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Streamlining Your Business: Real Estate Lead Management Best Practices

August 18, 2023

Real estate agents should consistently cultivate a massive stream of potential property leads. During low-interest rates and peak seasons, you could be inundated with clients. Nevertheless, it's essential to anticipate the possibility of a seasonal slowdown or market fluctuations that could interrupt your momentum.

Unlike other industries, real estate agents experience a more constant ebb and flow of leads. Typically, once someone purchases a house, they tend to remain there for an average of ten to 13 years.

While you might earn from them on one occasion, it could be several years or even decades before their next property-related need arises. This fact remains true even if it involves a lucrative buy-sell transaction with a substantial commission. 

The real estate market operates rapidly. Staying on top of your incoming leads is crucial for seizing opportunities. When you're up to date with your lead generation efforts, you're ready to increase sales when the opportunity arises.

Managing leads in the real estate realm can be intricate. Expired listings and uninterested prospects can get in the way of your lead-generation efforts. But don't let these setbacks dishearten you. 

This article will delve into comprehensive insights about real estate lead management to help real estate agents like you tackle this task. The discussion will explore strategies for effectively organizing your leads to achieve optimal results and get your desired lead conversion numbers.

Key Takeaways 

  • Understanding the needs and requirements of your leads can help you provide customized service. This bespoke service can improve user experience and positively impact customer relationship management. 
  • You can invest in CRM to automate and streamline your lead generation efforts. This strategy may be costly, but can yield significant results when appropriately utilized. 
  • Cold-calling leads and sending emails using lead-generation email templates can help you build relationships with prospective buyers. However, never be pushy when selling because it can be off-putting to some. 
Learn more about our tracing tools and comprehensive lead inbox to help you streamline your lead management process!

What are leads in real estate?

Leads in the real estate industry refer to individuals or potential clients who reach out to express interest in the real estate market. Their interests encompass buying, selling, or renting the best real estate properties.

Effective real estate lead generation entails meticulously keeping track of all these contacts. Among these potential clients, qualified leads hold special significance. They represent individuals with a solid intention to engage in a real estate transaction, whether purchasing, selling, or renting a property. 

These individuals have shown particular interest by taking specific actions. These actions could be having their necessary documents ready for renters or securing pre-approval from a lender if they are buying. 

Due to their high commitment and intent, qualified leads are of significant value. They are more likely to follow through and complete real estate transactions. As such, they can significantly increase your conversion rates. 

It's okay if you are uncertain about locating a trustworthy lead source to collaborate with. It would be best to pinpoint the top destinations for procuring real estate leads. Look for resources that can help you with lead nurturing. 

How To Organize Real Estate Leads

It's still important to know the precise methods for categorizing and assessing lead quality, even with all the appropriate tools for lead management in real estate. This understanding empowers real estate agents to identify high-potential prospects who are most inclined to convert. 

They can allocate their time efficiently by focusing on these quality leads. Now, let's explore the different approaches for structuring the organization of real estate leads.

Categorize by qualified vs. not qualified

Sorting leads into qualified and non-qualified categories is one of the most straightforward approaches for structuring real estate leads.

When a lead is qualified, they have progressed to being pre-approved for a home purchase. This categorization indicates a lender's confirmation that they are serious and prepared rather than casually exploring options. This distinction can offer one of the most immediate indicators of a potential buyer's or seller's readiness to take action. 

Consequently, it's essential to inquire about this aspect during your initial interaction with clients, preferably right on the lead forms. This way, clients can share their pre-approved amount with you, enabling you to record this information in your CRM promptly. 

In cases where they still need to be qualified, you introduce them to your preferred lenders. You can fast-track their application by helping them in this aspect.

Categorize based on requirements

Different customer segments have varying needs and require different levels of follow-up. For instance, someone selling their property needs help preparing their home. However, they won't need you to handle offers, particularly in a hot market like the current one.

Conversely, a buyer might need to browse multiple property listings and make rapid-fire offers. Distinctions between residential and commercial properties, or between buying and renting, give rise to different needs.

In addition, remember to classify leads by cost brackets and specific preferences, such as a fenced-in yard or a senior living community. These details significantly influence how you cater to your client's needs while assisting multiple customers in real-time.

