Hello everyone,

in this current "buyer" market, where is the best place to find buyers to represent??

what strategies do you use?

thanks in advance,

Carvie

Have you told everyone that you know that you are selling real estate? Most of the deals I had my first year came from people I know.

The best bait is to have some good listings to draw them in.

I try to always have something for everyone, or at least one:

New House;

An Old House;

A Fixer-Upper;

One Apartment House;

One Operating Farm;

A Small parcel of Land;

A Large tract of Land;

One Christmas Tree Farm or a Maple Sugar Bush;

One Grocery Store or Gas Station;

maybe One Bed and Breakfast;

One Waterfront;

One Seasonal Cottage, or Hunting Camp;

Not too much of anything so that my listings aren't directly competing with one another; but enough to draw in Buyers to whom I can then sell somebody else's listings.

Buyers are the Fishes; Listings are always the vehicles, or "the Bait" we use to attracts them . . . . a means to an end.

Ultimately, we are the Fishers of Men and Women Buyers and listings are what draws them to us.

If you don't have any listings, ask other agents in your office if you can run theirs and start running them on Craigslist and other online ads. You will start generating leads immediately.

Check out the online lead generation thread.

Make a list of all your friends and family. Contact everyone on this list at least once a month. And get ready for the "I didn't know you sold real estate, we just wrote an offer on a nice house" comments.

The key to gaining quality buyers is quality listings. Buyers search for houses, not agents.

1) Networking, and referrals from family, friends, colleagues. This simply requires that you stay in regular communication with people. I attend every social event possible so I can broaden my social sphere. But don't be pushy.

2) Intensive online marketing. This can be most helpful if you have a market specialty--do you know everything about condos downtown? Retirement homes in the 'burbs? Do you have a targeted IDX program you can use to your advantage? I specialize in modern/architectural properties, and target my marketing to buyers accordingly. The folks who find me online and eventually contact me are usually very determined to hire me on as their agent.

3) Listings. Oddly, this is (to me) the least reliable means of finding buyers. I actually don't get too many direct leads from open houses, but I've spun a few random sign-callers into clients.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am a part time agent but now that my wife is home due to newborn twins we r missing her income and need to increase my txns. We now have 3 kids to put through college.

In the past, most of my leads have come through referrals. Need to step it up a notch.

Thanks again, this is a great site w/lots of helpful folks.

Carvie

it really does depend on what kind of buyers you want..

low to mid end mostly..like entry level first time buyers?
craigslist, pay per click etc..

mid to higher range,..
probably gonna need a presence of zillow, trulia etc..

or looking to build your own loyal higher end..
heres a tip nobody is doing..

target high end renters- paying 1000-3000 a month in rents..
who make over 100k
been renting for at least 1 year solid.
presence of a credit card preferred..
ages 24-44 years of age.
direct mail them every month..
pick like 500 to 1000 of them.
hit them every month..
with direct response offers..
10 best buys in the neighborhood
neighborhood foreclosure hotlist
market reports and market trends..
free reports..like 6 costly mistakes homebuyers make

drive them to a 24 hour 1-800 free recorded message
where they can just leave thier name number and address or email
address to get the free report.

another one is to the higher end clients..
who do they respect and trust,..who can make a introduction..
then joint venture with that person.

1. attorneys
2. cpa's
3. financial planners
4. divore attorneys
5. estate planners
find the local above people and direct mail them
every month..
but dont ask for referrals..
educate them on the local market the same...

by default within 3-6 months..
you will have established yourself as the go to guy...

Great suggestions Lindenmoe. I think I might try the high end renter thing.

thanks! I've got so many ideas for next year I'm very excited.

How do you obtain the names and addresses of the high end renters?

any mailing house..

but its better to use a direct source like

infousa.com..

but i just get it with my postcards..

from

prospectsplus.com

or

expresscopy.com

i just say i want to maill 500 of these postcards,..
and tell them exactly who i want to mail..
fork over my creditcard
done.
printed, shipped mailed..

500 cost about 250$
1000 cost about $400

best practices..
every mailer must have an offer..
educate them..give value
use a 1-800 number to call capture, track results and deliver info 24-7

more offers
Attn Area Renters

WARNING: Free Report Reveals The 6 Biggest Mistakes That Homebuyers are making in todays market that cost them, time , money and sleep at night. And How You can Avoid Them.

Call Now to get your free costly mistakes and how to avoid them

No Cost Or Obligation...
24 hour free recorded message 1-800

in small type
this Free Area Consumer Report brought to you by
your brokerage your name.

its about them..not you!