Real Estate Blog - Are You Inviting Buyer Prospects to use SMS Text Messaging to Contact You?

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Are You Inviting Buyer Prospects to use SMS Text Messaging to Contact You?

I recently got into a discussion about this topic with a number of real estate agents on another blog. I've noticed an increase in the number of buyer prospects who contact me via text messaging, particularly over the past six months or so.

How many real estate agents out there are inviting prospects to text message them? For example,

Do you offer an SMS Text number on your real estate sign riders?
Do you put your Text Messaging number on property flyers or brochures?
Do your blogs and social networking profiles offer a Text Messaging number to contact?
Is there a text messaging number on your business card?

If you do happen to encourage contact with clients and prospects via text messaging, what kind of statistics are you encountering?

Are prospects messaging you? If so, are they mostly in a particular age group?

Posted by Eric Kodner, Lake Minnetonka Homes & Madeline Island Real Estate on 08/17/2009 03:19 PM

Comments (8)

sms text messaging, real estate

8 Comments on Are You Inviting Buyer Prospects to use SMS Text Messaging to Contact You?

AUG

Hi Eric,

Well I'm 3 out of 4. I'm seeing more and more text contacts now, yet every now and then someone prefers to call. As for ages, mostly younger which is something I would have expected. Every now and then it's a geezer like me, yet rarely.

Hi Eric...I haven't talked to you in ages!!

I don't encourage texting (my eyes won't take it) and only give my cell to clients....I just can't live my life on call....guess I'm a dinosaur...

The way I look at it...if they can text, they can email and that isn't nearly as intrusive!

Eric - I'm noticing an increase in the number of text contacts, not only from Buyers and Sellers, but also from other Realtors.

The problem with text messages is there's not a paper trail as with emails .... as yet!

Hi Eric, Long time no see. And we should have lkooked you up as we were in Bayfield. But it was too late when i realized how close we would have been. And I am not sure how often you are in M.I.

I use text when i need. but i do not advertize. I find them too easy to slip through the cracks.

What results are you seeing?

We also have a text for info service on our signs. but we are not seeing good results on that either.

AUG

Hi Eric,

It's great to let prospects know that they can text you, but it's just as important to provide a way for them to get information about the listing without speaking to you directly. This is done by providing a shortcode (like 88000) as opposed to your full phone number. There are many platforms out there (such as ours) that allow for this instant info and lead capture. You really have a great mindset for this type of thing, because many REALTORS® just put the call-to-action (eg. "For Instant Info Text HOME2 to 88000") on their signs and forget to put it anywhere else. Anywhere your listings are marketed should include this call to action. We even had a customer put his shortcode on an airplane banner that was flown along a popular beach! Getting creative is the key, and you're on the right track.

AUG

Hi Eric, Great to see you again! I rarely get text messages but I don't know whether that is because of the type of client I tend to attract or the fact that I may seem too old to most:) My 27 year old daughter prefers to text over calling her friends but I'm not there yet. Also, there is a charge with texting that might make some pause before using it.

AUG

all great suggestions Eric - we do text with our established clients ( who know how) but not prospects.

Sincerely,

Grace

NOV

Eric-Our company tried this 2 years ago and offered this as a service to agent for $20 per listing for a rider to set up the text to phone lead conversion. It really didn't take off. I haven't checked into it for a while but I'm thinking about trying it again. It seems like the demographics of 1st time homebuyers would lovet his feature and they are the biggest source of buyers in our market.

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