As the weather shifts for the summer, you may notice your real estate business slow down as clients go on vacation or try to avoid the hot weather. In this article, we look at 7 tips to help you thrive despite a potential summer dip in business.
Virtual Tours & Walkthrough Videos
Virtual property viewings are a great way to beat the heat! If you notice that you’re getting fewer calls for viewings, do not worry, it’s over 40℃ outside and most people prefer to stay indoors.
However, this doesn’t mean your real estate business has to suffer. To remain competitive during this time, consider setting up virtual property viewings or sharing video tours. This will help you cater to property seekers while avoiding the scorching heat.
Virtual viewings also open up the opportunity to work with international clients looking to buy or rent in Dubai. It’s a Win-Win situation. You can also equip your listings with Floor Plans and video tours to help clients visualise what the property will look like right from their screens.
Identify Your Summer Networking Opportunities
Take part in indoor activities and look for networking opportunities; activities such as photography, pottery classes, or bowling are great for the summer. Use this period to interact with different people and expand your network. When you initially connect with someone new, they may or may not have an interest in buying property. the objective of networking is to get in front of as many people as possible and stay top of mind when they, or one of their contacts, need to buy or rent a property.
With a strong, well-connected network, you gain increased confidence, more qualified leads and constant professional exposure.
Focus On Self-Development
If your business starts to slow down, utilise your free time by investing in learning opportunities and self-development. You can either improve your current skills or learn something completely new. Learning how to improve your negotiation, customer service or social media practices will always prove to be useful for your career. Consider learning a new language, interior design basics or Vastu and Feng Shui principles, these skills will help you expand your target audience and gain more opportunities for your real estate business in the future.
The great thing about the world we live in today is that access to learning and resources is right at our fingertips. At Bayut Academy, we run a series of interactive workshops where we train on various UAE real estate best practices. Set aside some time to identify what interests you and use the summer to develop your skills and boost your business.
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Maintain Connections
In addition to gaining new clients, maintaining connections with your current database is essential. Put aside time to call up your past clients, and ask how they are doing and what plans they have for the summer. During this call, do not lead with the topic of real estate; focus first on strengthening your relationship and only then check if they have any real estate needs for the summer and offer your support.
We also recommend calling your past investment clients and sharing updates on their properties’ returns. Talk about return on equity and whether or not it is currently a good time to sell or expand their real estate investment portfolio. Well-maintained relationships are an excellent source for word-of-mouth referrals and can continue to generate business for you for years to come.
Always Look Presentable
We’re in the UAE and it’s hot. Professionalism is key to developing strong client relationships and securing deals. Part of being a professional estate agent is dressing appropriately. This does not mean wearing branded suits and dresses but rather, wearing neat and well-pressed attire, even if it is a simple, casual outfit.
During the peak of summer, be mindful of the heat; staying outdoors for a long period of time will quickly diminish the professional appearance of your clothes.
Remember, a sloppy agent is an instant red flag for clients. We suggest keeping an extra set of ironed clothes in your car or going home midday to change if you live close to where you work.
Invest In An Ice Cooler For Your Car
As a real estate agent, you are always on the move. From going to the office, picking up clients and visiting new developments, you likely spend a lot of time in your car. A pro tip for the summer is investing in an ice cooler for your back seat and keeping it stocked with cold beverages. While driving clients to property viewings, offer them a nice cool beverage. Genius isn’t it? Not only are you helping your clients stay refreshed but you are also delivering fantastic customer service. Clients will see that you appreciate their business and that you take your real estate business very seriously.
Prepare A Back-To-School Strategy
If you target families, summer is the perfect time to implement a back-to-school strategy. Many new expat families move to Dubai during the summer to prepare for the school year. Use this opportunity to highlight summer camps, schools and extracurricular activities for kids in your area of specialisation. This will help you connect with families in the area as soon as they move in and start building a relationship at an early stage.
You’re all set for the summer! If you are interested in more resources to help you grow as a real estate agent, check out our Content Corner, where we have a wide range of real estate articles.