Agent Improvement Brief #1 (AIB) - Stats is Facts

I've been busy studying studying studying for my Real Estate exam. (I'm really kicking myself for not keeping up with my education requirements.) While I love learning about riparian rights and agency law (wink wink), I like to take some time out regularly to keep up with the trends and news dealing with the real estate market. 

And now its time for an Agent Improvement Brief

One of the many lessons that I plan to implement from my Post-License course is that STATS is FACTS. Meaning, they make you, the agent, look like you know what the heck you're talkin' about.You can find these stats a number of different ways and all for FREE (we like to say complimentary in the sales world)!! So look for stats weekly, if not daily. Shout out to Tripp Anderson, my awesome and knowledgeable post-license instructor for introducing this habit to into my agent development plan. Statistics used to be the bane of my existence, thanks to a brush with them in a college math course. (Everytime I think about that course I shudder.) However, now I consider statistics my friend. Hi statistics! Let's get together for coffee soon. Call me. 

Statistics are extremely easy to find and manipulate into scripts and dialogs to be used to showcase your expertise as an exceptional agent. That's what we all want to be, right? Recently, while perusing Tom Ferry's blog he had a link to the 2010 NAR Profile of Buyers and Sellers. Don't you just love when people share? This report is chock full of juicy and timely stats that can be used to help us as agents in a number of ways. You can use it to better tailor your marketing strategy, use it to beef up your scripts to overcome objections, or just use it because it makes you sound smart. So folks, just for reading (and hopefully subscribing to) my blog today. You get... wait for it... wait for it... the link to the NAR report for the  low low price of... FREE (or complimentary)!!! You can find it all here. While you're there, check out Tom's website and his video posts. Tom may not be everyone's cuppa tea, but he sure helps keep me motivated. 

But wait there's more! (in my annoying infomercial guy voice) You can find stats in a number of places. I get the Sunday paper every week which usually has some good juicy stats. Check out your local TV news websites for stats. Read magazines and books that have stats.Treat stats like a Where's Waldo book and go crazy looking for them everywhere. Look for stats in the daytime with a flashlight.  Have a ball! Here's a few free (complimentary) ones I picked up from the NAR report I just put you on to: 

Single female sellers accounted for 2.5 times more than single male sellers in the latest NAR report. So this may be a great niche market to target.

A great script: "83% of sellers who priced their home right sold  in less than 2 weeks. While sellers who ended up having to reduce their asking price at least one time spent 4 times as long on the market. So if you want to sell your home quickly, price it right the first time."

 I challenge you Real Estate professionals out there to find some stats and incorporate them into your business in a creative and useful way. Let me know what you were able to come up with. Remember, I shared with you, now return the favor. Tag! You're it!