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Phone: 979-693-0201 Email: [email protected]

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

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Old vs. New Ways of Doing Business in Real Estate

May 23, 2018 by Myke Leatham

Some things never change, but fortunately in the real estate world a lot has evolved in the way business is done. It used to be that MLS published listings in a book and there was no such thing as an online listing. Today, instead of cold calling, we cold-email. These are just a few of the things that have changed in doing business in real estate. Let’s take a deep dive into all the ways the business of real estate has changed over time.

Agents Don’t Prospect By Telephone as Often

Many agents are not choosing to pick up the phone and cold call anymore, they are instead reaching out via email. This has helped improve the process of cold calling because prospects can return an email at their leisure rather than having to catch someone at the right time by calling. Real estate agents can spend less time on the phone and more time closing deals all thanks to the wonderful system of emailing. Prospecting can also be done via email campaigns, which can also be tracked to see results such as open rates and click through rates, which can help agents weed out cold leads. 

Communication is Automated

Many agents are using drip email campaigns to stay in contact with prospects and clients. This is an efficient way to stay on top of communication, but it may also hinder true relationship building because automated communication limits face-to-face communication. Because consumers demand immediate responses to communication, the real estate industry is being pushed to automate these communication processes in order to provide timely responses. In the past, there was no communicating with prospects and clients via text messaging or social media, but now these are highly utilized forms of communicating and fewer and fewer agents and consumers are making actual phone calls. 

There is More Available Information

With the internet, consumers can now find all the information they could ever want, making it harder for real estate agents to prove their value because they have to find a value add that cannot be found on the internet. The interpretation of this information is what the real estate agent must now use as leverage for sales pitches. Real estate investors can now see all of the information on a home online and take virtual tours and put in an offer without ever stepping foot in the home. The Internet has truly changed the way real estate works by allowing for consumers to gather information with the help of a realtor. Remember – just because the consumer has the information doesn’t mean that they have the tools to make the best financial decision.

Real Estate Agents Have Become Marketers

The most successful real estate agents have become their own marketing machines. They know how to properly price and position listings for maximum exposure. Real estate agents can no longer just list a property; they must market the listing. Any agent can list a property on MLS, but successful real estate agents know how to market. Agents are now creating email drip campaigns to send out to prospects and clients, creating home flyers and utilizing social media to help boost the exposure of their listings. LinkedIn is a prime platform for marketing both properties and agents themselves as it allows them to post relevant articles and give commentary to establish a strong digital presence. 

Transactions Are Being Done Over Text

With so many millennials buying homes, the way transactions are being done is changing. For decades, a phone call has been a real estate agent’s primary tool of the trade, but now consumers prefer to handle transactions via text rather than phone calls. It isn’t just this younger generation that prefers text either; older generations are also beginning to prefer to handle communication via email, text and social media. With this change in how transactions are being handled, realtors need to establish a mode of communication that works best for the buyer so that they can receive quick responses. Apps such as DocuSign are also making it easier to streamline the process because all legal documents can be signed on mobile devices without having to deal with all of the hefty paperwork like in the past. 

Greater Emphasis on Customer Service

With the Internet comes the opportunity for clients to write reviews about their experience working with the agent, which means that realtors need to put a greater emphasis on customer service. Clients expect realtors to be their partner during the process of buying or selling their home and want their realtor to be able to answer any and all questions. The competition is fierce for realtors so it is crucial that they are the market experts. 

Social Media is a Game Changer

Social media has truly changed the real estate game because it provides an opportunity for agents to interact with buyers and prospects more efficiently. This also presents unique challenges because it is an added time commitment. Agents now have to ensure that they are engaging with buyers on social media to help make them feel like they are a part of their business. Social media is a great way to offer insight and market knowledge to connections, peers and prospects and to help establish market dominance. 

Real Estate Agents Can Accomplish More

Technology has allowed real estate agents to do so much more. Smartphones allow agents to now provide information and status updates, set schedules for open houses and showings and so much more while out in the field. Agents are no longer chained to their desks or a computer; they just need a device that has Internet access. Due to mobile activity skyrocketing, real estate agencies are investing in technology and tools that support agents with online marketing strategies. 

Other technological advances assisting real estate agents include:

  • Cloud-based info storage security
  • Improved functionality utilizing enterprise software
  • More reliable communication applications
  • Greater coverage and lower costs for high-speed internet access, cell service, and Wi-Fi
  • Online marketplaces that coordinate connections between agents, brokers, sellers, buyers, renters, and investors

Homes are Selling Faster

The home buying and selling processes are moving faster because now consumers are having their first “showing” on the Internet rather than in person. Now, real estate agents aren’t wasting time taking buyers to homes that they have not seen yet and it is cutting down a lot of the time spent trying to narrow down the options. In the past, agents have had to spend time taking buyers to lots of homes and showings just to be able to cross those homes off the list. The Internet is accelerating the process and helping agents close more deals in shorter time periods. 

Renting is Becoming More Popular

Consumers are more open to renting homes due to the roller coaster of values home are seeing. Down payment requirements are deterring younger generations from purchasing homes and changing the real estate market as a whole. More multifamily units are being built and this is affecting the prices of homes on the market. 

Reputation Management is Crucial

Decades ago, word of mouth was one of the easiest ways to gain new business, but now real estate agents have to ensure that their reputation online is of the utmost standards. One bad review could affect future business. This is why it is so important for agents to make sure that their clients are satisfied with their work. Another way to manage reputation is to utilize testimonials and showcase them on the agents’ blogs and websites. 

