When it comes to real estate, there aren’t many resources that a startup or new developer can rely on. After all, the real estate market is constantly evolving and it doesn’t make much sense for people to follow the advice that was given a decade or more ago. That’s why it’s important to learn not just from experience, but also trial and error. Buying, developing, and selling properties is a long process. Unlike other business ventures, it can take several years for you to finish a project and it could ultimately cost you a lot of money.
There’s no cheap option when it comes to real estate, which is why many people have resorted to niches in the property market. Of course, it might seem like a bad idea at first. After all, why would you want to appeal to a narrower audience as opposed to trying to get as much attention as possible, but there’s a serious flaw in that way of thinking and it will ultimately ruin your business unless you change your mentality.
Far too many blogs and articles focus on “improving exposure” and “appealing to a wider audience” but the fact is, appealing to too many people is never a good idea. Let’s put it this way; if your favorite doughnut store suddenly removed your favorites in favor of something more hip and trendy, would you be pleased? Perhaps it still tastes good, but they’ve removed one of your favorite products to appeal to a wider audience. This is never a good feeling, yet far too many people neglect it when it comes to real estate.
Misunderstanding the Investment Required for Real Estate
One of the most common things people assume about real estate is that it’s difficult to make a profit or sell something. A home is a huge investment and there aren’t many people in the world that can straight up buy a house—they need a mortgage. As a result, it’s something that takes a lot of dedication and the investment required can sometimes be far too much for people to handle. Because of this, people assume that you need to target your property to as many people as possible to increase exposure and improve the chances of actually selling a home, but this is an incorrect way of thinking that has to be changed if you want to see success.
If you want to sell a home, then you need to specialize in it. By trying to appeal to too many people, you water down your property in an attempt to sell it quicker. If you’re putting up a listing for your property, then you might try to include far too many words that will complicate things or make your descriptions far too long. A property that advertises itself as student accommodation close to public transportation and nightlife is going to be far more exposed than a property advertised as student accommodation, for professionals and families alike. You want to highlight the best features of your home, not renovate it and highlight boring things that won’t attract an audience.
The advantages of specializing in your real estate business
If you’re able to specialize, then not only do you get more attention from people who are interested in buying the properties you sell, but you’ll also build a reputation.
Think of it this way, when people purchase luxury apartments in expensive and highly sought-after areas, do you think they just look at any real estate agent? Absolutely not. They network with other wealthy individuals to try and find a property that best suits them. They’ll ask friends for recommendations, and that’s how you build a network of clients. If you don’t do this, then not only are you reducing the chances of exposing your business, but you’re also giving yourself far less credit for what you can offer.
Let’s use another example. If your geographical location offers several opportunities to sell ranches, then it would be wise to invest in them and turn them into your niche. As your customers discover ranches across the west, they’ll come across your company and see you as a business worth relying on. Your geographical location speaks volumes about your expertise, you’ll have plenty of good recommendations from successful deals and you’ll find it’s far easier to find customers who know what they’re looking for.
This makes it easier to find future customers, it makes sales easier and there’s less to explain. This will help grow your business and give you an upper hand over other real estate agents in the area, and you’ll quickly build a monopoly over certain types of properties thanks to your reputation.
Some final words
If you want to grow a real estate business, then you need to focus on your niche. If you’re unable to come up with a niche, use your geographical location and specializes in something local or unique to your location. By specializing, you not only give yourself more expertise and credibility, but you also draw attention from people that know what they’re looking for.
No matter what you sell, be it a product, service, or in this case, property, watering down what you sell just to appeal to a wider audience is a terrible idea. People are not only willing to pay for a good product, but also a good experience, knowledgeable staff, and reputation. Build a brand that is worth talking about and you’ll find that turning your business into a profitable one with a long lifespan is easy.
Building a niche around your property is the ultimate way to improve your exposure, and there’s no better way to do it than to put yourself in the customer’s shoes and offer them service and experience that is worth every penny. Look for opportunities where others don’t dare to deal in and take risks that other real estate agents wouldn’t touch. If you want to stand out, then you need to try something new that demands attention.
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