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Blogging vs standard marketing....

By Jim Willis

Real Estate Agent with Rose and Womble Realty

October 24, 2007 10:39 AM

I had a conversation with 2 Realtors in my office re my new venture into real estate blogging in the Virginia Beach area of Va. They both are big on expires and fsbo's and they both do a lot of mailings and a load of phone calls and well organized Open Houses to search for potential clients.

I'm sure I did a poor job of explaining the potential advantages of blogging in a real estate social networking environment and the long term potential for having potential Home Buyers find me on the internet. One said "in a nushell, you blog, you get leads" I could tell that I had lost them both. I'm sure in the future I'll do a better job of conveying what real estate blogging is and isn't.

Some may wonder why I would share this with Realtors in a market area where we compete. I'm so excited about this real estate blogging concept, that I want to share with other people what little I know at this point. Also these 2 realtors are also friends of mine.

The Virginia Beach Real Estate market is like almost all areas in the US now, to varying degrees. Here in the Virginia Beach area of Va we're slow but far from out. It's definitely a Home Buyer's market now and it took a year or so (almost all of 2006) for home buyers and sellers to understand the market. The sellers wanted top dollar and no concessions and the homebuyers wanted to offer low ball offers and loads of concessions.

Anyhow, I'm optimistic about the market here in the Va Beach area and look forward to exploring the world of blogging and how it can be a strong part of my Real Estate strategy now and in the future. I have a lot to learn but I'm blogging on.

Jim from Va Beach

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Sean Allen

International Financing Solutions - Fort Myers, FL

International Financing Solutions

Hey Jim,

Unfortunately many people do get it. They won't get it until it hits them in the face and they realize how valuble the internet and blogging can be. Their loss....possibly your gain.

Oct 24, 2007 10:43 AM

Michael Davenport

Hot Properties - Concord, NC

Real Estate Broker, Charlotte

I'm also just starting out and it excites me too. The market is changing with technology and may I say, "it is about time". Your blog has inspired me to write my first blog on the change of the our industry and the impact that technology finally has. I think this will be a good change. It will be tough on a lot of people who have been in the game for a while. I think overall we will benefit from being on the front lines of this new wave of Real Estate.

Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Mike Davenport

Oct 24, 2007 10:50 AM

Nancy Moeller

Seven Gables Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA

Everyone has their niche ... I prefer blogging, but others find other methods more productive or interesting. Good success, Nancy

Oct 24, 2007 10:58 AM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jim.

Shhhh!!

Oct 24, 2007 11:30 AM

Sharon Harris

Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Hanover, PA

Realtor

I must say if you would have sat in my office and said oh I just blog and it works I would have asked you what was wrong with you. I did not really in know how to blog untill late Aug. I had to work my way into it.IAfter justone month I have referred out some leads and just today connected with someonet that needed my help with a client in my area. yes I received a referrial in less then 90 days online with the AR gang. I work in an office with an older broker and god bless her heart she could never understand the valve of blogging . To her she still thinks farming, cold calling and door knocking is the way to go. In todays times people are way to busy working to have an agent knocking on there door as soon as they get home. No one wants the phone to ring at dinner and how much junk mail do we get every day? Be strong and keep at it. AR has made me rethink my efferts...Sharon Harris AllQuest Real Estate Hanover PA.

Oct 24, 2007 11:34 AM

Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Jim,

Congratulations on becoming a Virginia RE Blogger. We are an elite group of smart people who get it. Don't try to convert anyone just become a standout and they will wonder what happened :-)

Cindy

Oct 24, 2007 12:16 PM

Blogging vs standard marketing....

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