Before you can get started as a real estate writer, there are some things you need to know. The first is that there’s no one right way to become a real estate writer. You can start by posting listings on Craigslist, or by buying and selling your own property. Or, if you don’t have time for that but do have the wherewithal to write well and learn quickly, then this guide will help!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the real estate market. |
| 2. Research property types and trends. |
| 3. Familiarize yourself with property jargon. |
| 4. Develop strong writing and editing skills. |
| 5. Learn about property marketing techniques. |
| 6. Understand the importance of visuals. |
| 7. Know your target audience. |
| 8. Study different types of real estate content. |
| 9. Master the art of crafting compelling headlines. |
| 10. Stay updated with industry news and regulations. |
| 11. Network with real estate professionals. |
| 12. Learn about SEO for real estate writing. |
| 13. Embrace a consistent writing schedule. |
| 14. Understand the role of data in real estate. |
| 15. Continuously refine your writing style. |
Check Out The Mls Before You Write About Any Homes
Before you start writing about homes, it’s important to understand what MLS stands for. MLS is a database of homes for sale. It’s also a listing service and it’s not just for real estate agents: real estate brokers have access too.
The acronym stands for Multiple Listing Service, and it’s the most widely used source of data when it comes to selling property in the United States and Canada.
If you’re venturing into the world of real estate writing, it’s crucial to understand the basics of real estate writing. This knowledge forms the foundation for crafting compelling content that resonates with your audience.
Check Out The Real Estate Market
The first thing you should do is check out the real estate market. You can do this by looking at listings on MLS (Multiple Listing Service), checking out homes that have sold in your area, and seeing what’s not selling.
For example, if a home has been on the market for six months with no offers and it was just listed again for a higher price, you’ll know why: the seller is waiting for an offer to come along from someone who thinks it could be worth more than what they paid.
Another thing to look out for when researching is how long each listing has been up. If a house has been listed for over 90 days without getting any offers, then there might be something wrong with it like maybe it needs major renovations or repairs before anyone will buy it.
Write About Homes That Meet Your Criteria
The first thing to do is make sure you can afford the home. This means not only that it doesn’t cost more than what you’re earning, but also that you have enough money for closing costs and repairs.
You’ll likely need extra cash to pay for utilities while living in the home as well this can be a big chunk of change if your new place has no insulation or enough power outlets to support all of your devices at once!
Successful real estate blogging requires more than just putting words on a page. Dive into the realm of learning and mastering real estate blogging to discover valuable insights and techniques to engage readers effectively.
Know The Market So You Don’t Waste Time Listing Unsold Properties
When writing a real estate ad, it’s important to know the market so that you don’t waste time listing unsold properties. One of the best ways to do this is by comparing a home to those in its immediate vicinity. For example:
This home has a patio and an upstairs loft with vaulted ceilings; many other homes for sale in this neighborhood don’t have these features.
In comparison to previous listings, this house has been on the market for almost half as long without selling (and at more than twice its asking price).
Compared with recent sales of comparable homes in your area, this property is priced significantly lower than most others currently being listed on MLS even though it boasts unique features such as custom woodwork throughout!
Learn To Think Like A Buyer And Be Aware Of What They’re Looking For
Buyers want to know what they’re getting into. They want to know how much the property will cost, how long it will take to close, and how much they can afford. As a writer, you should be able to provide this information in your listings.
Also keep in mind that buyers are looking for different things than sellers are. For example, sellers may not care too much about whether or not there’s carpeting throughout the home because they probably don’t plan on living there after they sell (unless they have kids).
But if you’re selling a house with carpeted floors and especially if it’s not in great condition buyers might have an issue with this (or at least consider it).
Find Properties Worth Writing About
Before you can get started, you need properties worth writing about. Here are some of the most important things to look for:
Unique or interesting properties that haven’t been written about before. Look at real estate listings, articles in your local paper, and social media posts for ideas.
Properties in good locations. For example, if you live in a major city like New York or San Francisco where there are lots of other agents trying to sell homes each month, it’s going to be harder for anyone to stand out so keep your eye out for areas with less competition.
Recently renovated properties (or those with a lot of potential). Renovations give houses a boost in value and they’re also easier to write about since they already have several different angles that could be covered by the writer:
How much was spent on renovations; what upgrades were made; how long it took from start-to-finish; etcetera and these aren’t just limited to houses or condos: many townhomes are being renovated as well!
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Learn How To Do Photo Editing
Learn to use Adobe Lightroom. This photo editing software is the best for editing your photos, and it’s what most real estate photographers use. It’s also a great tool for beginners because it has preset features that can help you get started right away.
Use a good camera. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a DSLR camera; any basic point-and-shoot will do! Just make sure that the photos you take are crisp and detailed enough so that they show off your home in its best light (pun intended).
Use a tripod. Taking pictures using your iPhone doesn’t count here you need something sturdy like this Manfrotto Tripod with Ball Head & Case ($15).
The key here is to keep the angle consistent so that when people scroll through their feed later on down the line, it looks like one continuous shot rather than multiple shots stuck together haphazardly. This helps buyers quickly identify which properties interest them without having to click through each one individually!
