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Updated over 3 years ago,
How to start gaining traction
Hi all!
I've been interested in real estate for quite some time. Quick back story, I was a student at DePaul from 2017-2019 on a full scholarship. After switching majors times, I realized it wasn't for me, left, and started working as a leasing agent in early 2020. Shortly after the pandemic hit so my career took a total halt. I was and have been doing Uber Eats deliveries to keep myself afloat. I'm proud to say that in March of this year I got my Real Estate license and am officially a Realtor.
I was working at a small local brokerage from March to early May. Unfortunately, my experience here was not the greatest. There was no training whatsoever and such a lack of support. I mainly chose it because of the cheap monthly desk fees, but I realize now that you get what you pay for. I am currently at Coldwell Banker and am feeling like much more of a "professional." However, I just feel quite lost. I am trying to figure out how exactly to establish myself and get clients, but don't know where to go from here. So far, I've taken whatever listings I could from my fellow agents and am posting sales on Facebook and rentals on FB and apartments.com. Aside from that, I try posting on my Facebook page at least 2 times a week. Usually with just an article or some helpful real estate-related tips. I've done one open house so far for another agent, but unfortunately due to bad weather nobody was able to show up.
I just think I need to be doing more. I've been reading up on farming and want to get postcards sent out to around 200 houses to farm. I'm just not sure what exactly to include in these farm postcards. I'm wondering how else I should be advertising myself. Should I make an introductory video of myself and post that? Should I be promoting ads on Facebook with ad credits? I am an extroverted individual so I wouldn't shy away from any suggestions. I think my biggest concern as far as advertising goes is my budget. I left school so that I could dive all the way into Real Estate without other obligatory distractions; burning the ships, as Brandon Turner says. So while I am dedicating a lot of time to it, the time I have off is usually doing Uber, and between rent and my desk fees, I can only spread my income so thin.
Lastly, I hear a lot of talk about finding a niche, but is this something that comes from experience? I am wondering if targeting pre-foreclosures is a good idea for a new agent to try getting some listings.
I really hope this post doesn't come off as a needy or lazy one. I'm more than willing to do the work and grind, but I think some direction could really help me. Thanks all.