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Buyers and Sellers: What YOU Should Know About Social Networking and Why

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Link to Linked InIf you are reading this you are undoubtedly one of the 80%+ of buyers and sellers who are using the Internet to research the real estate market and gather information to assist you in your home search or sale. That being the case you likely know something about social networking on the Internet, or at least have heard of some of the popular sites where folks congregate on -line - MySpace perhaps being one of the better known networks.

As a buyer or seller, you should know about social networking and how this can help you in your buying or selling. Here's why, and what you should know.

  • Social networks have changed dramatically since MySpace was first launched, and there are numerous sites where on-line "friends" can gather to share information, develop relationships, play games, show photos and videos, and much more. Much of this is likely a waste of your time if you are seriously interested in using the social network to help you with your real estate needs.

 Link to Twitter

  • Sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, ActiveRain and Facebook are among the best sites for social networking where savvy real estate professionals are found. Take advantage of this. Who is there? What are they saying and how? Do they sound like someone you should know and may want to work with?

 

  • The Internet world is very transparent and getting more that way all the time. The information you have access to as a buyer or seller have never been as significant or as easy to access. Indeed, it can sometimes be overwhelming. Don't let it be the only source of information, but take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Then touch base with someone live.

 Who am I on-line?

  • Social networks and reading blogs (e.g., ActiveRain) enable you to learn what you need to know before you make any choices around working with a particular REALTOR. What you can find out about real estate professionals on-line (what they know, how they work, their personalities, their experience) now empowers consumers to make decisions about people they wish to work with in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. That is the beauty of transparency, and the benefit to you as an on-line consumer.

 Some, but not all, of what you need to know is on-line

  • Real estate professionals on Twitter (which, by the way, is for anyone who wants to engage with others on-line, irrespective of professional or personal background) share what they know about the real estate market in short 140-character or less "micro blogs" viewable by anyone - recent happenings, new listings, recent sales, community events, virtually anything anyone wants to talk about. It's NOT all just real estate but it IS about on-line interactions and relationships. Folks on Twitter have the pulse on their communities (e.g., witness the on-line discussions around the current wildfires in CA) and businesses, share what they know and care about, and form a network with other Internet-savvy folks in the real estate business, and outside, who can add value, share information, answer questions and provide services. You will likely see "follow me on Twitter ______ (e.g., @jdowler)" for those agents who are part of this social network. The value of Twitter for buyers and sellers is immeasurable and growing all the time.

 

  • LinkedIn provides a means to learn about the professional credentials of today's tech-savvy real estate professional with on-line resumes and profiles. You can see who recommends them, what is said about them, and what their experience is. Search LinkedIn for agents you have an interest in, or whose blogs you read.

 

Social networkingEven if you do not participate in the social networking arena yourself, realizing that certain real estate professionals know and understand the value of being part of these networks provides assurance that they also recognize the value of on-line marketing, and can use it effectively in working with buyers and sellers, whether it's finding homes for clients, learning about communities, conducting research, or marketing homes for sellers.

Look for these logos (or links to them) as you explore the real estate world on-line.

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or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

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All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Comments (42)

Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Really good post Jeff.  Agents who have built up their social networks bring value to their clients through increased traffic and exposure to their listings online.  It also takes a higher level of awareness of the industry to blog coherently on the community and real estate market, all of which is very valuable to buyers and sellers in the housing market.

Nov 17, 2008 04:32 PM
Susie Blackmon
Ocala, FL
Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

I love it when people say they see me everywhere on the internet! Keeping it real. Plenty of things to do while our market here is quiet (understatement), and you created a great list/explanation!


Nov 17, 2008 06:02 PM
Annette Smith
Allen Real Estate Services, Inc. - Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Real Estate Agent

Jeff, I'll find you on Twitter today.  Excellent post.  Social networking has taken the place of meeting at the corner cafe to network, the same as email and internet marketing is taking the place of a significant amount of print advertising.  More local/global exposure!

