to it is the hard part. That’s where accountability comes into play.

So, what does an accountability structure look like?
●      Share your goals with three-five supportive people to create an answerable system that helps you stay on track.
●      Choose an accountability buddy. This person could be a friend, colleague, or mentor. Their role is to encourage and guide you — and call you out when you are not on top of things.
●      Integrate your goals into your digital life. Pick a goal-tracking app to help you stay organized.

Adapt and Carry On
As you carry out your action plan, analyze what’s working and what’s not. And keep in mind that you may need to modify your plan the way.

In the words of Zig Ziglar:
“When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”
●      Be flexible in your approach so that you can be responsive to unexpected opportunities.
●      Regularly review your to-do list and longer-term plan and modify them as priorities change.
●      Adjust your mindset as needed for new situations. Stay motivated and, most importantly, stay the course — whether it is the original one, Plan B, or Plan C.

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Six Success Habits You Ought to Adopt as an Agent

4/2/2021

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It is a well-known fact that some agents become wildly successful in the real estate business and others not so much. Why might that be?

While there is no foolproof formula for success, hard work and in-depth expertise play a part for sure. So do skill sets like negotiation and communication and attributes like persistence, resourcefulness, and drive – to name just a few.

But there is also something else that plays a role – the adoption of good habits.

These six habits are ones that agents at the top of their game have in common and ones that can help you kickstart and sustain your success.

#1 Look at the bright side.
It may sound cliché, but positive thinking can play a more significant role than you think in helping you thrive as an agent. A ton of research says that habitually looking at the bright side can boost your confidence, attitude, and problem-solving skills. And guess what? That leads to higher levels of energy, motivation, and productivity – and ultimately greater success.
ways to do this: Monitor your self-talk and get good at stopping negative thoughts in their tracks. Look for lessons to learn when missteps and setbacks occur. Relish victories, no matter how small. And surround yourself with people who have optimistic outlooks.

#2 Make time for planning.
Take a close look at the practices of top-producing agents, and you will see that planning is an ingrained habit. They don’t leave success to chance. Instead, they plan for it. They determine what success looks like for them and then create a playbook to attain it.
ways to do this: Start with the big picture and then set daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals. Make sure they are SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. Once you set your goals, commit to follow through and monitor your progress to stay on track.

#3 Soak up knowledge.
It’s hard to overstate how crucial it is to stay informed and constantly be honing your craft as an agent. Your brand will be better for it, and your chances of success significantly increased.
ways to do this: Stay tuned to news sources to keep up with developments and trends. Follow podcasts and blogs (like ours) that educate and inform. And up your expertise through training, networking, and results-oriented courses like those the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate offers. Our broad selection of online classes makes it easy for you to take what you want on your schedule.

#4 Be consistent.
From attitude to marketing efforts, consistency is key to maximizing your business success. Here is how. When you are consistent in approach and actions, you build a trustworthy reputation. That makes it easier to attract prospects and establish client relationships. And when you have a solid business routine and stick to it, you are sowing seeds for a steady stream of future success.
ways to do this: Commit to being (more) consistent. Say it out loud and write it down. Make to-do lists, time block tasks, and hold yourself accountable. An accountability partner and productivity apps can help with all of that. Also, put systems in place to support consistency. CRM software, for example, lets you manage marketing, leads, and customer interactions systematically.

#5 Go the extra mile.
It’s not uncommon for agents to go above and beyond now and again to close a deal. However, top-performing agents make going the extra mile a business habit. The result: Clients are not just satisfied with their buyer or seller experience. They are so elated that they will make referrals without hesitation and happily become repeat clients themselves.
ways to do this: Be proactive with routine check-ins and deliver real-time updates. Hit deadlines early and offer hands-on help wherever it’s needed, even if it’s not a part of the job. Handle issues before your client even finds out so the process is as stress free as it can be. And be thoughtful. Little things like a handwritten thank-you note will go a long way.

#6 Clock some me time.
Becoming a successful real estate agent takes hard work and long hours. But, if you want to sustain high energy and productivity levels and avoid burnout, you need to have a good work-life balance.
ways to do this: Set a work schedule and do your best to stick to it. Don’t forget to include breaks. Carve out time to exercise, meditate, read, or engage in other creative outlets or social activities. Pick a daily time to go tech-free and let others know when you will be offline. Avoid being overly optimistic in your scheduling so that your calendar has free time. And take time off regularly, including a week-long vacation, to fully unplug and recharge.

