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Finding Atlanta GA Homes using Listingbook

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside

Finding Atlanta GA Homes Using Listingbook


Finding Atlanta GA Homes using Listingbook makes a complicated internet process much easier and much more exciting.  The property status reports on Listingbook are up-dated every 30 minutes.  Nice compared to other aggregate websites, eh? As a REALTOR©, my capacity to serve my clients is much improved by offering them searches for Atlanta GA Homes using Listingbook.
I explain that although ODAT pays for Listingbook, we offer it to them as a "Thank-You Gift" for contacting us.

Atlanta GA Homes using Listingbook

You might wonder “Why not offer use of your own ODAT website?” My answer is allowing personal space for the searchers.  Each person may set his or her own pace. We want each and every Client to feel a sense of dominion over his or her own time. By offering research for Atlanta GA Homes using Listingbook, I am respectful of each person’s autonomy.


My job, as I see it, is to be available until the person decides to join up with our firm. No strategy is needed once a potential Client decides to become a Client with a Buyer’s Agreement or a Listing Agreement. Likewise, no amount of pressure will make someone a good Client if the person is not ready.

My real estate company, ODAT, is not a sales firm - we are Accredited Real Estate Consultants (ACREC). I call my company ODAT so I am reminded at all times that One Day At a Time must be my focus and will be my road to success. We share our knowledge and we are available to guide and teach. So each time that I offer a potential Client free access to Listingbook, I practice what I preach. Let’s go at this adventure One Day At a Time. Let the Client set the pace.

Atlanta GA homes using ListingbookEach time I offer the new leads the chance to search for Atlanta GA Homes using Listingbook, I am respecting their need to be in charge. I am offering them the opportunity to do their own research at the time and place they choose.

In addition, I am offering them freedom from commitment at that stage of their search. Once we move to a true Client relationship, I may continue with them on Listingbook or I may ask them to switch to our own website.

Like it or not, every high level, professional, Client-centric REALTOR© is still subject to the perceptions of the public whose hands were burned by, shall we say, “less able” members of our profession. (Please feel free to substitute any descriptor you want for “less able”.)

Like it or not, every time a home searcher is on the internet and someone says “Come to MY site”, the lead/potential Client is faced with many uncertainties. Some examples I have heard from folks are: If I go to one person’s website, am I committed to that person? Am I restricting my searches? Will the person call me and call me? Will the person respect the limits I set?

Atlanta GA Homes Using ListingbookWhat is my philosophical statement here?
Until a lead is ready to become a true Client, no amount of “convincing” matters. When the lead wants to become a Client, our interactions over the Listingbook platform will have established a connection to ODAT. We are the real estate connection, already known, ready to implement our professional resources to make dreams the Clients'come true.

If you as a REALTOR©  or as a potential Client, would like to know more about Listingbook or about ACRE®, please check out the links provided.

Have a happy day -
Lynn

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Lynn,

I know that people search agent's websites and feel no obligation.  There is a website in the Southern part of the US, that is better than the MLS, or any other directory and many people search there because of it.  They do have to sign up, but they are not bothered until they ask to be bothered. 

Bottom line, if this method works for you, then it is perfect, and no one's opinion or expertise amounts to a hill of beans.  All the best and continued success, A

Sep 15, 2012 04:53 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Lynn...

We use a different system here as we are not a mandatory FMLS area, but all of the principles that you described apply!

Sep 15, 2012 05:15 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Hi Lynn, As I've never been a big fan of listing book, it does and can work. However, I do like your no pressure path as it gives the user the freedom to cruise around the site alone and if they decide to, they can call you when ready!

Sep 15, 2012 05:22 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Lynn, I loved the philosophy behind the "No pressure" of ListingBook. Once they commit to working with you, you know you have earned their business and trust. I would love to know what your conversion rate is. Of course, that can be another post in the near future.

Sep 15, 2012 05:25 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I never knew that ODAT = One Day At a Time....clever!

Sep 15, 2012 05:43 AM
Cal Yoder
Keller Williams Elite - Lititz, PA
Homes For Sale in Lancaster PA - 717.413.0744

Offering choices is a great thing. I hope it works well for your clients and for you. Best of luck my friend.

Cal

Sep 15, 2012 06:35 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Hi Lynn,

My website lets me choose whether to have them sign in after a set number of searches or not to require any sign in.  For years I tried the concept of them being able to search without signing in and then a few months ago I changed it to have them sign in after 5 properties.  My number of hits went way down.  I changed it back the other day and my hits are already up again.  I've learned there are good and bad for both. 

Best of luck with your new system!

DeeDee 

Sep 15, 2012 06:45 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear AR Friends -
Thank you so much for your great - and TRUTHFUL - comments!
Listingbook is available via the MLS in certain markets.
Now to answer my BAKER'S DOZEN of comments!