Ways of Generating Real Estate Leads

Here are different ways of generating real estate leads: 

Building high-quality relationships 

Forge valuable connections with local businesses to establish mutually advantageous collaborations. Co-host fun gatherings, send thoughtful gifts to clients and prospects, and create solid regional alliances. Here are several industries where real estate agents can cultivate fruitful partnerships:

  • Insurance firms: Homeowner's insurance is essential, and some homebuyers aim to convert their new properties into rentals or businesses. Having contacts in the insurance industry can facilitate these transitions seamlessly.
  • Private banking professionals: A home represents one of many individuals' most significant financial investments. Private bankers can assist by crunching numbers and verifying affordability, guiding buyers toward optimal loan choices.
  • Commercial lending institutions: Loan officers play a pivotal role in home buying, yet many buyers may need direct access to one. Establish relationships with commercial lenders, allowing you to recommend them to buyers when they're ready to make an offer.
  • Bakeries: Collaborating with a bakery is a universally favorable idea for real estate agents and beyond. Sending sweet treats to former clients keeps your real estate firm at the forefront of their minds. Additionally, having food to munch on at your open houses can enhance their appeal.
  • Landscaping professionals: Landscaping significantly influences buyers' initial impressions of a property. Encourage your sellers to enlist professional landscaping services to ensure their homes showcase their best features. Strong relationships may even lead to special deals.
  • Cleaning service providers: A tidy home dramatically enhances its appeal. Partnering with cleaning services enables you to offer discounted house cleaning to your clients, ensuring their homes are presented immaculately.
  • Staging experts: Few homes boast HGTV-level aesthetics, but an aspirational ambiance accelerates sales. Cultivate ties with local staging professionals to expedite the sale of your client's properties.
  • Title companies: This partnership may lack glamor but holds immense significance. Maintain a list of dependable title companies to recommend to your clients, streamlining their real estate journey.

Identify and connect with businesses whose clientele aligns with your objectives and preferences. Once these partnerships are established, you can contribute by sharing referrals and leads. Such collaborations are mutually beneficial, yielding substantial advantages for all parties involved.

Host a warm and welcoming housewarming event

When a well-connected client has just settled into their new abode, why not extend an invitation to handle their housewarming celebration? 

You can offer to cater the event, treat guests to an open bar, cover the cost of appetizers, or adorn the space with exquisite floral arrangements. Be sure to appear at the gathering—a little personal interaction can yield significant results when employing this approach.

This occasion presents an excellent opportunity to connect with potential clients in similar life stages. Your assistance in securing their friends' homes will undoubtedly leave a positive impression.

And if your client has thoughtfully invited the new neighbors, this is your chance to inquire whether they have contemplated putting their property on the market. It's worth noting that neighborhood sales often ignite renewed interest among homeowners. A housewarming event can turn lukewarm new leads into promising prospects.

Frequent your favorite restaurant

Are you planning to meet clients at a local eatery or coffee spot to review details? Make it a habit to arrange these meetings at your preferred restaurant.

Doing so will help you establish rapport with the staff, secure prime seating arrangements, and present yourself as an engaged community member. You might even have the chance to become acquainted with fellow regulars. When the time comes for them to make a real estate move, you'll naturally be their top choice to reach out to.

Reach out with a personal touch

Grab a pen, paper, and stamp. Compose a handwritten note to a current or previous client. Express your gratitude for selecting you as their realtor and let them know you're readily available for any inquiries. You could also recommend trustworthy moving companies or provide essential tax documents.

Sending a handwritten note sets you apart from the crowded world of unread email subject lines. Are you feeling confident? Give them a call a few days later and delicately inquire about potential referrals.

Harness online advertising opportunities

Capitalize on paid online advertising options. Platforms like Zillow provide advertising avenues for real estate professionals. Becoming a Zillow Premier agent is a strategic move. In 2021, nearly 99 percent of home buyers aged 23 to 56 used the Internet to hunt for homes.

Here's how to effectively market yourself as a real estate agent:

  • Run targeted Facebook ads
  • Implement LinkedIn advertising campaigns
  • Share your expertise by addressing real estate queries on Quora
  • Opt for Google ads to boost your visibility
  • Contribute insightful blog posts to local or national real estate websites

Explore traditional advertising channels

Occasionally, the most effective path to enhance your brand's visibility and draw in fresh clients harks back to classic methods. Traditional media platforms, such as billboards and print advertisements, can be valuable assets for capturing the interest of potential clients. 

This strategy ensures that your services remain fresh in their minds when they search for their next real estate agent. Feel free to unleash your creativity when crafting your advertisements. A touch of humor or striking visuals can go a long way toward setting yourself apart from the crowd.

