Real Estate CRM Secrets

A few secrets from the book Real Estate CRM Secrets.

The Speed-to-Lead Secret

Respond to all internet needs as quickly as possible, preferably within 5 minutes. Each lead you get is probably also reaching out to other agents as well. Take advantage of the features in your CRM to minimize your response times such as email feed, call capture, click-to-dial, and smart phone synchronization.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Real Estate CRM Features Section: Using Real Estate Specific CRMs

The Elevator Answer Secret

Always be able to answer the question: “How is the market?” When you answer, it should be with an in-depth explanation that includes local inventory levels, average days on the market, and recent sales. Taking a step beyond “yes,” “no,” or “it’s complicated” is important in selling yourself by showing that you are an authority on the market.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Building a Real Estate Business Section: Becoming a Trusted Agent

The Friends First Secret

Do not promote your real estate business to your friends, family or past clients. Instead, should focus on building authentic relationships by taking interest in their lives. This means celebrating milestones, chatting about sports, or talking about the local news.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Real Estate CRM Features Section: Repeatable CRM Systems

The Morning Map, Evening Wrap Secret

Sign into your CRM each morning before you start work and each evening before you go to bed. Check your calendar for your hard commitments, as well as your tasks list which are activities which you can handle between appointments. This is your way of holding yourself accountable for making the most of every day. Without a plan, it is too easy to get distracted and less productive.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Engineering Your Habits Using Systems Section: Habits for Results

The Prospecting Power Hour Secret

Schedule time in your calendar each day for outbound prospecting. By reserving this time, you can maintain a steady flow of new prospects. Think of this as your “me” time. At other times you are helping people buy and sell, but during office hours you are dedicated to generating new leads.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Filling Your Sales Pipeline with Leads Section: Daily Prospecting Habits

The Budget Before Browse Secret

For buyers who have not yet met a loan officer, use your CRM’s maximum loan calculator in your very first meeting with a new buyer to set a realistic price range before showing homes. This prevents wasted time on unaffordable properties and establishes you as a knowledgeable, financially savvy advisor from the start.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Engineering Your Habits Using Systems Section: Real Estate Calculators

The Forever Home Flyer Secret

Partner with your local animal shelter to feature a “Pet of the Week” on the back of your property flyers. Include a photo of an adoptable animal and a short bio from the shelter. This simple act changes your marketing material into a community service piece. Instead of just another agent with just another listing, you become a friend of dogs everywhere.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Building Sustainable Systems Section: Marketing That Creates Trust

The Ping After Ring Secret

If your call goes to voicemail, immediately follow it up with a short, personalized text message. Text messages have a high open rate, guaranteeing they will see it. Mention that you just called, why you called, and invite them to reply by text or calling back.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Stand Out When Reaching Out Section: Phone Call Skills

The Campfire Comp Secret

Show your mastery of the market by sharing the backstory of each comparable. How long it was listed, what upgrades or issues affected the sale, and why it sold for its final price. Knowing the history of both the property and the local market turns raw data into persuasive expertise.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Proven Prospecting Methods Section: Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

The Plain Text Paradox Secret

For higher open and reply rates, send simple, plain-text emails instead of flashy HTML ones. These personal-feeling emails are less likely to be flagged as spam and can increase reply rates by over 20% and clicks by up to 51%, a finding supported by extensive marketing research. Save branding for your signature.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Stand Out When Reaching Out Section: Sending Emails

The Broker Bowl Secret

Place a fishbowl at your broker open with a request that agents drop their business card in the bowl with the price they think the home will sell for written on the back of the card. The person who comes closest wins a gift card to the restaurant of their choice and bragging rights as the most accurate agent. For the price of a gift card, you have just gotten a professional Broker Price Opinion (BPO) from the people most qualified to provide it.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Filling Your Sales Pipeline with Leads Section: Open House Strategies

The Borino Boomerang Secret

When prospecting using printed letters, send a short introductory letter. A week later, send the exact same letter, but this time crumpled up with a handwritten note on it like, “Don’t throw this away! Let’s get your home sold.” The homeowner will think you rescued it from their trash, a bold move that grabs their attention and makes you unforgettable.

Real Estate CRM Secrets
Chapter: Stand Out When Reaching Out Section: Proven Printed Letters

Try before you buy

Read the first chapter of Real Estate CRM Secrets for free and see how it can transform your business.

Sample Chapter

FAQ

Why are some phrases in bold in Real Estate CRM Secrets and Real Estate CRM Mastery?

The phrases in bold are specific features you can expect to see in a real estate CRM. I have marked the first time each feature is introduced in bold, along with a brief explanation. You can easily scan through the book to see the specific real estate CRM features that interest you, like drip emails, smartphone synchronization, and the ability to import leads, among others.

Should Real Estate CRM Secrets be used with a specific CRM in mind?

The Real Estate CRM series of books is not focused on a single real estate CRM. Instead, I have tried to provide generalized descriptions of the benefits and features you should expect in nearly all real estate CRMs. Since each product is different, some CRMs will lack certain features, and others will have features I do not describe in the book. No agent uses every feature within their CRM, so you should not feel obligated to use a real estate CRM that contains more features than another one. Instead, I recommend using the book as an overview of the kinds of benefits you can expect from using a real estate CRM. Review the phrases in bold, which are the features that allow you to exploit those benefits. While it is useful to find a real estate CRM you can grow into over time, no real estate CRM is perfect. The best one is the one you use regularly.

What are the real estate CRM secrets that are in the book?

The Real Estate CRM book series includes several secrets throughout, which are short nuggets of wisdom that are not obvious but are particularly insightful and useful for an agent. I am including a few example secrets on my website so you can see them. Each secret is integrated within the book chapter, where context and additional information are available to better understand the secret and how to benefit from it.

What type of research was used for the secrets in Real Estate CRM Secrets?

I have spoken with thousands of real estate agents over the years, and they have shared their expectations for what a real estate CRM should do. Sometimes these expectations are unreasonable or overly ambitious, but in many cases they reflect agents' underlying desire to use technology to solve the problems and challenges they face. I have also carefully researched each concept in the book against academic research, common agent practices, and my experiences working with agents using their CRM. While each agent approaches business in a slightly different way, there are often common approaches that can be shared. You should think of the secrets and the book in general as a way to gain insight into what other agents are doing throughout the US and Canada.

Can I share one of my secrets to real estate success with you?

Certainly! I would love to hear from you and get insight into how you are using technology to systematize your real estate practice. The industry moves quickly and is constantly changing. You can reach me using the contact me form on this website!