I'm a major networker, so belly to belly is what successfully works for me, in sales and networking.

That said, I sell 1-2 houses per year here in San Diego, for out of state sellers I NEVER meet face to face. I literally have been trusted to sell their old family home or rental, without ever meeting them beyond phone & e-mail. Not even Skype or Facetime...I have no idea what they look like.

So, it is my ideal, but not my necessary preference. We have to roll with what works for our clients, (more so when referred vs. sign call for me though-some require vetting).

You left out one significant parameter most solicitors for help include.

That is an inexpensive way to get new business.

If the newbie has more money than time, then going digital is easier. Doing a halfa** job in the digital sphere is a waste of time and money.

Belly to belly reacquaints the craftsman with what they are supposed to be doing in the 'sales person' reality.

INstant feedback

INStant success

INSTANT Learning by doing.

What is really cool about real estate is there truly is a gazillion ways to do it. Finding the one that works for the newbie often is a race between the bank account balance and getting a clue.

There are all kinds of different business models --- it will depend on the individual what will work best.  It may involve some trial and error for some. 

When it comes to mortgage people, I would prefer them be 'within choking distance'. :)

Yes. Face to face contacts will get the best results.

I recommend it

With the popularity of the Internet, thinking this is old school thinking.

I've done business with many people I have never met. I get belly to belly with the Internet and my phone rings.

A new agent should do a lot of face to face meetings.  They need to know if they have the nerve and guts it takes to sell.  Each agent creates their own scripts and dialogues and meeting face to face is where it should begin.

I think you need to use some old school with some new school and a little technology to get the most out of it. 

David Barr An interesting concept!

Whatever works for the client, and whatever makes you feel comfortable is the best way to approach it. I have sold many homes to people who haven't seen them, and I've never met them. If that's they way they want it, I'm fin with it, although I like building a relationship that's more than just an email and a phone call.

If I was making the biggest financial decision of my life, something that was going to effect me and my family for decades to come; and involved large sums of money . . . . I would want to sit down face to face with the person I am trusting to assist me.  As far as researching listings and getting information on out of area properties, that's fine to do online but I just don't think it works in Mortgage. 

The hardest part when I started my company is that I never met most of my customers face to face. It was all phne,fax and e-mail. It was a big change for me as I used to work for a bank, where everything was face to face. New school thinking is great, but there is nothing wrong with old school. Do everything, new and old, to get your name out there.

I think it depends. Some people are fine without the face to face, while for others it's essential. There's nothing wrong with the basics. At the same time technology allows us to do so much without doing things person to person.

Face to Face meeting is best

It's a PEOPLE business , Lead Gen is a must and everyone must accomplish it in the way they're comfortable with . No matter how you do it , your goal should be to daily feed your always hungry CRM !

David Barr I am enjoying reading the A's to your Q.  Thanks.

Enjoy your dogs.

 Most of the new business that I get does come from face to face interaction.

Good morning David. For the most part, face to face is best, but the time I invest on AR has been a very good return on investment.

I believe it is because new agents definitely need the exposure and experience dealing with people face to face. In particular nowadays that everything is done over the phone and online, it is certainly a welcomed change.

I think it is wise to do if at all possible. You tend to bond sooner and learn to trust quicker when yu can see a person.

The more face to face time I can get with a potential client the more successful I am

David,
I was a lender before a real estate broker. Mortgage LO’s need a stable of referring agents to eat well. They can do more online and get by with it. In real estate, especially of you are new, I think face to face is best.

I like face to face

I think this is still a relationship business, and face to face is truly helpful.

We get business face to face all he time...In line at the grocery store, at a restaurant, the bank, anyplace where there are people...and it works.

That's how I get my business.  Build that personal relationship.  Online will only get you so far.  Just like online dating, at some point you have to take it offline...

I think for online mortgages to work long term, they have to be extremely conservative in their approval process, but don't think that is happening, so it's scary. More foreclosures down the road. We have not come to that in the home selling process as yet.

David,

Yes, especially on the high end, it is what works.  I remember when people were buying off a video in Napa without ever seeing the property.  It is not happening here in Santa Barbara or in Napa. From an anodectotal perspective, I am seeing social media fatigue, and I have already seen studies onn the "Digital Bubble" from reputable sources.  A 

More then true, fact!

We all do it differently but my business thrives on repeat and referring clients.

David Barr I don't know about old school thinking because it still works.

I think building relationships online is a good way to find business too.