Being the best local real estate expert involves building a strong social network and reputation in the community that you’re serving. Knowing how to stand out as a community leader will put you ahead of the curve, so make sure that you’re following these five tips to enhance your opportunities for success.
1. Attend Meetings And Events
Frequenting government meetings is one of the best ways to learn about your local community. This not only includes things like chamber of commerce events, but also anything having to do with infrastructure and community development. Also, be sure to attend local school board meetings and connect with parents and teachers. Attending festivals, parades, and celebrations are also great places to connect locally, so be proactive in your networking efforts.
2. Build Local Connections
Stop by local businesses to see what they’re about and introduce yourself to the staff and management, if it seems appropriate. Friends and family can also be great resources, so be sure to tell everyone about your real estate endeavors. There are plenty of school groups that can provide local networking opportunities, but make sure that you’re keeping an open mind to meeting anyone that can help you grow your network.
3. Maintain An Online Presence
In today’s hyper-connected world, the importance of keeping an online presence cannot be overstated. If you have a blog, make sure that you’re posting content constantly to remain relevant–if you don’t have a blog, set one up immediately. Stay up to date on social media by posting regularly, joining relevant groups, and maintaining a presence on appropriate message boards. The internet is also a great resource for researching competition to find out about the local community, but don’t underestimate the value of real-world connections.
4.Take Walks in the Neighborhood
Hit the pavement to really get to know the ins-and-outs of your local community. When strolling through the community, read everything you come across including permitting signs, event flyers, and anything else that has to do with the community. Talking to locals is not only another great way to learn about the community, but this may also yield valuable networking opportunities that might not otherwise be available. The fact is that getting out into the community will help you gain expertise that can’t come from government meetings and local events.
5. Enhance Your Reputation
There are many ways to stand out. It’s a good idea to stay ahead of the curve by focusing on continued education to make sure that you know as much as possible to meet the needs of your clients. You’ll also want to maintain a track record of success to show that you're focused on neighborhood and community enhancement. One of the best ways to do this is by valuing human relationships more than sales, so stay connected with your network even if there seems to be no immediate payoff. Going above and beyond will also help you stand out as a community leader, so be sure to seek out volunteer opportunities and always put people above profit.