Category: Growth

As a CEO broker-owner, manager, staff member, or real estate agent, you know the hustle is real. You’re constantly juggling appointments, following up with clients, and trying to stand out in a crowded market. But what if I told you that one small change could dramatically improve your results and give you a huge competitive advantage?

I’m talking about speed to lead—the time it takes for your business to respond to an inbound lead. It’s not about being a little faster; it’s about being lightning fast. Because in today’s digital world, every second counts. The data is clear: the first business to respond is almost always the one that wins the deal.

Why Is Speed to Lead So Critical?

Think about how you use the internet. When you have a question or need a service, you want an answer now. Your clients are no different. They have high expectations and low patience. If they reach out to you and don’t get a quick response, they’ll simply move on to the next agent or brokerage.

According to Verse.ai the source of this study, The Impressive Impact of Speed to Lead: 5 Ways to Shorten Response Time, leads go cold in minutes, not hours or days. The stats are jaw-dropping:

• 78% of customers buy from the business that responds first.
• Leads are 21x more likely to convert if contacted within five minutes.
• After just one hour, the likelihood of making successful contact with a lead drops by 10x.

These numbers aren’t just statistics; they are a direct reflection of your business’s success. A faster response time means you’re more likely to make contact, qualify the lead, and ultimately close the sale. It also shows your clients you respect their time, building trust and strengthening relationships from the very first interaction.

5 Ways to Drastically Improve Your Speed to Lead

So, how can you improve your speed to lead without hiring a round-the-clock team or burning out your agents? The key is leveraging technology and smart processes.

1. Automate First Outreach: This is a game-changer. By using AI-powered tools, you can ensure an immediate follow-up for every single lead, no matter the time of day. Advanced conversational AI can send a text, start a conversation, and answer basic questions within seconds of an inquiry.
2. Maintain 24/7 Coverage: Did you know that 45% of leads come in outside of normal business hours? If you’re not responding until the next morning, those leads have already gone cold. Automation and AI tools can bridge this gap, ensuring every lead gets a response, even when your team is offline.
3. Implement Instant Notifications: Your agents can’t be fast if they don’t know a lead has come in. Ditch the manual processes. Use your CRM to instantly notify agents via email, Slack, or SMS the moment a new lead arrives.
4. Enable Self-Service: Empower clients to get what they need immediately. Consider adding a self-serve appointment-setting function on your website or a chat widget that can answer frequently asked questions. This can eliminate the need for an immediate agent follow-up and improve the customer experience.
5. Score Your Leads: Not all leads are created equal. By assigning a score to each lead based on their engagement and qualifications, you can help your team prioritize who to contact first. This ensures your most qualified, high-priority leads get the attention they deserve—and fast.

The Bottom Line

In real estate, a swift response isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a strategic necessity. By focusing on your speed to lead, you can unlock better results across your entire pipeline, from initial contact to closing the deal.

Are you ready to stop letting valuable leads slip through your fingers and start putting your business on the fast track to success?

Joe De Sena, the relentless founder of Spartan Races and a man who embodies the spirit of pushing limits, recently shared some profound reflections that resonate deeply. Having personally experienced the challenge and reward of several Spartan Races, his words carry a weight that comes from real-world application of tough principles. His recent post laid out stark lessons from history and offered a powerful framework for navigating life’s challenges.

He wrote:

• Sparta’s lesson: Discipline without justice = collapse.
• Rome’s lesson: Wealth without discipline = collapse.
• Religion’s lesson: Prosperity endures only when tied to duty.

These aren’t just historical footnotes; they are timeless truths that echo in our personal lives and the broader world around us. Sparta, renowned for its rigorous discipline, ultimately faltered when that discipline wasn’t tempered by fairness and equity. The mighty Roman Empire, swimming in wealth and luxury, crumbled when its citizens lost the foundational discipline that built it. And across many faiths, the concept of prosperity being linked to one’s responsibility and purpose remains a cornerstone.

So, what’s “The Hard Way” answer to these enduring lessons, according to De Sena? It’s this:

Don’t get seduced by wealth or comfort. Don’t run from ambition, but don’t let it consume you either. Strip it down, tie it to duty, and build discipline that survives success.

This is a potent recipe for a resilient life. It’s not about shunning success or ease, but rather about maintaining a core of discipline and purpose that anchors you when the winds of fortune shift. Ambition is a powerful engine, but without the guidance of duty and the structure of discipline, it can easily lead to imbalance and eventual downfall.

The essence of “The Hard Way” philosophy, as De Sena articulates here, is about building a foundation that can withstand the inevitable tests life throws our way. Whether it’s the challenges of building a business, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or simply navigating the complexities of human relationships, the principles remain the same.

His concluding thought is particularly striking:

Because sooner or later, every empire (and every individual) faces the same test. Can you stay hard when life gets easy?

