Jason Gracey is a Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams Memorial

Every week, we ask a real estate professional for their Short List, a collection of tips and recommendations on an essential topic in real estate. This week, we talked with Jason Gracey, a real estate broker with Keller Williams Memorial, about simple strategies for staying alert and committed to your business.

There is plenty of advice to inspire us all. I have found that all of the advice that I have received can be distilled into three simple strategies that help me to stay alert and committed to my clients.

3. Be a lifelong learner and apply what you have learned. You can’t stay on top of your game without fresh perspectives. You have to look beyond your normal routines and be unafraid to make changes. You are not going to keep up with all of the new technologies, tools and fine tune your performance by only reading the trade magazines. I like to devote at least 10 minutes each day to reading for professional and personal growth. For example, I have just finished Brian Buffini & Joe Niego’s Takin’ Care of Business; The Big Idea for Small Business and the Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents by Hal Elrod and Michael J Maher.

2. Avoid burn-out by setting aside personal time each week. It’s a simple fact you can’t keep up the pace without taking the time to recharge your batteries. Take the initiative to spend time with family and friends. Don’t just automatically refuse invitations to gatherings; add these invitations to your calendar and no excuses. Exercise is also an important tool that will help you to avoid burn-out. Exercise is a great stress reducer, so get outside, go to a gym or join a local sports team and get some exercise.

1. I use multiple systems to leverage my time and ensure consistency in delivering my client experience. I use a CRM service to keep clients and leads from slipping through the cracks even when I am busy. Using checklists keeps the various stages of a contract in view and helps me to make sure that the client remains front and center from the beginning of the contract through to the closing. I also use the checklist to track after closing care, thank you gifts and referral gifts. E-mail automation also helps to keep clients up-to-date with their listings, showings, new listings and current home prices in their neighborhood. The use of scripts and dialogs ensures consistency in closing a lead. I also use pre-built buyer and seller info packages to help educate clients on what to expect from us and what to expect from the buying and selling process.

Jason Gracey is a Houston native and real estate broker with Keller Williams Memorial. Gracey has worked in residential real estate in the NW Houston area for the last eight years, and has maintained a five-star rating with the Houston Association of Realtors’ consumer satisfaction survey board. Gracey specializes in utilizing new technologies to increase the marketing clout of his listing services and is competent in many areas ranging from Luxury Home Sales to Short Sales.