Home stagers must learn how to make connections in real estate in order to succeed. Stagers are part of a real estate marketing industry and this sector consists of sales people, brokers, attorneys, property inspectors and contractors. All of these professions are needed by people who buy, sell and rent property. If you want your staging business to do well, you MUST make connections to these related professions and learn how you can create mutually beneficial relationships that help everyone (including, and especially, your clients) to win.
This post helps stagers to form the connections they will need to succeed in the real estate industry. I will offer helpful tips on networking, creating bonds and finding ways to work together to create sustainable profitability long-term.
How to Make Connections in Real Estate with Agents and Brokers
Most sellers and buyers will make their initial connections in real estate with an agent or broker. These property professionals will be incredibly influential with sellers, buyers and renters more than any other. Therefore, these are also the people you will need to connect with if you are going to make it as a home stager.
Actively look for opportunities to connect with these people, but be very considerate of their time. Agents and brokers are notoriously busy and DO NOT like to be ambushed by surprise visits when they are working with clients. Additionally, established agents are very likely to already have people they use for home staging services. Therefore, when starting out, you may want to focus on new agents who are also looking to make lasting connections and earn their referrals.
You can go to open houses and take just a moment to introduce yourself and leave some info about your services. Make sure to tell the agent that you are open to all manner of work relationship arrangements and are willing to help them to better succeed in their goals in order to earn their help in attaining your business goals. The best way to woo an agent is to make their job easier… In essence help them to sell or rent quicker and for more money and you will be a hit!
How to Make Connections with Attorneys, Contractors and Inspectors
Related real estate pros are not as important as agents and brokers when it comes to connections for home stagers. However, that does not mean that they should be ignored. Many sellers (especially experienced sellers) will consult with their attorney, contractor and possibly an inspector (if concerned about issues or if buying more property for themselves) during their own sale process.
If you can connect with these related trades, then you can pick up the occasional referral and recommendation that may get you work. More importantly, you will become well known in the greater real estate community and gain legitimacy through familiarity and networking opportunities.
Get good at striking up conversations with these people whenever you can. You never know how you might be able to work together for mutual benefit. These people also know that home stagers tend to work with property sellers directly more often before the attorney, contractor or inspector gets involved. Therefore, you have the power to help recommend them in exchange for their help. This is leverage in your favor, so be sure to utilize it often!
How to Make Connections in Real Estate and Profit
In business, you scratch my back, I scratch yours. This is the age old recipe for success. No business is an island. You need allies if you are to grow. If you want to grow quickly and without spending a fortune on advertising, then these allies will be absolutely essential!
Thought and effort goes a long way with experienced, good people. If you can not afford some avenues of growth as a new business owner, take advantage of what you do have to invest: your time, your sweat equity, and your ideas. If you can prove your worth, the money will follow. This is for sure. Good people want other good people to succeed. It is a simple law of society. Therefore, invest in quality relationships with good people and these relationships will pay dividends for years to come.