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5 Strategies for Thriving as an Agent Amid COVID-19

1/4/2021

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When the global pandemic took hold in early 2020, the customary way of doing real estate business
wasn’t an option anymore. And so, agents had to pivot almost overnight to adapt to the changes.
At first, the hope was that this was temporary. But it has since become apparent that this “new
normal” will stick around for a while. And if you are – or plan to become – an agent, you may be
wondering what you can do to thrive in this current reality and beyond.
Below, we share our expert take on ways to navigate being an agent in the wake of COVID-19.

Put service before sales

Yes, real estate is a sales business. That’s a given. And in challenging times, you may instinctively focus on sales. But real estate is a service business too. And that fact matters now more than ever.
Why is that? Recent national surveys show that, during the pandemic, buyers and sellers are relying on real estate agents more than before – and they are prioritizing trusted relationships. And here is what they say they value most: an agent’s guidance. So, to help set yourself up for optimal success, focus on service before sales, and reflect that mindset in your messaging and marketing.

Tie reassurance into

your marketing efforts.

With so much uncertainty swirling around, buyers and sellers are understandably nervous. They may have no idea what to expect next in the market or how to navigate the ongoing changes. You can help reassure them through your marketing communications.
How so? Inform and educate. Nurture a presence on multiple channels – email, social media, blog, and so on. Share pertinent information about the pandemic, the community, and the market. Also, let all your contacts know you are thinking of them during this trying time and are there to help. You can ease concerns and earn goodwill at the same time.

Stay informed

This one may be a no-brainer, but a reminder to stay on top of factors that affect your business is worthy of a mention. New information is emerging daily. Pandemic-related mandates and industry rules continue to change. Client attitudes have shifted and so have their preferences and needs.
All of this translates into the need for an even more concerted intelligence-gathering process that informs your business strategy and provides useful insights to help you better serve your clients.

Fully embrace

technology

If there is one thing that we know about the pandemic’s impact on the industry, it’s that technology use has accelerated. From agents working remotely to video calls, virtual tours, and electronic closings becoming standard practice, the buying and selling process has gone digital. Based on consumer response, there is likely no going back to just the old way of doing things.
So, now is the time to revisit the list of must-have tech tools and decide if you would benefit from investing in additional technology. Specialty tools like video messaging software, CRM, virtual staging services, and 3D virtual tours are just a few of myriad considerations.

Upgrade your expertise

Enhancing your capabilities is another way to stay ahead of today’s challenges. And thanks to an abundance of online opportunities, you can sharpen current knowledge or learn something new (or both) in the midst of ongoing restrictions.
For example, you can attend online webinars or take CE courses if you need continuing education hours. Or consider pursuing a certification or a broker’s license. We offer the broker pre-licensing course online, and our blog “Considering Making the Move From Agent to Broker?” provides a wealth of info on upgrading your license. We also offer an array of online CE courses covering knowledge areas that are critical to your success. Enroll today to continue growing your expertise.

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Considering Making the Move From Agent to Broker?

11/20/2020

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Whether you have been a real estate agent for a short or long time, the idea of getting a broker’s license has probably crossed your mind.

Perhaps it’s the reason you got into the business in the first place. Or maybe the notion emerged over time as a natural next step in your career. Either way, upgrading your license is a move that can open new doors of opportunity.

It’s a big step, though. So, as you consider it, here are some things to know and keep in mind.

Benefits and challenges like these come with the role:

A broker’s license gives you built-in bragging rights.
You may not have thought about it in quite this way. But the broker title commands a high degree of automatic respect as people know that earning it requires expertise well beyond the agent level and a certain amount of experience. It shows commitment to your career and supports your standing as an industry expert. And you can leverage that to up your marketability.

You get more say-so over your career.
One of the biggest draws to becoming a broker, of course, is the autonomy you gain. You get to decide what type of broker you will be. Open your own firm if you like and hire a team of agents. Or be a sole proprietor and operate a firm of one.

But don’t forget about other options that you have too. You can be a managing broker and oversee operations of an existing firm or branch office. Or work as an associate broker – a great next step if you like sales but want broker status and more leverage to negotiate a higher commission.

