The Ultimate Strategy For Winning Your Real Estate Listing Presentations in 2024
How many listings have you won this year?
If you’d like that number to be bigger, you should put more thought into your listing presentations.
A poorly executed presentation can result in losing a listing, but a great one can help you secure new ones. In this article, we’re sharing the key steps for building your most effective listing presentation to grow your real estate business.
Key Takeaways:
- An impressive listing presentation is a crucial first impression. It’s one of the only chances for real estate agents to share their expertise and market knowledge.
- Your listing presentation needs to answer common questions. Include robust pricing strategies, marketing tactics, and comparable market information. Share your differentiators and what sets you apart from other agents.
- You will encounter some pushback, but there’s a good way to handle it. Keep reading for some brief scripts on how to deal with the most common objections to listing presentations.
What is a real estate listing presentation and why is it important?
A listing presentation in real estate is a formal presentation given to a potential seller or property owner to convince them to hire you to sell their property. The presentation typically includes an overview of your qualifications and experience, a comparative market analysis (CMA) that shows how the property compares to similar properties in the area and a marketing plan for selling the property.
You may also provide information on your company and team, as well as any special services or resources you may want to offer. The purpose of the listing presentation is to impress the potential client and persuade them to sign a listing agreement, giving you the green light to sell their property.
Listing presentations are a crucial part of a real estate agent’s business. This is where agents can showcase their expertise, marketing knowledge, and selling propositions to potential clients. A great presentation will also establish trust and credibility, positioning the agent as a leader in the industry and someone to be counted on. It’s one of the most valuable first impressions you can make.
Preparing for a successful presentation
An effective presentation requires a lot of thought and planning. Follow these steps as you prepare to share your listing presentation with potential clients.
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Research the market and the property.
You can’t share insightful information you aren’t educated on – and the prospect you’re talking to will spot that. Take the time to conduct thorough market research on current trends, marketing conditions, and pricing in the area.
You’ll also want to analyze the specific property you’re discussing. Learn about its features, the location, and any other particular information. Use that information to go over the selling points of the property. Identify the target audience so you can explain that information as well.
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Gather all necessary information and documents.
Make sure all of your proverbial ducks are in a row. Have any relevant documents prepared and printed. Consider things like deeds, property disclosures, recent appraisals, etc. Try to get information about any homeowner association and property taxes. Have everything compiled in a nice folder with additional copies for the owner.
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Create a compelling presentation template.
Even the best information won’t be impressive in a presentation that looks like your child put together. Find a professional template to use for your presentations. Include your logo, company color scheme, and consistent fonts. Make sure to start things off with an engaging cover page.
Delivering a successful presentation
The big day is here! Wow future clients by following these steps.
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Dress professionally and arrive prepared.
Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Give yourself plenty of time to get put together, have your documents in order, and arrive a few minutes early.
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Establish rapport with the seller.
Relationships are at the heart of a successful real estate business. Establish a connection with the seller and show genuine interest in their needs and concerns. Listen intently to what they’re telling you and do what you can to increase their comfort.
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Highlight your expertise and market knowledge.
This is arguably the most important piece. Potential sellers want to do business with real estate agents who know the area, have connections, and can do the job. This is where you can share what sets you apart from other agents and display your impressive experience in the area.
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Present your strategies for selling the property.
Another key element of your listing presentation is explaining how you will sell the property – as quickly as possible. Sellers don’t want this process to drag on; they want to hear exactly what you’ll do to move this property effectively. Share your marketing plans, the channels you’ll use, and your approach to pricing, staging, and open houses.
Essential components to include in your presentation
Just what should be included in an effective listing presentation?
Property overview and features
Show the potential client that you’ve done your research by sharing specific information on the key features of the home. What are the things that excite you, and how do they pertain to what buyers want?
Comparative market analysis
It’s not enough to know the property – you need to understand the area around it. Which houses have sold recently, and what did they go for? If one has been on the market for a while, can you explain why? Pull recent data on appraisals and other facts about the market. Show potential sellers that no one knows this neighborhood better than you.
Marketing plan and strategies
A great listing presentation has detailed marketing tactics. What are the various platforms and campaigns you’ll rely on to promote the home? Include ideas like online listings, social media advertising, targeted emails, signage and print, etc. Talk about how you’ll highlight the home’s unique features and showcase it to potential buyers, including:
- Virtual tours
- High-definition photography
- 3D floor plans and property scans
- Social media marketing
- Property videos
To get smarter on marketing, follow our blog for posts on real estate ads, building your real estate lead generation website, and which real estate marketing tools you’ll need.
You can also learn how to build a successful social media strategy, or even a refresher on real estate marketing ideas.
Your track record and success stories
Research tells us that a real estate agent’s prior experience is a good indicator of their success. Consumers know that the skill and experience of their agent could make a difference in selling their home. In your listing presentation, don’t be shy about sharing your success. Let potential sellers know what you’ve accomplished in the area and what your unique skills are.