The old way of doing real estate is no more. Technology has overcome almost every aspect of this business by streamlining processes, changing the way we communicate and helping to provide ways for agents the work outside of the office. While agents are utilizing the new ways of doing business in real estate and thankfully being able to avoid the dreaded cold calling via telephone, technology is also putting more on their place. Social media has added a new element to the game as consumers often look at social media to help them determine which agents to work with and expect to communicate with agents via these platforms. 

Let Us Help You Buy Or Sell Your Home in College Station

Thinking of buying or selling a home? Do you just want to know what your home’s current market value is? Myke Leatham looks forward to lending you our market expertise with no obligation, or we can schedule a home evaluation. We want the entire home buying or selling process to be enjoyable and easy. We are committed to ensuring that all of your real estate needs are met. Browse the website to check out listings, find tips on buying and selling homes and just to learn about the amazing area of College Station and why we love to call the city home. 

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Category: Blog

About Myke Leatham

I’m so glad you found me – your College Station and Bryan, TX real estate source! When you choose to buy or sell a home in College Station/Bryan, TX or other surrounding areas using our expert services, you will receive a free consultation to determine your needs, free listings, and free reports sent to you by email. These weekly reports will show you how hard the members of my team are working to accomplish your property goals, and we guarantee the best service and consultation you have ever experienced. You’ll find the best community information for the College Station, Texas region right here.

It’s nice to know YOUR Realtor will still be of service after the sale.

Experience Counts: Broker/Owner of Brazos County Realty
Over 25 years of sales experience. With past ABR, GRI, CRS, & Epro designations.
Continuing education in real estate: Education is paramount in an ever changing industry like Real Estate. Myke has taken over 1000 hours of real estate specific courses which include but are not limited to: Residential Appraisal, Marketing, Law Contracts I & II, Finance, Residential Inspections, Principles and Practice, Law of Agency, Code of Ethics, Bankruptcy/Easements/Surveys/and Probate, Home Warranties, 1031 Exchanges and hundreds of hours of extensive real estate training.

Reputation: SALES LEADER since 1998; Top Producer 2000 through 2009. Listed among the top agents in the county. Consistently ranked among top realtors for total sales volume out of 900 realtors for commercial and residential real estate in the Bryan/College Station, TX area. When Myke represents buyers, she presents all viable options to her clients, including those properties that are not officially listed, but could be available for sale based on her inside information. Her expertise lies with investors and marketing homes of all price ranges in College Station/Bryan to local, national and global buyers, across all major media channels and through her extensive, personal network of contacts.

Myke is among the top 1% of all Realtors in North America!
She has earned the Designations of ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), CRS(Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate of Realtors Institute)CHMS (Certified Home Marketing Specialist), and E-pro (Certified Internet Professional)
Fewer than 3% of all Realtors nationwide earn these certifications. They are not only a symbol of Myke’s commitment to this business, but these designations are your assurance of a skilled, trained real estate professional.

Myke is a consummate real estate professional who not only understands the art of deal-making, but also the art of relationships. She makes the process of buying and selling homes an uplifting and fun experience. She has a tremendous appreciation for Bryan and College Station, its rich history, and Texas A&M traditions having lived in the area for 25 years. Her knowledge of Bryan/College Station’s real estate market and market trends is unparalleled. Having been personally involved with clients through their remodeling, purchasing and selling processes, she knows intrinsic quality and value when she sees it. When she doesn’t see it she lets her clients know, without hesitation.
Myke’s proven track record and affiliations in the field of real estate demonstrates her high level of professionalism.

* High energy and enthusiasm
* Aggressive marketing
* Expert negotiating skills
* Ability to listen and ascertain customer’s desires and needs
* Fun to be with
* Internet savvy
* Because Myke is an experienced investor, she quickly helps her customers locate and define good business opportunities. No one likes the feeling of being ‘sold to’ so Myke provides as much information as possible to help you make the right decision.

Personal Commitment:
I am prepared to go the ‘Extra Mile’ for you, because I understand the financial and emotional significance of purchasing and selling your home. I will carefully listen to your desires and arrive at a workable plan. I believe sensitivity, listening, and service are important keys to success.
Whether you are buying or selling a home or you are just curious about your home’s market value, I’d be happy to provide my market expertise and intelectual property without obligation, or meet with you to evaluate your home for future reference. I want my customers to have a great time and enjoy the total process of purchasing or selling property. It gives me great pride when my customerspass my name on to their friends and family. I will continue to work hard to make sure critical information is available at www.AggieRealEstate.com and I invite all interested investors to search my site for cash flow opportunities. I will dedicate my time and talents to helping you achieve your goals. It is my goal to make your buying and selling experience extraordinary. Look closely and you’ll see how much I love meeting and working with people. You’ll experience the difference in working with an experienced and dedicated professional.

Personal information:
Michelle goes by ‘Myke’ and is the proud mother of 6 children – 3 girls and 3 boys. Her husband is David Leatham. They met at Brigham Young University. They have been married since 1977. David is a finance professor, and Associate Head over graduate studies in the Agricultural Economics Department at Texas A&M University, and speaks fluent Spanish. They have lived in College Station since 1983 and loved every minute of it. Myke loves to quilt, sing, swim, ‘sing’, bake bread, ‘sing,’ garden, ‘sing’, sell real estate, and ‘sing some more’ :-). Family, church, and real estate consume most of her time. Truth, honor, integrity, kindness, loyalty, gratitude, and service are very important words to her.

Slogan: ‘Let Myke Help You With Your HOMEwork!’

Referrals: The highest compliment I can get is when you pass my name on to others or post a kind remark on the internet. When you send your friends and family my way, I’ll always provide them with the highest quality of service that I know you would appreciate. Thanks in advance for all your support and friendship.

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