By Marissa Sainz, July 30, 2021
While my career in real estate has been fun and exciting, there have been hurdles nonetheless! I’ve learned from experience, the more you put into your work, the more you receive from it. Through it all, I have found the majority of my success comes down to authenticity, communication, and transparency.
Even in a crazy market like the one we are experiencing now, the more effort you put towards education and hands-on experience, the more prepared you are for any client situation in any market state! BONUS: Stick around at the end of this blog and check out my top resources for women in real estate and finance!
Selling with Authenticity
In real estate, there is the stigma, and in many cases, the reflective reality that we are super, sales-focused people — we want to close the deal and get our clients into their dream home! This is true, but there’s a huge difference between selling for the benefit of your client and pushing a sale for the sake of yourself. In my experience, authenticity means doing everything for the benefit of the client — I am but the facilitator. All it takes is changing your mindset from salesperson to consultant. Trust me, your clients will know when you have an authentic interest in their story and home buying journey.
One major takeaway from this year is…invest in relationships! More important than an individual sale are the connections you make along the way. Relationships with contractors, stagers, photographers, and (of course) clients will support the long-term growth of your career. So many of my clients this year have been repeat clients or referrals. My most recent closing was for a previous client’s sister — the whole family showed up to the showing!
Find Marketing Systems That Work for You
While we spend so much time online, it’s not necessarily enough to be visible online… you have to engage with your online community. Social media engagement and email marketing are major spheres of my marketing success.
Social media presents an opportunity to connect with hundreds of clients at the palm of our hands. However, competition is equally fierce with the number of real estate agents and brokers across platforms. The first step is narrowing down exactly who your potential client is — what are their interests and needs, and what platforms might they utilize most often. How can you form an emotional connection with your demographic online? Wrapping back to authenticity, maintain an authentic self on your platforms. My accounts are an opportunity to showcase my dream homes, chat about the market, and show off my lovely clients.
Email marketing allows for more control of your audience. Unlike social media, I appreciate knowing exactly who my marketing is reaching and who is engaging with my emails. With an email marketing software, you can easily see how many subscribers are opening your emails and engaging with links. I’ve found email marketing has allowed me to forge and nurture long-lasting relationships with clients by building trust before the home buying/selling process has even begun!
Above both of these, word of mouth is a realtor’s biggest asset. When prior clients chat with their family, friends, or leave a review about their experience buying a home with me, those reviews are coming from a trustworthy source. A potential client is far more likely to work with a realtor if their loved one raved about them!
Communication is the Foundation of Trust!
I have found immense value in building a foundation of trust from the get-go. Being open, transparent, and communicative leaves clients feeling comfortable and informed every step of the way. My clients have especially appreciated sitting down and chatting about the market — average home price by neighborhood, current inventory, and competition. My main concern boils down to my clients feeling informed and at ease.
Even more important is being present and available to listen to client wants, needs, and concerns, ensuring they feel heard. Find out their preferred mode of communication and start off every meeting with an open discussion — how are they feeling? Are there any concerns to address before moving forward?
I’m sure I am not alone: in 2021 I expect transparency from the smallest transactions. When we order food to be delivered or place an Amazon order, we can track the exact location of our order or a tee. I’m guiding people through (possibly) one of the largest transactions of their lives. Any opportunity to create clarity and ease anxious nerves is a win!
My real estate journey has been a journey — ups and downs; successes and mishaps! I have learned firsthand how to set my business and every client up for success. Check out these resources and organizations that have contributed to my success and that push me towards continual growth!
CREW: Women in Commercial Real Estate, Portland — CREW has networks throughout the country, but Portland’s chapter is especially fantastic for mentoring! If you are just entering your real estate career or looking for guidance on the market, CREW will set you up with a personal mentor.
Women’s Council of Realtor, Portland — Amazing resource for networking! Check out their event calendar. In-person events in Portland are finally back in full swing.
Women in Insurance and Financial Services — Opportunities to connect with women in finance from across the US
National Association of Realtors – Amazing research and resources for Realtor and home buyers.
National Association of Realtors – Amazing research and resources for Realtor and home buyers.
Marissa Sainz
Broker | Earth Advantage | OR
She/Her
Whether you want to live in a hip Pearl District condo or a unique east side bungalow I am here to help you find the perfect home.
The Pearl District and the close in surrounding neighborhoods are exciting and evolving areas and where I focus my business.
It is important in our changing real estate world, where location is so vital to home buyers, to work with a neighborhood expert. We all want to live near our local grocery store and within walking distance of our favorite coffee spot, restaurants and parks.
I am here to guide buyers and sellers through the process every step of the way, if you are a first time home buyer searching for the perfect starter home or looking to move as your family and lifestyle change.
Marissa earned a degree in finance with a concentration in real estate from The University of Texas at Austin. Before coming to residential real estate in Portland Marissa worked for both a national and local commercial real estate firm. Around town Marissa is involved with the Women in Insurance and Financial Services Portland chapter as well as the Women's Council of REALTORS®.
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- T: 512-736-6111
- marissa@livingroomre.com