You can earn more, but running an office costs more.
As you are sure to agree, keeping all (or more) of your commission (plus a portion of your agents’ commission) is a top benefit of being a broker. But if you are going out on your own, plan to take a long, hard look at profit potential, not just earning potential. You will be paying for most everything. And you may need to cover those expenses while your business gets off the ground.

As the boss, the buck stops with you.
With autonomy comes greater responsibility. As well as more administrative/managerial duties, you will also have more legal obligations. Even if you go solo, you are financially and legally responsible for your transactions. If you sponsor agents, you are legally accountable for their actions too. It is up to you to ensure they comply with all real estate laws, and you can be liable if they don’t.

You must meet the state’s eligibility and educational requirements.
To be licensed as a broker in the state of Georgia, you must:

Be at least 21 years old (you can take the exam at age 20).
Be a high school graduate or have an equivalent certificate.
Pass a background check (it’s wise to get your background clearance early on).
Have been licensed on active status for a minimum of three of the prior five years.

You are also required to do pre-licensing education. Before you can take the broker exam, you have to meet the educational requirement. One way to do that is to complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. A key thing to remember here is that choosing the right school is key to your success.

As you compare schools, we invite you to consider the long-standing track record of the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate, as well as our exceptional student support, high-quality course content, and convenient class formats. All these factors can set you up for success, plus our broker pre-licensing course is available online to start today. We would be delighted to welcome you to the class.

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Do’s and Don’ts for Better Work-From-Home Video Calls

9/29/2020

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If you are like most real estate professionals, video meetings have become an indispensable part of your everyday work during COVID-19. And if you are a video call newbie, one thing has no doubt become abundantly clear: While it’s not rocket science, video conferencing does come with its own set of nuances and challenges.
There are tried-and-true things you can do, though, to pull off polished video calls. As a well- established real estate school that has taught some of the area’s top agents, we hear how they elevate the video call experience. And we are pleased to share helpful dos and don’t’s with you.

DO set physical boundaries.
When working from home, you tend to tune out background noise and family, roommates, or pets milling around. But all these can distract from video calls. So, make privacy a priority. Ideally, use a room where you can shut (and lock) the door. Also, post a do-not-disturb sign to signal that you are on a call. If you don’t have a room to yourself, pick the quietest spot in your home and arrange for pets and people to be out of the picture.

DO stage your background.
Consider the visuals that will appear in the camera frame as well, keeping in mind that a busy backdrop can take the focus away from you. Choose a background that is plain but not too nondescript – a neutral gallery wall or a tidy bookcase for instance. If you would rather not show what is behind you, blur your background or use a virtual one if your software has that option.

DO present yourself in the best light, literally.
To be perceived as prepared and professional, you must get the lighting right. Using tricks of the trade can help. Face the primary light source to avoid being cast in silhouette. Make use of natural light whenever you can. Ensure that artificial light is soft and directional. And use the right amount of light. Too little or too much, and your image will be hard to see or all washed out.

DON’T skimp on video conferencing gear.
You can likely get by with your laptop’s webcam but if it’s a basic one, consider upgrading to a higher quality standalone model. In addition to HD resolution, other features you can expect to find include light correction, advanced autofocus, and stereo microphone. Also, accessories like a tripod or laptop stand can improve your on-screen look by allowing you to better position your webcam.

DON’T neglect to check your tech beforehand.
Even with the best equipment, technical issues are all too common. And you can lose professional points if you start late because you had to do a last-minute fix or if there is a glitch during the call.
Don’t assume you are good to go. Proactively prevent problems with a pre-call test to check your audio, video, and internet connection, and to install any computer or video software updates.

DO reduce the competition for resources.
Some of the most common problems during video calls (freezing video, choppy audio) are due to competition for bandwidth or CPU power. You can avoid disruptions like these by closing unneeded applications. Also, make sure that your network is not stretched thin at call time. Ask the people you live with to refrain from internet activities that use big chunks of bandwidth.

DON’T forget that your body language speaks volumes.
Remember that a video call is about more than what you say. You send nonverbal cues too. Sit up straight to project energy and engagement. Maintain eye contact by looking into the camera. Also keep a friendly facial expression and sit back from the camera so that you’re not just a talking head. Uncross your arms and manage hand gestures. And keep nervous behaviors in check.

