The real estate industry can be challenging to navigate, which is where a coach can help you develop a plan, set goals, and provide valuable insights into the industry.
However, not all coaches are created equal; some have an experience as former agents, while others are professional coaches focusing on the real estate industry. If you think that doesn’t matter, think again.
And to understand which coach is the best to help you and your business, you need to understand what are good questions to ask a real estate coach to ensure you find one coach who matches your needs.
Why are these questions important? Because choosing the right real estate coach can make all the difference in your career. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a list of the top questions to ask your potential coach.
By asking these questions, you'll better understand their coaching style, experience, and areas of expertise, which will help you determine if they're the right fit for you.
What is a Real Estate Coach?
Real estate coaching has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more real estate professionals seek guidance and support to help them succeed in their careers.
A real estate coach can help agents develop their skills, improve strategies, establish time management systems, and create and achieve goals.
But with so many coaching options available, it can be challenging to know what to look for in a coach and what questions to ask to ensure a good fit.
Why Should You Hire a Real Estate Coach?
A career in real estate can be incredibly rewarding but highly competitive and challenging. To succeed in this career, it’s essential to clearly understand the industry, its trends, and best practices.
That's where a real estate coach comes in.
A coach will provide guidance, support, and industry expertise to help you succeed in your real estate career.
And one of the primary advantages of hiring a real estate coach is that they can help you set and achieve SMART goals.
SMART goals are broken down so you can achieve them and have a built-in time period. SMART goals are defined as;
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-Bound
Using a coach will help you avoid being like many other real estate agents who struggle defining business goals, which can make it difficult to move forward and achieve success.
What a coach offers is they can help you clarify your goals, develop an actionable plan, and provide accountability to ensure you are consistently taking steps toward achieving them.
Coaches also offer invaluable insights and expertise that can help you navigate the complexities of the real estate industry.
From marketing strategies to negotiation tactics, a coach can share real-world experience and knowledge to help you grow your real estate business.
Working with a real estate coach can also significantly boost your productivity and efficiency. I like to use and teach two different time management techniques; Time-Blocking and The Pomodoro Method.
Time-Blocking: Time-Blocking is a technique you use to organize your work day. You take your entire day, break it into 2-3 hour blocks, and only work on that specific task for that time.
For example, a typical Time-Blocking strategy may look like this;
8-10 am: Organize the day’s activities
10-12 pm: Prospect outreach
12-2 pm: Call and meet with clients about appointments, current listings, or viewings
2-4 pm: Marketing and lead generation activities
4-6 pm: Appointments to show and view properties
Using Time-Blocking strategies will allow you to focus your energy for a shorter period and accomplish more without the fatigue and burnout that comes with a plan.
The Pomodoro Method: The Pomodoro Method is a productivity strategy that takes your work and breaks it up into smaller, more manageable amounts of time. It’s a simple productivity hack that you can implement today.
Here’s how it works;
- Take a timer and set it for 20-minutes
- Work exclusively on one task during that time
- When the timer expires, take a brief 5-minute break
- After the break, reset the timer
- Repeat for 4-5 Pomodoros and then take an extended break of 15-30 minutes
Another area that coaches can help you with is identifying gaps in your workflow or where you can streamline your processes, allowing you to focus on high-impact activities to help you achieve your goals.
The benefits of working with a real estate coach are well-documented. Studies show that, on average, real estate agents who work with coaches earn significantly more income than those who don't.
Additionally, they can help you avoid costly mistakes that could set you back in your career.
If you’re ready to get started being more productive and efficient in your business and are wondering what are good questions to ask a real estate coach, well, here are some of the top 10 questions to ask your real estate coach:
1. What experience do you have working with real estate agents? What specific areas of real estate do you have experience in? How can you help me with my particular needs?
Experience and accreditation can help determine the credibility and effectiveness of the coach, and it's essential to ask about their background.
Only some coaches have been in the trenches and done the work of an active real estate agent, so find one that understands the market and the unique challenges that you go through as a real estate agent.
You want to find a coach who understands the unique challenges and opportunities of working in real estate.
2. What are the formats of coaching conversations?
Knowing the coaching formats can help the agent determine which approach is right for them.
Some coaches offer one-on-one coaching, while others work with larger groups of agents. Make sure you're comfortable with the format before you commit.
3. How often do we have coaching calls? What are your availability and scheduling options? When are you available to meet with me? How often do we meet?
You want to ensure you get regular support and feedback from your coach.
4. What is your coaching style? Are you a more hands-on or hands-off coach? How much support and guidance do you provide your clients?
Every coach has their approach to working with clients. Make sure their style works for you and aligns with your personality and goals.
5. What are your coaching fees? How much does your coaching cost? What is included in your coaching package?
Understanding the coach's fees is crucial in determining whether the agent can afford their services. Therefore, you want to make sure you know the financial commitment upfront.
6. Can you help me create a business plan?
A good coach can help you set goals and create a plan to achieve them. They’ll help you set up the systems you will need to complete the outcome objectives and keep you motivated when you’re tired, overwhelmed, and just have a difficult time.
7. Can you help me with marketing and lead generation? One of the biggest challenges facing real estate agents is finding new clients.
A coach can help you develop strategies for attracting potential buyers and sellers.
8. Can you help me with rental properties and lease options? Can you offer any advice on rental properties, teams of agents, joint ventures, lease options, or commission income?
The agent should ask their coach for specific advice on any areas they would like to work on or improve, such as rental properties or commission income, as these can be lucrative real estate market areas, but they also come with unique challenges.
A coach with experience in this area can offer valuable insights.
9. Can you help me build a team of agents?
If you're interested in growing your business, building a team can be an effective way to do so. A coach can help you understand the benefits and challenges of working with a team.
10. Can you share success stories from other clients? What are your success stories? Can you share examples of how you helped other real estate agents achieve their goals?
A good coach should be able to provide examples of agents who have achieved success with their guidance.
By asking these essential questions, you can better understand your coaching relationship and how it can help you achieve your goals.
Remember, working with a real estate coach is an investment in yourself and your career, so it's crucial to take the time to find the right coach for you.
