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What is a QR Code and how can you use it to sell real estate?

By
Real Estate Agent with Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. BK627826

QR codes are sort of cutting edge technology.  They have been used in other countries pretty regularly but are just catching on in the United States.  Below is an example in case you are wondering just what the heck I am talking about. 

Sand Dollar QR CodeIf you have shopped in a Best Buy store lately, you may have seen these codes all over their shelves and wondered just what the heck they are.  For those of us "smart phone" users, there are barcode scanners apps available for use.  Simply scan the bar code with your phone app and it will immediately take you to a link.  This link can be anything that the QR code creator wants it to be ... a website, a phone # to dial, a text message to send, an email address, etc. If you have a smart phone give it a try and see how it works.  The QR code to the left will link you directly to our firm's website

You may be wondering how in the world this could help you in the real estate business.  Imagine a For Sale sign in front of your listing.  On the sign is this bar code.  Instead of just having 50 flyers in an info tube, you additionally have this bar code on the sign or on the flyer.  Anyone with a smart phone can scan it and get detailed info on the property or possibly a video to watch.  

Check out the QR code to the right. QR Code PrestonIt links to a YouTube video of a house we currently have available for sale in Orlando Florida.  Someone could literally be standing out in front of a house you have for sale or for rent and instead of trying to call your office and ask for information, they could instead scan this QR code and get all the information, photos, videos, and more.  Just think of the power this little code has in it.  If someone calls you after reviewing the info behind this barcode, they are probably a whole lot more ready to act.  Information has now empowered them to call you.

Think of all the possibilites.  This barcode could be put on your business card and link directly to your website.  Or maybe in a newspaper or magazine print ad. 

You may be asking yourself, "How on Earth do I even create one of these codes? "  They are very simple to make.  There are plenty of websites out there that will create these very quickly and at no cost to you.  The site I use is Qreatebuzz.com simply because it gives you lots of extra options.  Check it out and if you think of any new ways to use these QR codes for marketing, please post your ideas.  My bet is that in a year or 2, these QR codes will be everywhere.  Why not position yourself to be at the beginning of this new wave of technology?

Comments (15)

Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Rob, QR Codes are definitely up and coming. Forward thinking Realtors should start incorporating QR Codes in their marketing. Thanks for your excellent post.

Oct 30, 2010 04:30 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Rob, I'm very excited about using these codes......gotta figure out how to let people know how to use them.  I get blank stares whenever I try to tell anyone about them!

Oct 30, 2010 04:31 AM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

Rob -

Great post.  I suggests an easy modification for listing presentation purposes.

Oct 30, 2010 04:38 AM
Noreen Fennell
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Tuxedo, NY
Professional Service, Serious Results

Thanks for the enlightenment.  I have been seeing these all over--and had no idea how to use them.  Now I need to find out if the application is available for Blackberry.

Oct 30, 2010 04:39 AM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

I agree this is the wave of the future if not now!

Oct 30, 2010 04:41 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

Bar code reader apps are available on just about any smart phone.  Iphone, Android, Blackberry all have them.

Oct 30, 2010 04:41 AM
Melissa Furman
Keller Williams Capital District Real Estate - Saratoga Springs, NY
Lic Real Estate Salesperson Luxury Homes

Interesting... I would like to see how many people actually know about this before investing.  It does not seem it has catched on enough for me to invest just yet.  I do think it is a good tool for the future.

Oct 30, 2010 04:44 AM
Anonymous
Anise Smith (AniseSmith Marketing)

Hi Rob!

I am a big fan of QR codes, so much so that I created a division of my Marketing Company dedicated to creating QR code Marketing materials. I also just release a service this week exclusively for Realtor to capitalize on QR Code Signage to promote their listings.

I also created a QR Code Video that would best describe how QR codes could be used.

Sidenote: We are looking for properties in the Florida area, Orlando area and Key West.

Oct 30, 2010 12:44 PM
#8
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

This is great stuff- been using them on flyer boxes. 

Oct 31, 2010 04:34 AM
Anonymous
Allen Hartwig

QR is a great bridge to connect the real world with digital experiences, however in itself, it is not a solution or strategy. 

You need to ask the question "What does the buyer see when he scans the code."  If you aren't providing a proper experience that results in leads and conversions, it's all in vain. 

Toor.me (this is my company) offers QR (we call them Toor Tags), but more importantly, elegant mobile experiences that engage buyers. We have a demo here illustrating what I mean.

If you use our services or not, just ensure you are focusing on the Solution, not the Technology. 

Nov 01, 2010 11:20 AM
#10
Allen Hartwig
Seattle, WA

@ Melissa Furman- Regarding it catching on and making an investment: This Christmas, huge push from Best Buy about QR and here is a few other companies using it for consumers, Burger King, Nike, Starbucks, Calvin Klein, Google ... it is on the way :) 

 

Nov 03, 2010 10:06 AM
Eric Kodner
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

Rob, excellent description of how QR codes are used and how they can be adapted to real estate.

Nov 03, 2010 10:21 AM
Marcy Moyer
eXp Realty of California Silicon Valley Probate, Trust, and Investment Sales - Mountain View, CA
Probate, Trust, and Investment Specialist

This looks like something that is really worth investigating. How does a smart ohone read these codes though?

Nov 11, 2010 08:42 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

@ Marcy.  There are many barcode apps available to download.  It uses the camera function of your smart phone to scan the barcode. 

Nov 11, 2010 08:49 AM
Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Hi Rob -- Thanks for the heads up on this.  I've seen them on coupons yet never realized how the technology could be applied to real estate. Nice post.

Nov 30, 2010 04:42 AM