DON’T worry about being on camera – just be yourself!
Experts say it is your authenticity that resonates most in video conferencing. So, while being mindful about being professional, let your personality shine through. You will come across as less awkward and can genuinely connect with those on the other side of the webcam.

A closing reminder: As the pandemic continues to reshape the real estate business, we wanted to say that we are here to help. From offering online licensing and continuing education courses to our informative blog, the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate remains dedicated to helping you realize your real estate goals. We are all in this together.

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5 Reasons to Get Your Real Estate License Now

8/27/2020

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Did you press the pause button on getting a salesperson license because of the uncertainty created by COVID-19? Are you still thinking of waiting it out to see what the future will bring? As you debate whether to go for it or to continue to hold off, consider these five reasons why now can be an opportune time to become a real estate agent.

Before the coronavirus hit, many buyers and sellers were comfortable with the process and, for the most part, knew what to expect. Now that the pandemic has fundamentally shifted how real estate business is done, that has changed. Unsure of what’s different in the new normal, people have more questions and concerns than in the past. And real estate professionals will be in even higher demand to guide them through that.

Like many people, you are likely staying home more as social distancing continues. And so, you have more time on your hands than usual. Taking the 75-hour sales pre-license course is a great use of that time. Keep in mind that we make it easy for you to do that at the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate. Our Silver and Platinum online course packages have everything you need to fulfill Georgia’s education requirement. And you can do so in the comfort (and safety) of your own home.

While real estate is a competitive business in general, the competition varies based on what’s happening in the industry. In environments like now, for instance, when it’s difficult to predict what things might look like in the coming months or further down the road, the agent dropout rate rises. Some put their real estate career on hold. Others call it quits. This reduces the competition and presents opportunity for those who enter the business and rise to the challenge.

You will have to learn the ropes of the business no matter what market conditions are when you become an agent. When you do so in a shifting environment, though, you hone/gain skills that better position you to successfully handle whatever comes your way in the future. Rather than preparing for ambiguity and adversity, you are working through both at the start of your career. So, when the next big change or downturn comes along, you can call on the skill set to handle it.

It’s a fact that the housing market is not what it was a short time ago. Nonetheless, it continues to weather the effects of the pandemic. Buyers are still looking. Deals are still closing. Mortgage rates are at near all-time lows too, and that’s a motivator for purchasers to buy sooner rather than later. Then too, with remote work becoming a long-term trend, there will likely be more prospects looking to move to meet work-from-home needs. All of this is business waiting to be had.

Final Thoughts: The sooner you take steps to get your license, the sooner you can launch your career as a real estate agent. So, ask yourself if you’re ready to be at the forefront of a changing market. If the answer is yes, let the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate help you complete your pre-license education as planned. Our online class is available today, and enrollment is just a click away.

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Working From Home During COVID-19? Practical Tips for Staying Productive

6/5/2020

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As a real estate professional, you are likely no stranger to working at home some of the time. But in the wake of COVID-19, the work-from-home model is not business as usual. In what is very much a personal business, you now find yourself having to conduct almost every aspect of your work from home. And on top of that, there is no end date in sight. In this new reality, keeping productivity up day in and day out can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that you stay productive and competitive. Read on for helpful tips.

Even though you have the freedom to work in PJs all day, don’t. The simple act of getting dressed can put you in a productive mindset. You don’t have to put on business professional attire unless you want to or need to dress the part for a video call. Go for a casual, comfortable outfit if that works better for you. The key is to feel presentable. When you do, your mind shifts into work mode.

Given, when you work from home, you have greater flexibility. And while you may be accustomed to a flexible schedule as an agent and consider it a perk, resist the urge to slack up too much when it comes to daily structure. Reinvent your routine for the new norm, and stick to it to help set the tone for the day and keep you focused and on track.

Even with a routine, it’s unrealistic to think that you won’t indulge in activities that compromise your productivity even if your workspace is distraction-free. So, rather than setting expectations you can’t meet, schedule time on your calendar to surf the web, check personal messages, do housework, watch TV, and the like. This helps you to stay focused during the rest of your day

Another good way to stay on task is to set goals and priorities and then use them to chart your progress. Make a daily to-do list and have weekly milestones. As you might expect, there are apps for that. Of course, you can always go old-school if you like and use pen and paper to make your list. Or write your goals on a sticky note and post it where you will see it every day.

