Dear Mr & Mrs. Seller,
I’ve noticed something funny lately. I happened to Google a couple of local agents’ names. I was really surprised that NOTHING came up. Shhhhhhh. Don’t tell them please. They are my competitors. I don’t really want you to find them. OK, OK, I don’t mind if you find them, but here is my thought for the day:
If you can’t find any trace of your Realtor on Google, do you think your agent has a strong plan for marketing your home on the web?
My guess is that he does NOT.
I am about halfway through reading this year’s Annual Technology Study from the National Association of Realtors. Again, please don’t pass that link on to my competitors.
In the last few years, Dmitry and I have focused on on-line marketing. NAR says that something like 80% of buyers begin their home search on the web. In our Oakland County marketplace, I would say its 99%. That is just my guess, based on the conversations I have with buyers. It used to be common to mail a thick packet of listing tickets to a prospective buyer. But for years now, we’ve been sending one convenient little link, with color pictures, virtual tours, etc. Buyers seem to prefer the link.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Your home needs to be promoted in the places that buyers are looking. Glossy magazines are pretty, but I can tell you I’ve never gotten many calls off of those ads. The weekly newspaper? Forget it. Who wants to search through completely unorganized little boxes with blurry black and white photos that leave your hands smudged?
I’ll keep this one short. I don’t want to get preachy. But please, before you list your home, at the very least, Google your agent’s name. If you don’t find anything, you might want to give me a call. I would be happy to help you find your next agent no matter where you are in the United States.
[tags]internet marketing, real estate websites, google[/tags]
Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
Visit Website
Search for homes in Oakland County
{ 6 trackbacks }
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
geno petro 11.26.06 at 6:26 pm
Maureen, I like your site and linked it
on my sidebar. Look forward to reading what you post.
Teresa Boardman 11.26.06 at 8:12 pm
Good point! I sometimes google other agents just to see if they have a web presence. I think it would be safe to assume that if I can’t find them on the internet they either are not doing business or are not using the internet for marketing. Bad strategy in this day!
Kristal Kraft 11.27.06 at 12:33 pm
I have no idea how agents expect to sell properties without having an online presence…its insanity!
P.S. Don’t tell my competitors…this internet thing is just a fad…it will never work.
kk
Joshua Plummer 11.27.06 at 7:25 pm
The internet is here to stay. I obviously work in the financing end of buying a new home, but a lot of my first time homebuyers aren’t even working with a Real Estate Agent when they come to me, and The majority of them tell me they have found a few houses they like online. If you are trying to sell your home, and you can’t find it or your realtor online, how will a buyer ever find it?
Larry Cragun 11.28.06 at 5:08 pm
Magnificent Consumer Information Article.
jf.sellsius 11.28.06 at 7:29 pm
That’s excellent advice Maureen. Now you just have to tell the agents who don’t see the writing on the blog. As Lar says, Magnifico!
Athol Kay 11.28.06 at 8:11 pm
I’m actually thinking about stripping everything OFF my business card and just having it say;
“Athol Kay Realtor: Just Google Meâ€
And no I’m not kidding.
Maureen Francis 11.28.06 at 8:12 pm
Athol–I LOVE THAT!
Sandra 11.28.06 at 10:09 pm
You couldn’t have made it more clear Maureen. The internet is here to stay and as more people come online the higher you will rank in the search engine if you post regularly and stay around.I have another blog which I started on a mundane subject a couple of years ago and I nursed it very little, only to find because many stopped blogging and I kept going I have had over 20,000 visitors(it’s not a sales blog) and continue to get numerous visits per day. This was one reason I suggested my father(the realtor) get into this blogging phenomenon. It’s growing and it isn’t going away. At the very minimum it will brand you an expert in your niche. So keep hanging in there. Also consider eventually turning your blog into a book and that will get you even more publicity. Thanks for being there.
Mariana Wagner 11.30.06 at 7:52 pm
This is a point that so many agents refuse to acknowledge. The internet is … king.
John Lockwood 12.01.06 at 9:03 am
Nicely done. I should try that one as a mailer in my local market.
The blogathon has kicked off. C’mon over when you get a chance.
Christine 12.02.06 at 12:04 pm
Maureen – This was a great article. When I read it the first time – I agreed. When I went back and re-read it – I second my first opinion.
Now, as the blogging “fad†grows it will be even more important to continue our growth as bloggers to be the ones that stand out. In the next few months I think that the blog world will grow in exorberant amounts – but it will be the good blogs, like this one that will sustain! Great article, once again!
Rick Landuyt 04.03.07 at 9:20 pm
You said ‘it all’! So many agents I come across say thay have a ‘website’ but, it’s like a billboard in the middle of the desert. Having (& maintaining / updating a site & having links is all important. I have seen some sites that are nothing but a ‘brag book’ – talking mostly about themselves, where is the helpful information that consumers want?
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Missy Caulk 02.27.08 at 8:22 pm
I always ask the sellers to Google me before they chose their agent, no worries.
Max 04.23.09 at 10:36 pm
Great article.
uggs 11.22.09 at 11:05 pm
Maybe a system to
enable segregation of comments into word count categories is called for allowing the user to skim a list of three word answers,
or make a cup of coffee and spend some time with the longer, more developed ideas.
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Very good post. I’m not at the point where I have enough unique visitors yet, but am book marking this for a month or two down the road.
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