In today's market, 85% of all buyers are using the internet to search for homes. Unfortunately, not all agents are using the internet to extensively market their listings. Here are some questions to ask when interviewing agents. A good, internet-literate agent will be able to answer these questions with relative ease.
- What sites will my home be listed on?
- Will my home be featured on any of these sites?
- Will you have my home professionally photographed and the pictures uploaded to these sites?
- Will a virtual tour or video be made of my home & uploaded accordingly?
- Do you blog? If so, what is/are your blog sites?
- Will my property be submitted to your blog(s)?
- Will my home be given a unique web address?
- How will you drive traffic to my online listing?
- Will I receive regular updates of the visitor traffic viewing my listing?
- How many hits to you average on your site(s) per week/month?
- How long will it take for my home to be uploaded to all of the sites?
Next, do your homework. Google the agent's sites and see how and where they come up. Check the online listings and see how they are displayed and if they are kept updated. Are the links active and valid? Is his/her blog updated? Also be sure to check the agent's firm's website and check the same things.
Look into the agent's print advertising and make sure it references the online listings. Even if the agent doesn't advertise your particular home in print, you want to be sure that traffic is still being driven to the website where they can find your listing.
Finally, do a test. Do a property inquiry from various sites and see if you get a response and if so, a timely one.
Hopefully, these tips will help you in choosing a great listing agent who will market your home successfully on the internet.
Tina in Virginia
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