Becoming a local real estate expert comes with a ton of advantages. When you’re considered an expert, buyers and sellers will seek you out. They know you get results and they want an expert working for them.
It might seem like it’s difficult to become a local real estate expert without putting in a decade or so of work. While this might be the case for some, you can become a local real estate expert much faster.
What is a Local Real Estate Expert?
While the word “expert” can be used to describe someone at the top of their field, many people have a different opinion on what makes a person an expert. Some of the common things you will see used to describe an expert include:
- Well-known in the community and very visible
- Have an advanced degree, such as an MBA or PhD
- Dresses very professional when in the public eye
- Has been featured on major blogs, whether global, national, or local
- Has a large following on social media
- Has been seen on local or even national TV networks
While these things might seem hard to achieve, they are not all necessary to be seen as a local real estate expert. In fact, you can be seen as an expert without achieving any of the above things.
Becoming a local expert in your real estate market requires two very simple things:
- Know significantly more about your real estate market than your clients do
- Deliver consistent results for buyers and sellers in your market
If you can achieve these two things, you can become a local real estate expert.
If you want to be seen as an expert in your local real estate market, you need the right plan. Here are some of the best tips you can use to become a local real estate expert in your market.
7 Tips for Becoming a Local Real Estate Expert Faster
1. Specialize
One of the fastest ways to become a real estate expert is to specialize. Instead of trying to cover the entire local market you work within, choose a segment of the market, such as:
- First-time homebuyers or sellers
- Luxury buyers and sellers
- Historic homes
- New construction homes
- Working with investors
- Foreclosure listings
Choosing a specialty allows you to become hyper-focused. You can become known as the best local real estate expert for your specific specialty, which is much easier than becoming a local expert in all thing’s real estate.
2. Work with the Right Broker
The right broker can do wonders for your status in a local real estate market. With the right broker, you’ll be able to catapult your local reputation to expert status faster.
Your broker will be able to guide you along the way and help you, when necessary. In addition, you will be associated with them, which means you gain reputation points from their reputation.
Of course, this goes both ways. If you choose the wrong broker, it could make it harder to become a local real estate expert. Make sure you evaluate the right broker for you before making your final choice.
3. Become Involved in Your Community
Expert status requires you to be known and seen. As a real estate agent, you have to make good connections and get seen throughout your community. Whether it’s attending Chamber of Commerce meetings or getting involved in your community, you should become more visible throughout your market.
You can volunteer your time for organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity or another charity close to your heart. It can also help if you coach youth sports or get involved in an adult sports league.
Of course, there are also networking events you can attend throughout the year in any real estate market. Make sure you look for these events and attend as many as possible to help gain expert status in your local area.
4. Make Your Blog Local
A website and blog are vital to your expert status as a real estate agent. Without both, you’ll fall behind and it will be harder to be seen as a real estate expert.
If you make your blog local, you’ll not only be able to target the right keywords for your market, but you can also share local content on your social media. You can make your blog local by focusing on posts about things happening in your community. Some great ideas for a local real estate blog include:
- Upcoming local events
- Restaurant reviews or spotlights
- Neighborhood spotlights
- Local non-profit organization spotlights
- Things to do throughout the area
- And more!
Anything that focuses on your local market will help you become better-known online by your local community.
5. Know Your Local Real Estate Market
Of course, if you plan to become a local real estate expert, you need to know your market inside and out. This isn’t a one-time thing as the market will change every year or even every few months.
Take the time to study your local market and know what’s going on. If you can stay ahead of the local real estate market trends, you will easily be seen as an expert.
6. Connect with Local Businesses
One of the best ways to become more visible in your community is by connecting with local businesses. This not only helps business owners get to know you better but also allows you to make solid recommendations to clients.
Your clients will likely ask you for recommendations for lenders, restaurants, entertainment options, contractors, and more. Make sure you connect with all types of businesses and build relationships with the owners and managers.
Attending chamber of commerce meetings and events is a great way to connect with local business owners and other professionals in your market.
7. Walk/Drive Your Local Area Often
You need to know more about the neighborhoods you serve than anybody else if you want to be a real estate expert. It’s a good idea to walk or drive the neighborhoods in your area often.
This will help you to understand how close homes are to grocery stores, restaurants, the airport, and other important landmarks. You will also be able to see what is going on throughout the neighborhood with homes going up for sale or coming off the market.
There are many things you can do to catapult yourself to local real estate expert status. You don’t have to work for 10 or more years to be considered an expert. Use the tips above and create a plan to become well-known as the go-to agent for buyers and sellers throughout your local market.