This is the ultimate question. It’s easy to be tough when facing adversity, but can we maintain that same level of discipline, that same commitment to our duties, when comfort and ease beckon? The lessons from Sparta, Rome, and the wisdom of many traditions suggest that our ability to stay grounded and disciplined in times of prosperity is the true measure of our strength and the key to long-term endurance.

Joe De Sena’s words serve as a powerful reminder to strip away the excess, connect our ambitions to a sense of duty, and cultivate a discipline that isn’t just about enduring hardship, but about thriving through all seasons of life. What are your strategies for staying “hard” when life gets easy? Share your thoughts…

I like to cut to the chase and get to what’s really happening in the residential real estate market.

We’ve got a lot to unpack, from inflation woes to a surprisingly resilient housing landscape.

Macroeconomic Trends: A Mixed Bag

July’s numbers are in, and they’re a bit of a head-scratcher. Inflation is still on the rise, with both consumer and wholesale prices climbing. It seems to be a persistent threat that’s not going away anytime soon. Yet, despite this, retail sales are holding strong, a testament to consumer resilience. Small business optimism is also back on the upswing, even amid the uncertainty. This tells me that while there are headwinds, people are finding ways to adapt and thrive.

Housing Market Snapshot: A Look Around the Country

Let’s zero in on some market data:

National: The national picture is a bit more optimistic. Existing home sales increased by 2.0% in July, and the median home price was up 0.2% year-over-year to $422,400. Inventory also saw a slight bump, giving buyers more options. The key takeaway is that the national market is showing resilience, with sales inching up. Median days on market: 63

California: The market here is cooling off a bit, but it’s far from a crash. July home sales trailed last year’s levels for the fourth straight month, with existing single-family home sales at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 261,820. The statewide median home price was $884,050, a slight dip from both June and July of last year. While affordability remains a challenge, it’s a more balanced market where deals are still getting done. Median days on market: 63

Florida: Florida’s market mirrored broader trends. Closed sales for single-family homes were down 2.8% from July of last year. However, the statewide median sales price was $410,000, a modest 1.7% decrease year-over-year. The supply of homes is at 5.4 months, a sign of a more balanced market compared to the previous year. Median days on market: 91

Texas: In Texas, the market followed typical summer trends with sales slowing and prices adjusting. For example, Central Texas saw a 7.9% decrease in sales from July 2024, with the median price at $435,000, down 3.3%. However, new listings and active listings are up, which is great news for buyers and suggests a more balanced market. Median days on market: 77

New York: New York’s housing market is experiencing a shift: while the statewide median price was up 4.9% year over year to $451,000 in July, closed sales were down 2.3%. Median days on market: 56

A Look at Today’s Agents: Experience Matters

This is the part that should resonate with all of us. The latest National Association of REALTORS (NAR) report highlights a trend: the industry is getting older and more experienced. The median age of NAR members is now 57, up from 55 last year, and the median number of years of experience has increased to 12, up from 10.

This shift isn’t just about age; it’s about wisdom.

A majority of agents — 74%— are “very certain” they’ll stick with real estate for the next two years. This is a powerful signal. Despite market shifts, agents are not giving up. They’re hunkering down, leveraging their experience, and preparing to tough it out.

So, what’s the takeaway?

• The market is shifting, not collapsing.
• The agents who are succeeding are those with the experience and commitment to weather the storms.
• This is a time to lean on your skills, adapt your strategies, and show your clients the value that only a seasoned professional can provide.

In real estate, we live in a world of variables. We’re juggling fluctuating interest rates, unpredictable client emotions, and a market that can turn on a dime. For broker owners, team leaders, and top-producing agents, the desire for control is strong. We want to be in command of our schedules, our deals, and our outcomes.

But what happens when an inspection uncovers a major issue, or a client gets cold feet at the last minute? When our desire for control meets the unpredictable reality of our business, it can lead to burnout and frustration.

A recent article from Psychology Today offers some powerful insights that are surprisingly relevant to our industry. It’s a reminder that true strength isn’t about controlling everything; it’s about mastering your response to what you can and can’t control.

1. You Choose Your Response

“Whatever information I’m given, I have a choice about what to do next.”

The market might be hot or cold, but you always have a choice about how you react. When inventory is low, you can choose to double down on prospecting for new listings. When rates spike, you can choose to become an expert on creative financing options.

2. Prepare for All Outcomes

“The information or result I get could be better or worse than I expect.”

This is a universal truth in real estate. The best-looking deal on paper can fall apart, and the most challenging listing can lead to a quick, painless close. By preparing for a range of outcomes, you’re never caught completely off guard.

3. Control Your Actions, Not the Results

“I can control these actions, but I can’t control this outcome.”

You can’t force a buyer to make an offer or a seller to accept it. But you can control the quality of your communication, the thoroughness of your marketing, and the professionalism of your negotiation. Focus on what’s in your sphere of influence.

4. Good Processes Lead to Good Outcomes (Eventually)

“Good decision processes can lead to bad outcomes, and vice versa.”

