ChatGPT is the latest digital disruptor, and people from various industries are finding ways to use it in their day-to-day operations.

I recently hosted a webinar, Real estate agent’s guide to ChatGPT. The topic is in demand right now. The problem with ChatGPT is that it’s a blank page. Knowing how to use it and its limitations is most of the challenge.

When utilized properly, it can be a huge boost to your productivity. This is one of the best ways to leverage it out of the gate; creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Whether you’re solo, growing a team, or have an established team already, you need SOPs in your business. SOPs ensure you deliver consistent service and nothing falls through the cracks.

One of the common objections to growing a team is, “Nobody can do it like me,” but with SOPs, you can give team members a step-by-step guide. 

Creating them can be a daunting task, and it takes a lot of time. This is where ChatGPT can do a lot of the heavy lifting. It can write out the framework of your entire SOP catalogue. You just need to fill in the specifics at that point of your business. 

What SOPs do you need?

The first step for creating SOPs is knowing which ones you need in your business. You can start by typing into ChatGPT, “What SOPs does a real estate agent need in their business?”

When typing that into ChatGPT, it gives you five categories:

1. Lead generation and nurturing

2. Listing management

3. Buyer and seller communication

4. Transaction management

5. Customer service

Then I responded to the results with the question, “Are there any additional SOPs a real estate agent needs?” I did that a couple of times and got a few more:

1. Prospecting and networking

2. Marketing and advertising

3. Open house and showing procedures

4. Administrative tasks

5. Referral management

6. Client onboarding

7. Team Management

Name your SOPs

Now you can ask it to suggest titles for every SOP you need: 

1. Lead generation and nurturing: “The lead generation and nurturing SOP: A proven strategy to attract and convert clients”

2. Listing management: “The listing management SOP: Streamlining your property listings process”

3. Buyer and seller communication: “The buyer and seller communication SOP: Enhancing your client experience”

4. Transaction management: “The transaction management SOP: A step-by-step guide to closing deals”

5. Customer service: “The customer service SOP: Providing excellent service to your clients”

6. Prospecting and networking: “The prospecting and networking SOP: Building your real estate business through relationships”

7. Marketing and advertising: “The marketing and advertising SOP: Attracting clients through effective promotion”

8. Open house and showing procedures: “The open house and showing procedures SOP: Creating a positive showing experience for potential buyers or renters”

9. Administrative tasks: “The administrative tasks SOP: Simplifying your paperwork and record-keeping processes”

10. Referral management: “The referral management SOP: Growing your business through referrals”

11. Client onboarding: “The client onboarding SOP: Welcoming new clients and setting expectations”

12. Property management: “The property management SOP: Managing rental properties like a pro”

13. Team management: “The team management SOP: Leading and managing your real estate team with success”

Now that you got an initial list of SOPs, you need to start building them out— the daunting part. 

Create sample SOPs

You can ask ChatGPT to create a sample SOP. It won’t be tailored to your business and will be far from perfect, but it will get you the majority of the way there, and you can customize it to suit your business. 

I took a simple one from the list above, “The open house and showing procedures SOP: Creating a positive showing experience for potential buyers or renters,” and asked it to create a sample SOP.

Here’s what it came up with: 

Title: The open house and showing procedures SOP: Creating a positive showing experience for potential buyers or renters

Purpose: This SOP outlines the processes involved in preparing and conducting open houses and property showings to create a positive experience for potential buyers or renters.

Scope: This SOP applies to all real estate agents and assistants responsible for conducting open houses and property showings.

Procedure

Preparing the Property:

• • Schedule a pre-showing inspection to ensure the property is in good condition and necessary repairs or touch-ups are completed.
  • Stage the property by decluttering, depersonalizing, and adding any necessary furniture or decor.
  • Create and print marketing materials, including flyers and brochures, to showcase the property’s features and amenities.
  • Set up directional signage and balloons to guide visitors to the property.

Scheduling Appointments:

• • Collect contact information from potential buyers or renters and schedule appointments for showings or open houses.
  • Confirm appointments with visitors by sending reminders via email or text message.
  • Schedule open houses during peak times, such as weekends, for two to three hours.

Conducting Showings:

• • Greet visitors at the door and provide a brief introduction to the property’s features and amenities.
  • Allow visitors to explore the property at their own pace and answer any questions they may have.
  • Follow up with visitors after the showing to gauge interest and provide additional information.

Conducting Open Houses:

• • Set up refreshments and snacks to make visitors feel welcome.
  • Provide a sign-in sheet for visitors to provide their contact information.
  • Provide a brief introduction to the property’s features and amenities before allowing visitors to explore it at their own pace.
  • Follow up with visitors after the open house to gauge interest and provide additional information.

Cleaning Up:

• • Collect and store all marketing materials and refreshments.
  • Ensure that the property is left in good condition by cleaning up any messes or debris.
  • Lock all doors and windows and set the alarm if applicable.

Conclusion:

By following the processes outlined in this SOP, real estate agents can create a positive experience for potential buyers or renters during open houses and property showings. By creating a streamlined process for conducting showings and open houses, agents can improve their efficiency and ultimately close more deals.

Is that a perfect SOP? Not even close. ChatGPT isn’t going to give you perfect outputs, but it’s going to do the first draft, and you can perfect it. You can get the same amount done in 20 per cent of the time. 

Now you can go through each item and get more written. 

I recommend having ChatGPT write one at a time instead of asking it to write a sample for all of them simultaneously. Sometimes when you ask ChatGPT to write too much content at once, it can stall. Going SOP by SOP, you get to create and customize them more efficiently. 

Let us know in the comments how you’re using ChatGPT!

Andrew Fogliato

Andrew Fogliato – The G is silent –  is the Founder & CEO of Just Sell Homes, a digital marketing agency for the real estate industry, and the Publisher of REM.

He’s been a Realtor, trainer, speaker, consultant, marketer, and more in the Canadian real estate industry for more than a decade.