Practical Marketing Advice for Progressive Real Estate Agents
931453
I loved this book. I perceive Mr. Marunde's book as a clarion call to the few, elite, real estate professionals who are wise enough to recognize the irreversible evolution in real estate marketing. He correctly identifies the evolution as being due to rapid technological advances and to modern consumer expectations. For those readers who have the vision, they will see and understand the author's illustrations of the new real estate paradigm. With the aid of the Mr. Marunde's refreshingly truthful perspective and advice, those rare visionaries with initiative should see ways to capitalize upon timeless principles and advanced technology to create profitable, enjoyable and sustainable practices.

This book appears to be a general guideline and template for those real estate professionals who have the courage (or desperation) to conduct a critical self-analysis, an honest examination of their current business model and then be willing to shift their thinking.

Mr. Marunde thoroughly illustrates the futility of the traditional real estate brokerage and marketing model. The book may be a bit repetitive in parts. However, I'm speculating the author is trying to drive home the point of the absolute need to "Adapt or Die," and to be an early adopter, at that. For those real estate professionals that love the business and desire to prosper, he eloquently & compellingly makes a case for the necessity to change and the rewards for those who will embrace the changes.

For those that do this, Mr. Marunde details, in practical, concrete ways, the steps to build a profitable, enjoyable and sustainable career in real estate. The opportunities for the new real estate visionaries are staggering, because the corpses of the traditional real estate dinosaurs litter the road behind. The road ahead has few and fewer competitors for the visionaries. The author explains how to survive a down market and how to position oneself to dominate their local market when the inevitable upturn arrives.

The author's detailed, practical instructions on effective internet marketing are priceless. It's clearly the result of countless hours of research and real-world experience.
1912083
I have read a lot of real estate books and they give you a lot of general information such as multiple ways to find that great deal.  They don't rank the methods, but this book does, saving you time, money and loss of enthusiasm as you trial and error your way to reinventing the wheel.  Joe has done the work and provides several strategies that seem very practical.

Also, the writing is crisp, sharp, witty, and fun to read.  At the end of the book, is a list of all the ones he has rehabbed, how they were financed, and the cash flow each one generates.  I found that very motivational.  It shows you a proven path to success.  It also shows how many homes he was able to find in a given year.  I want to start generating my own list.

I have already started pursuing some of the niches Joe talks about.

Highly recommended.
948041
The title of this book may be a bit over-reaching but this is a good primer for those who are looking to leave renting behind and embark on home ownership.  Author Bach offers a thorough primer into the wisdom of getting into the real estate market and buying a home.  This is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme, but rather an approach for a patient person.

One caveat is that many of Bach's principles work better in a rising real estate market.  In some markets, this advice could render you An Automatic Bankruptcy Case.

Since the book's publication, the residential real estate market has cooled or tanked in many areas.  This may make it tougher in the short run to recoup on some of Bach's advice.  In fairness, he recognizes in the book the cyclical nature of real estate markets and recommends a long term discipline in holding real estate in up markets and down cycles.
1946822
Josh Grillo has proven himself to be one of the top go-to experts on apartment marketing. Josh understands lead generation, SEO and multifamily marketing technology better than anyone I know of in this field, but he doesn't stop there. Josh has figured out how to incorporate seriously effective tools for increasing leads and leases, and retaining more residents in any apartment community that really take a small amount of time to implement and maintain. The tools Josh offers make a lasting impression on renters and potential renters. Josh gives the kind of advice that not only drives traffic, but that gives managers and owners the tools to make their rental properties a true, cohesive community.

Whether you're tech savvy or not, The Definitive Guide to Apartment Marketing will arm you with the strategies that work when it comes to maximum lead generation, lease closings and resident retention. Josh is a guy to keep an eye on - he owns RESIDENT360, a multifamily and apartment community marketing firm that is one step ahead of everyone else when it comes down to maximizing lead conversion and lead generation. RESIDENT 360 offers the most up-to-date technology in its unique, fully responsive apartment website designs, all optimized to receive leads on a pc, laptop, table or smartphone. Josh has done all the work for you - for $11, you've got nothing to lose and a world of insight and marketing expertise to gain.

Seriously, buy the book.
1295861
Packed with great information! Very specific and actionable conversion strategies. Listened to it in audible - appreciated the "off script" additions. Loved it enough that I have now purchased the kindle edition as well so that I can highlight some of the content. Great for any digital marketer - not only for real estate.
568556
As a new agent, this book has a lot of great information. It's easy to read and entertaining.

Personally, I found trying to employ a Sphere of Influence style business as a new agent to be disastrous. All of my colleagues with aggressive open house strategies have seen great success. I tried not "selling my soul" but working primarily my sphere has not seen great results.

The author is very enthusiastic about her method, but I have to think that part of her success was the fact that she's very likable, sociable, female, blond, white, in Denver, and at an age where most of your friends have money to buy real estate. She says that she's introverted which may be true, but it helps if you are white, blond and female.