Sometimes you do everything right—you pre-qualified the buyer, the inspection was clean, the financing was solid—and the deal still falls apart. That doesn’t mean your process was bad; it just means the outcome was beyond your control. Stick to your proven systems.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

“I can control X, but not Y.”

A client might not qualify for the loan, but you can control providing them with a list of reputable mortgage brokers. A showing might be a no-show, but you can control how you follow up. Focus on the tangible actions you can take to move your business forward.

6. Embrace Imperfection

“I can choose to make no new mistakes, or I can choose to make progress on my goals, but I can’t choose both.”

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. The best agents and brokers I know are the ones who aren’t afraid to fail. They see every challenge and every lost listing as a chance to learn and adapt.

7. Your Success is Built on Mistakes

“My biggest achievements have contained many mistakes.”

Think about your biggest wins in this business. I can almost guarantee that somewhere in that story, there was a deal that fell apart, a client you lost, or a time you completely misjudged the market. Those failures didn’t derail your success; they were the tough lessons that forged the skills you needed to get to where you are today.

Let’s all give ourselves permission to let go of the need for perfect control. Embrace the uncertainty, learn from the journey, and trust in your ability to adapt. That’s not just a way to cope; it’s the path to becoming an unstoppable real estate professional.

Let’s be real. “Building the plane while it’s flying” isn’t just a metaphor… it’s how we operate every single day in this business. The real estate market doesn’t pause for us to get our ducks in a row. Our clients don’t wait while we upgrade our systems. This constant, mid-air change is the new normal, and it impacts everyone in the brokerage.

What it Looks Like on the Ground (and in the Air)

• For the CEO: You’re running a business that’s already in flight. You can’t just stop everything to vet a new CRM or revamp your recruiting strategy. You have to roll out changes while the current systems are still live, agents are still closing deals, and the business continues its trajectory. It’s about making a pivot without crashing.
• For the Recruiter: Your job is to attract talent to a moving target. You’re selling a vision of a brokerage that’s always getting better, always adding new tools, and always adapting to the market. You need to be confident in where the plane is headed, even as the crew is adding new engines.
• For the Staff: You are the crew chief. You have to learn new software, manage updated processes, and support agents through changes – all without missing a beat. Your job is to make the transition seamless and keep the operation running smoothly, even when things feel a little turbulent.
• For the Agent: You’re in the cockpit. You have to adopt new tools, learn a new MLS system, and adapt your marketing strategy on the fly. Your clients expect you to be an expert, and that means you can’t hit the “pause” button on your business to catch up.

How to Land Safely

Successfully navigating this constant state of change isn’t about avoiding turbulence – it’s about handling it well.

1. Communicate Constantly: Over-communicate every change, big or small. Explain why a new tool is being implemented and how it will benefit everyone. This isn’t just about what you’re doing, but why.
2. Start Small: Don’t try to fix everything at once. Pilot a new system with a small group of agents first. Get their feedback. Fix the bugs. Then, roll it out to the rest of the team. Incremental change is much safer than a massive overhaul.
3. Provide Real Support: Don’t just send out an email and call it a day. Offer hands-on training, quick tutorials, and a clear point of contact for questions. Make sure people feel supported, not left to fend for themselves.
4. Embrace the Feedback Loop: Your team on the ground knows what’s working and what’s not. Listen to them. Their input is crucial for making the next iteration better.

In the end, this is just the reality of the game we’re in. The most successful brokerages aren’t the ones that avoid change. They’re the ones that build a strong culture around it and learn to fly the plane with confidence while making it better in flight.

It’s easy to look at a top-producing real estate agent, a successful team manager, or the CEO of a leading firm and feel like their achievements are a world away from your own. You see the finished product—the bustling office, the impressive sales records, the widespread reputation—and it’s easy to feel like your current position is insignificant in comparison.

But let’s think about this a different way. A single brick has more in common with a skyscraper than it does with a pile of sand. A small, handcrafted prototype has more in common with a mass-produced product than a vague idea. A single, well-cultivated seed has more in common with a sprawling garden than it does with an empty patch of earth.

Every successful real estate career starts with a single, foundational action.

The initial efforts in any venture can feel almost trivial. You’re building a website that gets very few hits, you’re making follow-up calls that don’t immediately result in a listing, or you’re spending hours on a marketing plan that feels like it will never be fully realized. These tasks can seem small and disconnected from your ultimate goals. It’s easy to talk yourself out of them because the grand vision seems so distant.

However, every skyscraper is built one brick at a time. Every breakthrough product starts with a single prototype. Every thriving garden begins with a single seed. The real question isn’t about your current position; it’s about your current momentum.

Are you building, growing, and moving forward, even in small ways?

Inaction builds nothing.

Taking that one small step—securing one new lead, crafting one compelling property description, or mentoring one junior agent—is all it takes to start building something great.

Start with that one brick. Plant that one seed. Take that first step. That small, initial action, no matter how insignificant it feels, is the most crucial part of your journey toward success.