Truth be told, no matter how much you already know, there is always something to learn about in the real estate profession. The good news is that there are any number of ways to gain knowledge that can help you stay ahead of the competition and take your business to the next level. Here are 10 suggestions for how you can boost your knowledge base whether you are new to the game or an old hand at the business.
1. Participate in industry events.
When you attend real estate conferences, workshops, trade shows and other like events, you get to learn directly from experts in the areas you’re looking to master. At the same time, you can network with competitors, find out more about them, and even build beneficial relationships with them.
When you attend real estate conferences, workshops, trade shows and other like events, you get to learn directly from experts in the areas you’re looking to master. At the same time, you can network with competitors, find out more about them, and even build beneficial relationships with them.
2. Keep up with the news.
Routinely catching the news keeps you alert to developments in the industry, and in your neck of the woods. So, you should make it a practice to tune into broadcast or online news reports, to skim local news sources, and to follow social media news channels that are focused on real estate.
Routinely catching the news keeps you alert to developments in the industry, and in your neck of the woods. So, you should make it a practice to tune into broadcast or online news reports, to skim local news sources, and to follow social media news channels that are focused on real estate.
3. Socialize with the locals.
Local market knowledge and neighborhood expertise rank right up there with industry know-how when it comes to expanding your real estate horizons. And one of the ways to learn more is to socialize with future clients at community affairs, sporting events, charity functions, and so on.
Local market knowledge and neighborhood expertise rank right up there with industry know-how when it comes to expanding your real estate horizons. And one of the ways to learn more is to socialize with future clients at community affairs, sporting events, charity functions, and so on.
4. Do some reading.
Reading can help you build knowledge a “page” at a time. Books are great resources, as are real estate newsletters, magazines and blogs. So, identify a short list of publications to subscribe to and blogs to follow (we hope that the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate blog is among them).
Reading can help you build knowledge a “page” at a time. Books are great resources, as are real estate newsletters, magazines and blogs. So, identify a short list of publications to subscribe to and blogs to follow (we hope that the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate blog is among them).
5. Give a listen.
To learn even when it’s hard to find time in a hectic schedule, create a podcast playlist. Then, listen when you are driving to appointments, running errands, or filling a lull while holding an open house. Mix it up with podcasts that offer actionable advice, sales strategies, tips and tricks, etcetera
To learn even when it’s hard to find time in a hectic schedule, create a podcast playlist. Then, listen when you are driving to appointments, running errands, or filling a lull while holding an open house. Mix it up with podcasts that offer actionable advice, sales strategies, tips and tricks, etcetera
6. Beef up your continuing education.
You have a built-in opportunity to broaden your knowledge as you complete continuing education. Take courses that stretch and challenge you and make time to do more than just meet the required minimum. The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate makes it easy by offering industry-leading online courses to help you boost your proficiencies whatever the stage of your career.
You have a built-in opportunity to broaden your knowledge as you complete continuing education. Take courses that stretch and challenge you and make time to do more than just meet the required minimum. The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate makes it easy by offering industry-leading online courses to help you boost your proficiencies whatever the stage of your career.
7. Pursue designations and/or certifications.
You can increase your knowledge, proficiencies and skill set through additional training associated with earning a real estate designation or certification. Popular real estate designations include GRI (Graduate of the Realtor Institute), ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), NAR’s Green Designation and e-PRO.
You can increase your knowledge, proficiencies and skill set through additional training associated with earning a real estate designation or certification. Popular real estate designations include GRI (Graduate of the Realtor Institute), ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), NAR’s Green Designation and e-PRO.
8. Join a professional association or two.
With professional memberships, you get access to networking opportunities where you can learn from others in the industry. Associations also keep their members well informed about goings-on and often offer resources like publications and research that can help you expand your expertise.
With professional memberships, you get access to networking opportunities where you can learn from others in the industry. Associations also keep their members well informed about goings-on and often offer resources like publications and research that can help you expand your expertise.
9. Find a mentor.
With a mentor in your corner, you get the benefit of learning from someone who has traveled the road before you. From best practices and sales advice to pitfalls and savvy shortcuts, a mentor can help you shorten your learning curve by readily filling the gaps of what you don’t know.
With a mentor in your corner, you get the benefit of learning from someone who has traveled the road before you. From best practices and sales advice to pitfalls and savvy shortcuts, a mentor can help you shorten your learning curve by readily filling the gaps of what you don’t know.
10. Connect with complementary businesses.
Other professionals in the real estate industry can help you broaden what you do know. Professionals like mortgage lenders, bankers, developers and contractors for example. So, make them a part of your network to strengthen knowledge in areas that complement your business.
Other professionals in the real estate industry can help you broaden what you do know. Professionals like mortgage lenders, bankers, developers and contractors for example. So, make them a part of your network to strengthen knowledge in areas that complement your business.
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