This past week, I half-heartedly advocated that real estate agents should use Twitter as a means to communicate with clients. Today, I had the probably behind the times realization that a web-savvy client doesn’t need Twitter to check up on their Realtor.
As Realtors increase their online presence through blogging, Active Rain, and other tools, potential clients need to take the time to search for prospective agents online both to (a) ensure that they have a web presence; and (b) ensure that they like what they see.
Employers have searched Google for more information about job applicants for some time. Now, I hear that employers are even using Zillow to find out more about job applicants.
Home buyers and sellers need to adopt a similar practice. You can find out what your potential agent is doing in their free time. So go do it!
The Paris Hilton of the real estate industry is out there somewhere, shouting loudly for attention online. Embrace her (him) or avoid her (him). It’s your call.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Louis Cammarosano // Jun 9, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Since Zillow is inaccurate and doing nothing more than many companies are doing-taking public last sale data and running it through an algorithm to spit out a home valuation estimate, they might as well also consult
HomeGain-the original AVM posted on line from 1999-2001 and recently relaunched at
http://www.homegain.com
or try
http://www.cyberhomes.com
or
http://www.abcrealestate.com
or try Yahoo real estate-they have homevaluation estimates also from reply.com and eppraisal.com .
2 Chris Lengquist // Jun 16, 2007 at 7:51 am
Paris Hilton? I am so tired of that chick. Jeez. Serve your time and move on.
But your point is an EXCELLENT one that needs to be expanded. Home buyers and sellers need to understand the importance of a cohesive online presence. Wow, just that thought fires up my imagination.
3 Keith Jeppson // Jul 2, 2007 at 8:39 pm
There’s no better way for a buyer/seller to get a quick feel for their potential agent than through checking their online presence.
And Paris, why do people care?
4 Chris Schultz // Jul 6, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Where have you been Rob?!!!
5 Michael Levenson // Aug 31, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Internet marketing/exposure are key to finding an agent and selling/buying property. I believe that over 80% of buyers start their search on-line. If a seller’s agent has not strongly embraced the Internet, you can almost bet your property won’t sell as fast as it should.
May I also suggest buyers/sellers to pay close attention to the brokerage company that their potential REALTOR® works with. This is greatly over-looked when choosing a REALTOR®. Sellers are mainly focused on commission and choose not to research everything else. A higher commissioned REALTOR® should provide more in regard to marketing and technology, which in turn provides their property a greater chance of selling faster and for more money.
As for Paris Hilton, I would be very happy never to hear her name again. But I’ll give credit where credit is due; she (or her people) have made her a walking, talking, live and in living color billboard for marketing to today’s youth.
6 Bill Gassett // Nov 30, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Great suggestion! Social marketing has become and important part of any great Realtors repetiore. It makes sense that if an agent knows how to promote themselves online they will also know how to market a property well. There are so many agents that have yet to embrace social marketing. It leaves the ones that have with a good chunck of business they otherwise would not have.
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