Establish your own online platform

While your brokerage might offer you a page on their website, developing your independent web presence is crucial and an excellent lead capture tool.. This step empowers you to construct a distinct personal brand, place the spotlight on your expertise, and showcase feedback from satisfied clients. 

Moreover, it guarantees a unified representation within the local market, even if you transition to a different brokerage. Remember the importance of optimizing your website. Craft blog articles that address common challenges clients encounter during the home-buying process. 

Produce and share instructive how-to videos. Additionally, seize the opportunity to gather email addresses through a newsletter signup feature.

Specialize in a specific area

Do you know a particular neighborhood, excel in historic home sales, or are you great at assisting clients in finding their ideal apartments? Embrace your specialization wholeheartedly. Carve out a niche for yourself and become a recognized authority. 

This step enables you to channel your marketing efforts towards a specific demographic, establishing your reputation as the preferred realtor for buyers and sellers within that niche.

Here are a few prevalent real estate niches:

  • Historic homes
  • Mid-century modern homes
  • Luxury homes
  • Specific neighborhoods
  • Student rentals
  • Preferred school districts
  • Cities or towns
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Condominiums or apartments
  • Distressed properties
  • Senior homes
  • Vacation homes
  • Land
  • Commercial real estate
  • Industrial real estate
  • Property rights

You don't need to be an instant expert. Choose a niche that resonates with you and immerse yourself in it. For instance, you specialize in helping seniors discover their perfect retirement residences. In this case, you must grasp their unique needs and identify senior-friendly neighborhoods. 

Collaborating with financial planners who understand the local seniors' requirements would also be beneficial. Developing a niche simplifies the process of obtaining a high number of leads. Take advantage of this valuable marketing outreach avenue. 

Various solutions are available for purchasing real estate leads that yield promising prospects; the key is comprehending your target market profoundly.

Engage with relevant groups

Identify and join LinkedIn groups that align with your target audience's interests and preferences. This move might involve participating in groups tailored to local real estate investors or designed for first-time homebuyers. 

Locate the groups where your potential clients are actively engaged—these are great venues to give you the types of leads you want for your real estate business. Once you've pinpointed these spaces, actively contribute to ongoing conversations before transitioning into a professional pitch.

Once you've established rapport, follow up with interested prospects. Extend an offer to delve deeper into their queries through a phone call.

When engaging in a real estate investment group, consider sharing an informative blog article discussing emerging neighborhoods in your city. Respond to queries posed within a first-time homebuyer group and provide insightful and knowledgeable responses in the comments section.

Arrange informative community workshops

Plan and conduct informative webinars and workshops within your community to generate real estate leads. Consider organizing educational events where you can provide residents with valuable insights into topics such as navigating the process of buying their first home, understanding the current market conditions, or identifying key factors to consider when seeking a rental property. 

By offering these classes, you establish your brand and create opportunities for expanding your clientele. Collaborate with local businesses to co-host engaging home-buying seminars held during lunch hours. Alternatively, team up with mortgage lenders to co-present events, allowing you to extend your reach and diversify your potential client base.

Nurture your leads

Have you invested time showing a potential buyer three properties only to realize they need more time to purchase? Remember their contact information. Stay engaged by sending informative postcards that provide updates about the market. 

Encourage potential home buyers or sellers to subscribe to your email list and occasionally leave a friendly voicemail, reminding them that you're available to assist them in their quest for the perfect home. This simple strategy can help you revive stalled deals.

However, avoid repeating your approach. If your prospect initially gave a tentative yes and then went silent, or if they gave a firm no, avoid following up with the same method. Your subsequent communication should take a different angle.

So instead of reinitiating contact with your potential buyer months later with a straightforward "Ready to buy now?" message, consider asking, "Would you be interested in participating in our seminar tailored for first-time homebuyers?" This approach demonstrates your continued dedication to their needs while introducing a fresh opportunity for lead gen and engagement.

Enhance your social media presence 

This strategy aims to strengthen your brand as a real estate agent. Like any modern brand, maintaining a robust social media presence is crucial to staying competitive. Ensure you maintain profiles on various platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—wherever you can engage with potential buyers and sellers.

These platforms provide you with the opportunity to showcase yourself. They serve as tangible points of reference for prospects, helping them understand your identity and the value you offer. Additionally, they contribute to your credibility and infuse a personal touch into your professional image.