Nov 17, 2008 09:44 PM
Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton
Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC

You did a great job of explaining some of the alternative sites.  Facebook and Twitter are starting to get big attention from Realtors.  Guess I'm next!

Nov 17, 2008 10:16 PM
Benita Gottfried
New Vision Interiors LLC - Hopatcong, NJ

Good post, it may help clients to understand what the social networking scene is all about. It is more than socializing and catching up with old friends. It is a new way of marketing that it probably here to stay for a long time to come.

Nov 17, 2008 10:17 PM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Hi Jeff-what an awesome post and one worth reblogging!  What a great way to let buyers and sellers know where and how to find you and the benefits of social networking.

Nov 17, 2008 10:37 PM
Realty Dot Com (Realty.com)
Realty.com - Charlotte, NC

Awesome stuff.  Social Networks and Social Media as a whole truly is paving the way for more interaction in EVERY industry.  Kudos!

Nov 17, 2008 10:58 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

100% helpful, good perspective on the benefits to buyers and sellers.  I liked this article very much.

Nov 18, 2008 12:21 AM
Andrew Chong
Realm Real Estate Professionals - Houston, TX

Great post. Somehow or another we've got to get out there in front of buyers and sellers who are on the internet. I recently started blogging and joined Facebook. Just the exercise in itself was revealing and I'm realizing day by day how powerful social networking is. Keep up the good posts.

Andrew Chong

www.andrewchonghomes.com

 

Nov 18, 2008 12:27 AM
Sonja Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

This is great....buyers and sellers can now find us through our online networking....perhaps they were not aware of all the places to look!

Nov 18, 2008 01:19 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

This is a great post.  There is so much out there for everyone, including the agents! 

Nov 18, 2008 01:43 AM
#33
Jason Fleming
Jason Fleming Agency INC - Coon Rapids, MN

This is a great post! There is so much out there for everone, including the agents!

Nov 18, 2008 01:47 AM
Anonymous
Keith Strawn

The availability of social network sites is almost overwhelming. No, no "almost" about it. It is overwhelming. Thanks for adding a little perspective to it all.

Nov 18, 2008 01:56 AM
#35
Anonymous
Keith Strawn

The availability of social network sites is almost overwhelming. No, no "almost" about it. It is overwhelming. Thanks for adding a little perspective to it all.

Nov 18, 2008 01:56 AM
#36
Richard Barbee
Realty Executives Assoc - Knoxville, TN

You did a great job with this entry.  This was very detailed and helpful.

I have used all the networks except Twitter.

I appreciate the time you took to do this.

Nov 18, 2008 02:55 AM
Anonymous
Amber Gardner

This is really great... You should add re-blog to it!

Amber

Nov 18, 2008 03:05 AM
#38
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Jeff, this is a good one.  More and more these sites will be that much more important to the consumer when they choose a realtor to work with.  I am glad that we are set up on each site that you mentioned !  We have Active Rain to thank for that : )

Nov 18, 2008 05:36 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Jeff - I think social networks are the "new frontier" for prospecting and matching buyers and sellers.

Nov 18, 2008 11:18 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Hi Jeff, I commented on a blog that had nothing to do with real estate the other night. He had his linkedin and twitter profiles on his side bar. Cool, I thought. He commented back and we now follow each other on Twitter. Turns out he graduated from U of M. So I already know a lot about him.

Social networking rocks.

Nov 18, 2008 11:27 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Debbie - you are welcome. Thanks for stopping in.

Brenda - hope you are participating in the social media world

Brian - well it can be confusing, especially to folks who are not yet participating.

Debe - way to go. We need to help educate our clients.

Sally - that is the beauty of the on-line world, isn't it?

Rita - thanks for the compliment. Weeding through all the info can be a challenge, and there are often contradictions. That's why savvy buyers and sellers need help to sort through the chaff.

Bill - agreed. And it makes sense. Folks often want to have a relationship with someone who is like them.

Jeff

Nov 18, 2008 05:54 PM