The next generation and how they communicate.

I have been doing some research on technology and how to get your message out there.  One of the areas I was looking into was the high school to college age.  These are our future customers/clients and possibly competition in the business.  I have read in many resources that if you do not get into today's technology, you will be left behind and might as well close your doors.  I have heard and read that 85-87% of all people looking for houses start on the internet.  WOW!  that is alot.  The rest of the group probably already has an agent. 

I have seen more and more prospect contact me through e-mail and Yahoo IM that I have on the front page of my website.  As a matter of fact, I had three closings last year that I didn't meet the buyer until the day of closing.  All of our communication was completed through e-mail.  I utilize my desktop scanner that scans 15 pages per minute, full color, both sides, to scan all documents into a pdf file where it can be sent over e-mail and we can talk about it over the phone or by e-mail.  I have even created a webpage on one of the properties I was showing them with about 70 pictures so they could see what they were looking at.  I did a land transaction last year that I never meet the buyer or seller.  The buyer used a Trust Officer from his bank that came to the closing and I meet her but I was able to provide all documents and a clear detail about the property and it worked great.

The younger generation says they block pop-ups, using web browsers to block advertisements and don't watch tv and if they do watch a tv program, they tivo (or equivalent) it and skip the commercials when they do watch it.  OK, if this is true, how do we market to them? 

They love text messaging also.  I just received my cell bill and my son that is a Senior in college had 9,114, my daughter that is a Freshman in college had 14,785 text messages and my youngest daughter that is a Junior in high school had 3,969 text messages.  This is the way they like to communicate, even with mom and dad.  My wife had 911 texts and I had a whopping 410 text messages.  Look who is behind. 

I am on our technology committee for our Board of Realtors and we commented that we like text messages.  Sometimes we can't pick up the phone when it rings but we can send a text message.  It is great to communicate with other agents on follow ups, scheduling a showing etc...  You can quickly send a text "How was the showing" and they can quickly respond "It is one of their favorites" you don't have to say Hi!, hows the weather, the grandkids etc..  Texting allows you to get to the point and be done.  Don't be afraid of texting!  One BIG thing to keep in mind though, don't add emotion to the message.  It is easy to make something out of something that is not there.  ALSO, NEVER USE ALL CAPS IN TEXTING, IT IS EQUIVALENT TO YELLING.

Please give some of your ideas on how you are expanding your marketing to catch this younger generation.

My name is Larry DeGroat and I am a Realtor in Searcy, Arkansas and I sell new homes, existing homes, commercial property, farms and land as well as manage and own rental properties. If you are looking for real estate for an investment or a home, I will be glad to assist you! You can call my personal cell number at 501-278-7659 or e-mail me at Larry@Searcy4Sale.com. Visit my website at http://www.searcy4sale.com if you are looking for Searcy homes for sale or other areas.