| Farming
using the Internet |
| The Internet has permanently impacted the way we all do business and access information. This is very evident when it comes to gathering information for a geographic farm area. There are 2 steps involved. First is gathering the information necessary to effectively monitor the area you are focusing on. Second is the organization of the information you gather initially and during the farming process. |
| Why a Geographic Farm? |
| There are many bbenefits to a geographic farm. If you consider that in the average market a house will be sold every seven years, then a geographic farm of 500 homes will result in 71+ new listings in that area every year. If you farm diligently, you will get at least 33% of the listings in your area. That means at least 20 listings per year that you can count on. The nature of the prospects is the best part, they usually call you because you are the local expert. So here's how to use the Internet to gather the information necessary to get started. Put it all in a book you can carry around. |
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Pre-Contact Activities
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Contact
Activities |
Gather Property Data
- Usually at the county level, you can go to your AgentsPlanet city page and click on the county assessor link to access property information.
Click here to see a sample.
Get all the area Phone Numbers -
Go to the AgentsPlanet Reverse Directories page and search by the addresses (streets).
Click here to see a sample
Get maps for the area. If you use Mapquest, you can get both regular maps and aerial maps.
Click here to see a sample
Design contact schedule. Door knocking, phone calling and mailers should be used to help brand your name. It also helps to have a quality slogan or theme.
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Door Knocking - The best way to start establishing yourself in a geographic farm. It helps you see the details of the area as well as meet people face to face.
Mail deliverers have great insideinfo.
Calling - The best way to get the most contacts and to follow up on the door knocking.
Mailings - Avoid letters of introduction. They make it seem that you are new to the area. Mail pieces that make it seem like you've been around for awhile.
Use postcards to market listings or just sold properties. They guarantee some exposure of the picture of the home as well as save you money.
Use your website as the center of all of this activity. Create a page that has links to local resources and have the link on all of your advertisements in order to get them to go to your website constantly.
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| Key Relationships to forge |
Mail Deliverers - Offer them a discount on buying or selling a home in exchange for leads. You can also give them gift certificates of a limited amount. Check with your State's division (See AgentsPlanet's Government page for division links) to see what the limitations for your jurisdiction.
Local Hardware Store owner - They know who is working on what. Sometimes they have insights on who is planning to move.
Local Grocery Store Manager - Offer to put a link for their store info.
on your website and in your new owner kit in exchange for a home flyer in every bag. Ask for leads from the employees.
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