Staying accountable to your goals increases your productivity, and you can hold yourself to task with commitment and an honest review of your performance. Sometimes it helps, though, to call in reinforcements. Whether you partner with one person or a group, knowing you have someone that you’ll be checking in (and celebrating successes) with can give you the extra push to follow through.

A surefire way to enhance your productivity is to boost your knowledge. Take advantage of virtual opportunities like real estate events, webinars, podcasts, and blogs. Also, consider taking an online class or two. For industry courses, we invite you to browse the comprehensive line of continuing education and broker pre-licensing courses offered by the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate.

To get better organized and increase efficiency, take full advantage of technology. The good news here is that tech for the real estate industry was ahead of the curve before COVID-19. So smartly use tech tools for communications, marketing, and business operations. Interested in specific tips? Check out our blog:
“Real Estate and COVID-19: Technology Tips to Weather the Storm.”

Also, thanks to technology, there are more ways than ever to stay in contact with others. It’s a given that you will check in on current and potential clients. But also make it a point to routinely keep in touch with fellow agents, team members, vendors, and others in your professional network. Doing so will keep you engaged and help you to keep business momentum going.

Whatever else you do to positively impact your productivity, make a conscious effort to avoid burnout from working all the time. As an agent, it’s common to feel pressure to always be available, whether there is a crisis or not. But keep this top of mind: a commitment to unplugging from work and taking time for self-care is good for you, your productivity, and ultimately your business

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Real Estate and COVID-19: Technology Tips to Weather the Storm

5/6/2020

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The impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold daily across the globe, and we must all adapt to the change it brings. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing are the new normal as the battle to defeat COVID-19 goes on. Yet while the changing landscape affects the way that work gets done, professionals in every industry are still moving forward thanks to technology.

The real estate industry already had a bit of a head start when it comes to tech before all of this began. And now, real estate professionals are leaning into those tech tools even more to conduct business. As that trend accelerates, consider the following tips on how you can adapt to the reality at hand and prepare for the “new” future.

With social distancing and limited face-to-face interactions, many people are spending more time on social media than usual. So, the time is right to spruce up your social media game. Polish up your profiles, set yourself up on platforms where you don’t have a presence, and make it a point to actively post. For the latter, do so with a service versus a sales mindset. Also, keep an eye out for questions on local social media channels where you can showcase your neighborhood and real estate expertise. This is the time to shine as a trusted advisor and expert.

Now is also a good time to expand your knowledge and further boost your reputation as a go-to resource. Even if you’ve already completed the required continuing education, there’s nothing that says you can’t get ahead and position yourself for even greater success. And if you need to catch up on CE hours or want to start your licensing course, carving out some of your downtime to do so is a good idea too. In all these instances, the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate is here to help. Our online courses can be taken anytime, anywhere. Just click to browse and sign up.

It’s during times like these that your online presence matters more than ever. To be sure that your website is doing its job in light of the COVID-19 environment, consider pivoting your messaging to be more empathetic, current, and relevant. Improve user engagement if needed through chat, video, or other tools. Post regularly to your blog (or start one) and include resources and tips to help clients and prospects better understand how to navigate these fluid times and how you can help. Use your website to promote content that you provide through other platforms too.

Another tech tool that is good to revisit about now is your customer relationship management software. Be sure to use it to its fullest extent. Let it do the heavy lifting when it comes to reaching out to current and past clients to see how they are doing, to open a dialogue, and to offer to help if they need anything (real estate related or not). If you have not gotten around to integrating your CRM with your website, social media, and the like, do that now. Not using a CRM? What better time than now to research options (also check out our blog “What’s CRM and How It Help Me?”).

Chances are, you already offer some type of digital home tour as part of your marketing efforts. If you’ve not made the leap to 3D or virtual reality tours, though, why not give them a look-see. Also, think about conducting a live-stream open house when it is a workable alternative to a traditional one. Take full advantage of video conferencing tools to stay connected with prospects and clients. And consider doing something fun like hosting virtual coffee hours to help people feel less isolated during the pandemic. The gesture is likely to be remembered well into the future.

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