In particular, include facts like:
- Your sales compared to the market average
- The average number of days your listings stay on the market
- Your year-over-year sales growth
- Your conversion rate of listed properties to sold properties
Testimonials from previous clients
Few things are as powerful as hearing from actual clients. Obtaining reviews or testimonials from past clients is always a great idea. Then you can use them in your listing presentation, marketing materials, or website. These testimonials add a layer of credibility and reassurance for the seller.
Tips for standing out from the competition
Did you know there are over 1.6 million real estate agents in the country? It’s no wonder it can feel like you’re up against heavy competition. Setting yourself apart is a key aspect of building your business.
Showcase your unique selling proposition.
Your success record is important. Sellers want to know you’ve done this before and for similar homes. Why did your last client choose you? Explain why someone should work with you instead of another real estate agent.
Use visuals and multimedia effectively.
People have short attention spans – just more than 8 seconds. Use your presentation to capture attention ASAP, and keep sellers engaged. For example, consider creating a map that highlights your past sales activity. Do your staged homes sell 30% faster and closer to the list price than market averages? Let your prospects know with some simple charts.
Offer creative marketing ideas.
Differentiate yourself by coming up with some creative and innovative strategies. For example, propose partnering with a local business for a bigger open house, or talk about local influencers you could collaborate with.
Provide a comprehensive pricing strategy.
This part is crucial because it will directly impact the success of selling the property. Explain your reasoning for setting a price, including market conditions, comparable properties, unique features, etc.
You’ll also want to have a candid discussion with potential clients about the importance of pricing. Help them to understand why pricing the house competitively is their best chance for attracting buyers, and why continuously lowering the price can hurt them. The comparative market analysis (CMA) you created can be a valuable tool in this conversation.
Overcoming seller objections
No matter how amazing your presentation is, you’re going to be met with objections sometimes. Here are some common ones to expect, and how to deal with them.
Addressing pricing concerns
At some point, you’re likely to hear something like “I’ve spoken to other real estate agents, and they tell me I could get XYZ.”
To start with, address their concerns with empathy and understanding. Then point to your own extensive experience and assure them. You could say something like: “I understand your concerns, and I appreciate you sharing candid feedback with me. However, I want to assure you that I’ve done extensive research and analysis of the current market conditions and comparable properties in your area. Based on that analysis, I believe that the price we’ve discussed is both fair and competitive.
You could also add: “It’s important to remember that while some real estate agents may promise a higher price, it’s not always realistic or achievable. My goal is to provide you with an accurate valuation and to help you sell your home for the best possible price in the current market. I’m committed to working with you to achieve your goals and to keep you informed every step of the way.”
Handling objections about the commission
In this discussion, you need to emphasize value. Start by reminding the seller of all the services you provide as part of the process: marketing, negotiating, paperwork, and handling difficult buyers. Emphasize that your commission is based on your performance and success in selling the property. You only get paid when the house sells, so sellers can be sure that you’re doing everything in your power to move the home at the right price.
Dealing with competition
If you’ve done a good job highlighting your knowledge and track record, and you’ve included plenty of testimonials or other social proof, this conversation should flow naturally.
Begin by saying “I understand that you’ve been talking to other agents, and I appreciate you taking the time to share that information with me. It’s always helpful to have different perspectives. I want to reiterate why so many clients have decided to work with me over the years…”
Speak with an industry expert agent advisor. Together we will find the best solution based on your goals and needs.
Steps to take after a successful presentation
You’re not off the hook yet. The time it takes to complete some simple follow-up steps can be the difference in securing the client.
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Follow up promptly and professionally.
You want to follow up shortly after you meet the seller. Take a few moments once you’re back in front of your device to write a genuine thank you note. You may even want to write a handwritten card as well. Set reminders to personally call them in the next few days, and then again in a week.
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Negotiate and finalize the listing agreement.
Ideally, you’ll soon move into this phase. Complete this step quickly, and walk the seller through the paperwork. Answer any questions and ensure they understand and agree with the terms before signing. The simpler you can make this process for your new clients, the better.
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Implement your marketing plan.
Remember all those clever plans you shared with the seller? Now it’s time to put your playbook into action. Review your marketing plan with the seller and begin lining up the staging, photography, property descriptions, etc. You don’t want to rush so much that you’re careless, but moving quickly will assure your new sellers that you mean business.
Remember, the key to a successful listing presentation is to be professional, prepared, and confident. By following these steps and customizing your presentation to the specific property and potential seller, you can increase your chances of winning the listing and successfully selling the property.
And don’t forget, we have guides on the ins and outs of the topics you need to know to be a successful real estate agent (like real estate website builders, real estate lead generation companies, or a well-designed real estate CRM). You can also try looking for a real estate mentor to help you make a difference in growing your business.