However, the significance of these platforms goes beyond traditional self-promotion. We previously mentioned the benefits of LinkedIn groups, and the same holds for Facebook groups, Twitter discussions, and Instagram comment sections. You can leverage these channels to establish yourself as a helpful resource for potential clients.

You can try linking your social media profiles to your website's landing page. Your website will discuss your real estate workflows while engaging more prospects with substantial information. 

Pro Tip  Non-real estate occasions, such as local community gatherings and meet-ups, offer a relaxed environment for establishing connections with potential clients. However, adopting a subtle approach is vital. These gatherings are intended for something other than encountering real estate agents. Strive for natural and authentic interactions to maximize your impact on your buyer leads.

Manage and Grow Your Leads With Addressable

The cutthroat competition in real estate demands out-of-the-box yet effective lead-generation strategies. Wow your prospects with impeccable service and efficient methods that deliver what they need. 

Addressable offers a new and unique way of engaging with leads that you can utilize. With customized real estate postcards, you can deliver empathetic service they'll never forget. Check out Addressable for more information on this real estate marketing tool. You can also access their helpful blogs to grow your real estate business and become a market leader.

Call us today for a product demonstration or business consultation

Keep your customers and prospects interested in your real estate listings and services. Partner with Addressable and get the results your real estate agency deserves. 

FAQs on Real Estate Lead Management Best Practices

How can you track your real estate leads?

Leasing agents, owners, and property managers can track potential customers using social media, CRM systems, and spreadsheets. Many real estate professionals use all three ways to manage their leads.

Why is it necessary to focus on incoming leads?

Team performance can significantly improve by prioritizing and automatically assigning active leads. This improvement can lead to higher conversion rates, increased revenue, and greater profits.

When is the right time to stop pursuing a lead?

If you're skilled at selling, your list of potential customers will likely get longer. But that could be a problem if you don't keep it organized and current. Your promising leads might get lost among the less promising ones. 

To avoid this, regularly review your leads and stop focusing on unproductive ones. If you notice these warning signs, it could be time to let go of that lead.

  • The lead doesn't match your ideal customer profile
  • The lead has no use for your product or services
  • The lead can't afford your product or service
  • The lead is challenging to work with or unpleasant
  • The lead enjoys conversing with salespeople but has yet to make a purchase

When you think a lead won't become a customer, cease communications. But keep their contact details just in case they show interest later on. Make a separate list for prospects and move this lead there. For example, if a lead signs a contract elsewhere, faces temporary money troubles, or plans to grow their business soon.

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FAQs

How does Addressable work?
With our proprietary technology, an actual ballpoint pen is pressed to heavy card stock using a realistic human font. Our end-to-end process is carefully designed so that there are no marketing “tells or tip-offs.” Each homeowner who receives a card will believe you took the time to write it.
Can other agents mail to my area?
Nope! No other agent can market in your tiles.
Why are handwritten cards better than post cards?
Most of our agents have the option to use brokerage postcards for free or low cost. Agents choose to use handwritten cards because we get them listing leads. Brokers want their logo going out—it’s a branding play. In reality, they don’t really help your business. Postcards focus on the brokerage. Handwritten cards focus on building rapport with the homeowner and how you can be of service. Postcards often don’t make it in the door. They typically go directly into the homeowner’s recycle bin. Postcards are mailed in bulk. The USPS discards undeliverable postcards. They kind of go into the void. And you don’t get confirmation when they actually drop in the mail. Postcards are visually overwhelming. There’s no clear message why someone should pick up the phone and call you.
Can I test a small number?
We’ve learned through testing that the minimum sweet spot for generating listing leads is 1,000 cards. Less than that won’t deliver the results you want . Our goal is to set you up for success and demonstrate clear value with every dollar you spend on handwritten cards.
Do people really think these are real?
Yes! In a 3rd party blind study, participants were presented several cards. Some messages were written by our robots, some by humans. Participants were unable to identify which handwriting was done by a robot.
How do you differentiate from other handwriting companies?
Addressable provides an end-to-end solution. When we produce a handwritten mail campaign for you, our goal is to generate listing leads for you. We help you stand out—and differentiate yourself—in a competitive market. Our experts craft the message, target the right homeowners, and track your results.
Can you tell me all the agents you work with?
Nearly every individual agent or team we work with does $20+ million in production, and they're very private about their marketing programs. They consider Addressable part of their secret sauce. Check out our top clients that have found success with us.