Don’t Rely On Your Own Photos
I’m sure you’re thinking, “But I have a great camera. Are you saying I can’t take photos?”
No! That’s not what I’m saying at all. You absolutely can take your own photos and they may be just as good as those in the MLS to begin with.
But once they are uploaded to the site, they’ll be resized down to fit on the page, so even if your photo is perfect before resizing, it will lose some of its quality when it goes live on your listing. As a result, we recommend using pictures that come directly from MLS listings or are taken by professional photographers.
Determine Who’s Going To Be Buying The House And Rewrite The Listing To Speak Directly To Them
The first step in understanding your audience is knowing what type of homebuyer they are: an investor, someone who’s looking for a primary residence or someone who wants an alternative investment property.
The second step is knowing what kind of buyer each type will be. Is this person looking for a home in the suburbs? Or would they rather live downtown? Once you’ve identified characteristics such as these, it will be easier for you to write more effective copy that speaks directly to their needs and wants (and pain points).
Don’t Make Assumptions About How Readers Will Read Your Writing
One of the most important things you should know as a real estate writer is that it’s complicated. There are many layers to your work, and every layer has its own challenges and opportunities. The first layer is the worst one: content creation.
You have to write good articles with an eye toward SEO, but also make sure they’re readable and free from errors, which takes time and effort. The second layer is writing at a more strategic level you’ll have to think about what topics will draw in readers, how often you need to post new content, where those posts should go on your website it’s all very complex!
But here’s something else that’s complex: people who read what you write! As writers ourselves (and self-professed nerds).
We like thinking about language how words interact with each other; how sentences flow together into paragraphs that build on one another until finally creating meaning for readers; how punctuation can strengthen or weaken an argument; how the way we use language can shape history itself.
But how do people actually understand these linguistic layers? What happens when they encounter an article without seeing everything laid out explicitly stated right there before them?
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Put Yourself In The Shoes Of Other People Who Might Want To Buy Your Listing
If you’re writing buyer copy, put yourself in the shoes of other people who might want to buy your listing. Ask yourself: what do they need to know?
What are their goals and objectives? What are their needs and concerns?
How should I present information so that it’s relevant for them? How can I show how this property will help them reach those goals and objectives?
Remember that people don’t read like computers or robots; they don’t understand everything on the first pass. The more familiar you become with the buyer persona, the better equipped you’ll be able to speak directly to its needs and in turn, connect with potential buyers through your writing!
For Information On This Topic, See This Blog Post
I’m sure you know this, but just in case: Real estate writing is a highly competitive field that requires decades of experience and a commensurate amount of talent. If you’re looking to get started quickly, here are some resources that will help:
Blog post with tips for getting started as a real estate writer. I wrote this post specifically with beginners in mind, so it should give you an idea of what your journey will look like and where to go from here.
Article on how long it takes to become a successful real estate writer. This article delves into the specifics of what it takes to build up your skills as well as offers some advice about how long it might take before you can expect success (spoiler alert: not very long).
Book by Robert Bruss on how he became one of America’s top real estate writers over the course of 15 years.
The book shares everything he learned along the way from working with experts at their offices during college breaks all the way up until becoming editor-in-chief at Inman News Inc., which publishes Daily Real Estate News & Deals every day! It’s an inspiring read if ever there was one and now available as an audiobook too!
Crafting compelling real estate copy is an art that requires refinement. Discover 15 ways to improve your real estate copywriting and elevate your writing skills to effectively communicate property features and benefits.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to start your journey as a real estate writer, we hope this article has given you some helpful tips. If you have questions about writing or want more advice from the experts, feel free to contact us at any time! We can’t wait to see what kinds of stories will unfold in front of our eyes as more people discover their love for this exciting career path.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can provide you with further insights into the world of real estate writing:
New Real Estate Agents: A Guide to Jumpstart Your Career Short Description: Learn essential tips and strategies to kickstart your real estate career successfully as a new agent.
15 Must-Have Skills for Successful Real Estate Agents Short Description: Discover the key skills that every real estate agent should possess to excel in the competitive industry.
Growing Your Real Estate Business: Tips and Strategies Short Description: Explore effective methods for expanding and scaling your real estate business for long-term success.
FAQs
What are the crucial skills for a real estate agent?
Real estate agents need a diverse set of skills, including effective communication, negotiation prowess, market knowledge, and client relationship building.
How can new real estate agents establish themselves in the industry?
New real estate agents can build a strong foundation by networking, learning from experienced agents, focusing on continuing education, and leveraging online platforms.
What are some effective strategies for growing a real estate business?
Growing a real estate business involves nurturing client relationships, harnessing online marketing techniques, staying updated with market trends, and providing exceptional customer service.
How important is content creation for real estate professionals?
Content creation plays a vital role in establishing expertise, building an online presence, and engaging with potential clients in the real estate industry.
What resources are available for real estate agents to improve their business skills?
Real estate agents can access various online platforms, workshops, webinars, and industry publications to enhance their business skills and stay competitive in the field.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.