This method won't work for everyone.
3144180
This book explains some simple, tried and tested tips and also reveals some real off-the-chart gems that will help any real estate agent establish a good client base. The best part of these tips is that they will encourage customers to approach you, rather than chasing sales. Well done!
1356189
I found the material in the book to be practical and pragmatic.  Everyone sells everyday of their professional, personal and public life.  This isn't just another book touting a "magic" formula but real tips and tricks from diverse, successful people.  The book is an easy read and a good reference to revisit when needed.
1495832
I bought this book hoping to find something of value to give to new agents to help them succeed in 'the business'. Not only does this book serve that purpose well, I found it extremely useful to me personally. Mr. Cook gives frank, practical guidance for real estate professionals of all experience levels.
I highly recommend this book.
1501766
I gave this book five stars as the authors did a good job of providing real world advice on buying/selling residential real estate while also making it an interesting read.
206849
I was disappointed at first when I received this book.  It was too small and slim to be useful, I thought.  Wrong!  It's full of good ideas and timely reminders for anyone who makes their living from causing and fulfilling other people's buying decisions.
As a consultant (rather than a product salesperson), some of the product-oriented advice wasn't applicable to my practice.  The advice to "dollarize" customers' benefits are easier with "hard products" than they are with "soft services," but Fox does not address this challenge.
Those issues aside, I like the short but intense style, with each of the chapters taking little more than 2-3 pages (500-750 words).  I remember watching a friend of mine, an antiques dealer, work with a customer.  I thought, "He forgot to ask killer sales question number...," letting the customer leave the store even after expressing specific interest in purchaing an item.  The book's style allows one to easily remember snippets like the six "killer sales questions" (each with its own chapter).
This is not a huckster's book, either.  There's a heavy message of respect for the customer, fair dealing, not wasting time (yours OR your customer's), and attentiveness to the customer's wishes.  Rainmakers thrive on relationships, not "quick kill" sales.
Fox also discusses this when addressing prospecting.  He recommends prospecting a reasonably small number of targeted customers and investing time and effort in each one.  PLan repeat contacts progressing toward a sale.  Don't scatter your time and talents all over the board, mistaking effort for accomplishment.
"Rainmaker" is a valuable addition to my consulting library, and its compact size will make it easy to carry along with me for inspiration and recollection.
1905803
Twelve years ago, I got my real estate sales license. Despite the passage of time, I distinctly recall one of my first conversations with my broker. The ink was barely dry on my freshly minted real estate sales license when he provided his "most important words of advice"...

"IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PRICE!"

Price was it. Marketing didn't matter, exposure didn't matter. If a home wasn't selling, the right and only thing to do was, "lower the price."

I scratched my head and thought, "This will be easy!" After all, here's a guy who has been selling homes for over 35 years telling me that the only thing that mattered was the price of the home.

His belief was backed up by virtually everything else I read. Agents in real estate forums and groups were saying, "You need a price reduction." Or, "Location and price are all that matters, and you can't change the location." How about, "You should build a price reduction schedule into your listing agreements. Make sure the client knows the price needs to be reduced at scheduled intervals."

Price, price, price. Who needs marketing?

YOU need marketing.

In this book, FINALLY an agent is saying it. Yes, price matters, but it's not ALL that matters.

This book is a very quick read, and it won't create a life-changing moment for you. But it very well might put more money in your pocket if you are considering selling your home. It certainly should make you sit back and think -- and shouldn't you be thinking, hard, about selling what is likely the most valuable asset you have?

If your agent is insisting on a price reduction to get your home sold, as the author points out, that may or may not be exactly what is needed. Armed with the info in this book, you should be able to have an educated conversation with your agent. Better yet, read this book BEFORE you hire an agent to sell your home. Find an agent with Blair's mentality that marketing your home DOES matter (and goes far beyond sticking a For Sale sign in your yard). Find an agent like Blair Ballin, and rest assured your sale is in professional hands. It won't be easy; the "price is all that matters" attitude runs rampant in this industry. Dig deep, find an agent that understands that yes, price is important, but it's not all that matters, and put more money in your pocket.
274354
the book is very generalized in terms of explaining real estate basics; it is however a marketing tool for BiggerPockets blog
4246249
I've read Jennifer's other books, Sell with Soul and If You're Not Having Fun with Real Estate, You're Not Doing it Right, and LOVED them.  Jennifer has such an innovative approach to selling real estate and her ideas could transform the entire industry.  Prospect with Soul does do a great job of covering prospecting ideas that are different from the standard, "market them to death" campaigns that most real estate agencies advocate.  The "Sphere of Influence" concept is doable, affordable and respectful, three elements that are not often found in many prospecting techniques.  Jennifer's overall theme is the golden rule, when marketing to others, treat them as you would like to be treated.  Her ideas are ingenious and simple at the same time. If you have read other real estate books and gotten an "icky" feeling about their marketing techniques, this is the book for you!  No, you don't have to quit being a real estate agent, you just need to learn to Prospect with Soul!!!
3454288
Pete,  gives you lots of practical info about Facebook advertising with examples from different types of business using Facebook successfully.  He is a marketing Genius and he is now applying  his marking savvy to Facebook for your benefit.  He was originally was negative on Facebook Advertising.  But, then Facebook made a change to how they allow you to run your ads and Pete jumped on.  He explains the best ways to use Facebook.  Because one of my businesses is real estate I like that there are several real estate examples.

Full disclosure I know Pete, I like him and trust him.  Pete is about results and not fluff.  Follow his advise and use Facebook to increase your business.

Mike Crosby, Author Get More Clients Now
4429192
This ebook is packed with specific tips and pointers for better Internet-based communication with clients or prospective clients. One great example is the outlines which are provided to help agents step by step through the writing process. Whether you think blogging is worthwhile or not shouldn't influence your decision to read. This is an excellent resource for any agent seeking to grow their business and expand their reach with prospective buyers.
2929761
There are many suggestions for those getting started and tips for success. I'm a real estate agent looking to expand from resale homes to new home communities and this has been a helpful resource.