If you love real estate and you want to pursue a career in this industry, there has never been a better time to get started.
With a wealth of digital tools available, it’s entirely possible to build your business in a completely virtual way, rather than needing to establish a bricks and mortar location before you can even get started.
Anyone inspired by the potential of launching a real estate business in this way should read on, as we cover the main steps needed to start your journey.
Write a Business Plan
A business plan is the cornerstone of every fledgling firm, and so writing one before you do anything else is wise.
Your plan will let you set out what you hope to achieve, and also provide an opportunity for you to research the real estate market in your region and explore how you can slot into it alongside established competitors.
Furthermore it should cover the financial viability of your real estate business, and could point you toward suitable funding options, whether that might be a bank loan or a private investment deal.
Perfect Your Tech Setup
Running a real estate brokerage from home still requires that you have access to all the technology you need to succeed, and a space that is set aside for your business endeavors.
A good business laptop is a necessity, and it’s important to create a home office that is both comfortable and professional-looking, because it is more than likely that you will need to take video calls with clients, and a messy background will not make a positive first impression.
Invest In a Website
Another must-have asset for any virtual real estate business is a website, and this is not an area where you can afford to cut corners, because modern consumers are very savvy at sniffing out cheap, cookie cutter sites.
It’s probably wise to hire a professional web designer to put your site together, and you need to be clear about what you want from the site.
For example, it needs to be able to fulfill the types of things that you’d normally do with a physical real estate office, such as providing images and descriptions of the properties you have available so that they can be browsed with ease.
Your site also needs to make it simple for clients to get in touch, and for other administrative duties to be carried out seamlessly. It’s not enough to put your name, your credentials and your contact details online and expect clients to do the rest.
Consider Your Marketing Options
Arguably the biggest obstacle you face as a virtual real estate business owner is getting your foot in the door with those first few prospects that will eventually snowball into something bigger.
Managing marketing in this context definitely starts with having a solid website, as mentioned. However, connecting with prospective clients is a lot easier if you have a presence of plenty of other platforms as well.
Social media marketing is a powerful ally for any up and coming agent or broker, and being active on Instagram and Twitter will let you bolster your profile and gain the trust of clients right out of the gate.
Leverage Listings Tools
Lastly, don’t forget that there are some amazing real estate listing services available today which can enable newcomers to stand side by side with big name agencies.
From RightMove to Zoopla and beyond, making the most of these platforms will get your business noticed locally, and enhance your connections with clients without the legwork.
