When starting a real estate agent, broker, or related professional business, it can be challenging to build trust with your clients and other stakeholders (such as vendors and partners). People are naturally cautious when dealing with someone they don’t know well, so gaining their trust may feel like a tall order. Establishing trust doesn’t happen overnight.

Building trust is a process that involves taking intentional actions regularly to demonstrate these five qualities. Here are eight practical ways to build trust in the real estate business community:

Be transparent and honest.

Real estate agents who are transparent about their business model, fees, and other relevant aspects of their business are more likely to build trust with their clients. Vendor Advocacy is available to assist you in getting the property ready for sale.

Vendors are also likely to build trust with transparent real estate agents about their business practices.

This can include:

How the person structures their business (e.g., using a corporation or LLC versus being self-employed)

the products and services offered

business experience

how they promote themselves and gain new business.

Demonstrate reliability

They are reliable means that you are accountable and dependable. You are consistent in your words and actions so that your clients and other stakeholders know what to expect from you. Being reliable is another way to build trust.

Investors and lenders who are in the business of investing in real estate know that real estate is a very cyclical and unpredictable business.

They understand that real estate agents often struggle to be timely and accurate when reporting data. You can demonstrate reliability by picking up the phone when your clients call and meeting your reporting obligations on time.

If you are a vendor to a real estate agent, you can also demonstrate reliability by delivering your product or service on time according to the agreed-upon terms.

Be a good listener

Being a good listener demonstrates that you are empathetic and interested in others. This quality is essential if you are working with a client who feels anxious or apprehensive about their real estate transaction.

Real estate agents who listen to the concerns of their clients and genuinely try to understand them are more likely to build trust. Vendors can also build trust by demonstrating they are good listeners. For example, suppose a real estate agent works with a vendor who offers property management services. In that case, the agent can gauge whether the vendor is a good listener by requesting their input on specific topics.

Build credibility and expertise

You can increase your credibility and expertise in real estate by actively pursuing ongoing education. Whether an agent, broker, or related professional, you should read books, attend seminars and webinars, and engage with the industry through social media.

Active engagement with the real estate business community demonstrates credibility and expertise. You can do this by participating in online forums and in-person networking events.

Be trustworthy in small ways.

You can build trust in the real estate business community by being a good neighbor. By volunteering in your community and working on projects that align with your real estate business, you can demonstrate that you are a good person who is actively engaged in making your community a better place.

As a real estate agent, you can also demonstrate that you are trustworthy in small ways by being generous and giving back to your community. You can donate a portion to charity if you have been fortunate enough to sell a home for a sizable profit.

Demonstrate integrity

Being trustworthy also means demonstrating integrity. Integrity is doing what you believe is right, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. Actions like returning lost property to the rightful owner and not taking advantage of a vendor when a mistake is made are examples of integrity. When you demonstrate integrity, people will trust you because they will see that you are consistent in your moral principles.

Provide beneficial solutions for your community

Find ways to meet the needs of people in your industry and other sectors, and they will start to notice you. Offer help, and people will trust you.

Show loyalty

Being loyal to the people and organizations you work with will help you develop a trustworthy reputation. This means prioritizing the people who matter and taking on obligations that align with your values.

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