Blog Posted by Karen Moore, ReStore Materials Acquisitions Manager
So, they’re calling the housing market in Los Angeles a
“mini-bubble.”
Housing prices are going
through the roof again. According to
Redfin,
over 90% of the houses for sale are generating multiple offers and the majority
of them are getting asking price or more.
What’s driving the frenzy? Low inventory, low interest rates and
all-cash offers from investors are driving up the prices.
Seems like this would be an awesome time to be a realtor,
right? Well, maybe. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that higher prices
equal higher commissions. But the competition can be fierce. Good luck getting a homeowner to list
with you versus your competition.
Personally, it’s rare that a week goes by that we don’t find
some postcard or flyer from a local realtor trying to prove that they are THE
specialist in our neighborhood… and we should list with them if we ever want to
sell our home.
As a realtor, how do you set yourself apart from the rest?
Build relationships. I know, sounds like a tip from a Tony Robbins course. But
it’s true. Everyone wants to do business with people they know, like and
respect. Establishing a common
interest or goal and providing a value service are two great ways to build
relationships (I believe realtors call it “farming for leads”.)
Instead of sending out the typical post card that shows all
of the houses you’ve sold in the past 30 days, try providing a valuable service
to those who may be moving in the future.
Help them get rid of all of that STUFF that they’ve accumulated over the
years.
Be the one who tells them about
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, a home-improvement thrift store in their area that will take their
household items off their hands.
Not only will the ReStore pick-up those items, but it is a terrific tax
deduction for the donor (or shall I say, “
YOUR
FUTURE CLIENT!”) You may even want to be the main point of contact to help
them schedule a pick-up with us.
And
as we are nearing the end of the year, everyone is looking for that last minute
tax-write off.
To learn how you can partner with your local Habitat
ReStore to help build your business,
email me or visit the Los Angeles ReStores
online. To
schedule a donation pick-up, please call 424-246-3637. If you are outside the
LA metro area, you can find the nearest ReStore by zip code
here.
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Labels: affordable housing, deconstruction, donate to habitat for humanity, green building, Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA, los angeles, materials, realtors, recycle, ReStore, reuse