Challenging Market, Challenging Mind-Set

Another real estate blog by Brett Boettge

 

Are you having the year of your dreams? Buyers calling your mobile phone every hour saying, “Hi, I’m Mr. Buyer, I’d like to write an offer on 123 Spring Street! Let’s cut to the chase, I’m pre-approved with a 780 credit score and 19% debt to income. I don’t have a house to sell, I’d like to close in two weeks, and I’ve researched buyer representation and I would like you to be agent.” Probably not! The phone rings again.. “Hi, I’m Mr. Seller, would you list my house? We’ll increase your normal commission by 2% and I know times are tough so I’ll pay for marketing up front. Also, I need to move in 30 days so let’s make sure we are the lowest priced property in the neighborhood by 10%. Oh and by the way here is the name of someone I talked to at a PTA meeting that seemed very interested in our property.” Again probably not…..

 

The truth is the market is tough which is why we need to be doing more of what’s important than ever before. What am I talking about? LEAD GENERATION! Yes those dreaded words, it is so scary to have to talk to people I know. The bottom line is you need to talk to twice the people you did last year to have the same results you had last year. So do it, put your head down, and just DO IT!

 

I found myself kayaking the mighty Wisconsin River on Memorial Day, and had a blast coasting downstream without a care and moving at a great pace, hardly paddling a bit. It was time to turn around and what did I find? It was TOUGH! I was putting so much effort forth, and as I looked from the middle of the river to shore, it appeared as if I was standing still. I paddled harder, and harder, still when I looked at the shore in the distance I wasn’t getting anywhere. It didn’t make sense, I knew if I was paddling I would be moving but I was mentally beat. I stuck with the paddling and noticed that when I focused on things closer to me than shore, I could tell I was moving forward. That was the turning point for me, on the verge of letting the current flush me downstream, I focused on a series of short term goals to keep me focused and in less than 1 hour I was home.

 

Why is this story relevant? LEAD GENERATION is your paddling, CLOSING is your HOME! When it feels like you are not getting anywhere, focus on a series of small goals. Downstream was our phenomenal market of the previous ten years, now we are all fighting the current to get back where we were before. Have faith in your paddling, it will get you to the closing table in the end…. What small goals can you focus on when lead generating? Maybe it is the call itself….. Maybe an appointment with a long time friend to ask for a referral… Maybe it is an appointment…. Regardless, my point in this market, is to stay the course, and celebrate even the smallest successes along the way.

 

Sincerely,

Brett Boettge

Team Leader – KW Madison Crossroads