#1 -   Gary - I certainly agree that a Buyer/Rep Agreement is essential.
#2 -   Lyn - Your site is so easy to use - I am sure Clients love it.
#3 -   Toni - Can't wait to hear "but that's another story"!
#4 -   Lenn - the Morning Reports are very helpful for us as well.
#5 -   Mike - Never hurts to have a link to one's own site - great idea.
#6 -   Carla - If we could "read our leads" all the time, no on would ever get grey hair! LOL
#7 -   Alexandra and Ron - Thanks for the good wishes. PS Am working on reply to agents name list.
#8 -   Richard - Not a mandatory area - hmmmmm - very interesting.
#9 -   Sheila and Larry - Yes, Listingbook may not be the tool for everyone ...
#10 - Jerry - Thanks for the careful read of the post.
#11 - Margaret - Yes, that's all we get - One Day At a Time
right?
#12 - Cal - This is the AGE of CHOICES - isn't it?
#13 - DeeDee - Thanks for sharing your personal experience. As Jerry (#10) mentioned - it is all in the numbers!

In the end, all of our efforts rely on "what works", don't they?
Have a happy day -
Lynn

Sep 15, 2012 07:03 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage
I like the ideas Lynn. Hard for me to really know about Listingbook but it sounds like you have grasped a way to harness the benefits.
Sep 15, 2012 07:51 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Lynn,  I have both options.  I do find that on the search that requires registration, my lead conversion is about 90% higher.  However, if this works for you and your area, that is what matters!  Congrats on finding something that you love!

Sep 15, 2012 09:27 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Lynn:

I like what you have written about listingbook.  I use it for some of my clients who are adept at navigating the web.  They like it too.  I might write a post similar to your post to offer listingbook to people who read my blogs.

Sep 15, 2012 09:37 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Listingbook. That's what I forgot. A friend of mine told me about this, said I have to have it for business, and I forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder.

Sep 15, 2012 10:37 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Lynn - I use Listingbook with my clients so they can get the morning report.  Sometimes they spot the home they want before I do on MLS.  It's a great way to work in partnership with your clients. I use the notes to comment on homes they are interested in and pass info back and forth.  I also have a lot of folks who sign up through my websites or click on the link at the bottom of my AR posts, who are strangers.  It is a no pressure way for potential clients to search for homes.  I agree with Evelyn, I should write a similar post.

Sep 15, 2012 10:46 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Lynn - thanks for this very informative post.  I think you came up with a unique way to engage with potential buyers and sellers.  I am going to check the links.  I was not familiar with listing book.

Sep 15, 2012 12:17 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Lynn, we were one of the first cities to have Listingbook and it has worked well for us. Like they say, our past clients do rave about it! Think I should write a post about it as well for our readers :)

Sharon

Sep 15, 2012 01:18 PM
Anna Tolstoy
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Natick, MA

Lynn, I use listingbook on and off. I'm glad to hear it's working well for you. I personally find there are a few areas where the site could be improved, and be more user friendly, but the overall idea and approach is still very good. My oly concern is that one cannot easily search for rentals (I can do the search myself, but how do I attach it to clients?) Thing is, if I cannot do it properly doesn't mean that the site is no good :) But if it takles extra effort and longer learning curve, clients especially will be motivated to search on pther platforms. Listingbook is not intuitive enough in my opinion, even though it has plenty of great features ( I love "new customer letter and other stuff). 

Sep 16, 2012 01:01 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear AR Friends - (and welcome to some new Acquaintances as well!)

Thanks for all the wonderful comments! I especially echo Gail
(#19) Robinson's comment that it is "a great way to work in partnership with your clients." because it is so true for me also. I love the message feature inside Listingbook because it saves me extra steps during the first interactions with the potential Clients. I am sure all of us agree about one thing - it's all about saving time!


15.  Tom - Glad to see you here - Listingbook may not be active in your market yet. Hope I harvest lots of benefits from it!!
16.  Debe - lead conversion is the key - isn't it?
17.  Evelyn - I think it is a good "gift" and hope it works for you.
18.  Eric - Let me know how it works for you.
19.  Gail - Sounds like Listing book works as a tool for you in ways similar to how I use it - no pressure yet continued contact. You are right - the Morning Report sometimes leads Clients to updates before I even have a minute to check in the mornings!
20.  Joan - I hope it is available in your area.
21.  Sharon and Frank - Glad you enjoy it also. Will look for post!
22.  Anna - I use our FMLS for my own research.
Listingbook brings data from our FMLS. So I use the Listingbook as a Search Option for potential Clients. More up-to-date than more aggregator sites.

Thanks again for stopping by!
Have a happy day -
Lynn

Sep 16, 2012 04:33 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Lynn, I like and agree with many of your philosophies here.  We, as Realtors in todays technology are more "Consultants" than we are "salespeople" (I hate that term).  In order to stay needed in todays time I believe we all need to become more "Consultant" than anything else.  The public, in general, do not like salespeople. Thanks for the post. Enjoyed it!

Sep 16, 2012 10:33 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Looks like a nice site...I will check it out.

Sep 17, 2012 06:13 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Lynn, you are always at work thinking of ideas and this is a good one.  I wish you all the success, and knowing you this will work for you my friend.  (sorry to get here late, I've been out of town).  As Alexandra stated (#7)   if this method works for you, then it is perfect.  I often wondered what the acronym ODAT was..."one day at a time" you are soooo creative.

Sep 23, 2012 09:33 AM