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Online Reviews are Important / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too)

I have something stuck in my head.  It came from the Stefan Swanepoel seminar that I went to a few weeks ago.  Stefan spoke about advertising, specifically print & mailers.  He said that while a large number of realtors used the "I'm #1 in sales," or "I'm the top listing agent," only 19% of the public believed statements like that.  The rest of the group relied upon online reviews.  Wow.  Pretty powerful stuff.  Especially since I've used those ads myself.  

After the seminar, I couldn't stop thinking about that point.  I use online reviews all the time.  So it made perfect sense to me that others would too.  For instance, when I'm making a purchase, I go to Amazon & look up my item to read what others are saying.  Or I check at Epinions or Consumer Search.  Getting the lowdown from other purchasers makes a difference for me.  And the same goes for restaurants & services.   I look at b4-u-eat or the Houston Press for dining and RateKingwood for local services.

I am fortunate that the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) understands the value of the online review.  They have implemented something called the Client Experience Rating.  You can opt in for this program that sends an email to a client after closing for a rating/review of the realtor.  It is all or nothing participation.  You can't pick & choose the clients emails are sent to.  However, you are able to respond to a bad review.  And not every client takes the time to fill out the survey, so you may send out many more than are rated.   I think this service will help fill the bill for those searching for the agent reviews before hiring someone to sell their home.  
HAR Client Experience Rating
HAR Client Experience Rating

This is still an area I am going to think about for awhile.  I really believe the online reviews matter.  And I'm going to see how else I will get the word out - maybe I'll tweet it or put something on FB...

Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection sells real estate in Walden on Lake Houston, Eagle Springs, SummerwoodAtascocita, TX, Kingwood Greens, Royal Shores & Kingwood, TX - just to name a few!  Susan's the team leader for Your Texas Connection at Keller Williams Realty NE.  Visit their website for more in depth info about the team and what they can do for you.  Or call Susan direct (281) 415-1454 if you'd like her to start working on your behalf today

Posted by

             Susan Brown       

Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty

(281) 415-1454   www.YourTexasConnection.com

 

 

Comments (11)

Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS
ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA
'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Interesting post Susan! Some great reviews!

Jun 30, 2010 08:34 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Michele - Thanks.  And I'm hoping future clients are checking them out.

Jun 30, 2010 08:36 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Susan- great reviews (however, I'm not surprised).  Why don't you include it in an e-Newsletter!  I know that I check the consumer reviews when I'm purchasing something. 

Jul 01, 2010 03:59 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Kathy - Thanks for the great idea!  I'm working on my e-Newsletter now.

Jul 01, 2010 11:09 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Pretty soon everything in the world will be online and we'll never have to actually meet people. LOL

Jul 02, 2010 01:52 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Susan -- Great topic and when it's public facing, the risks-rewards is always that much higher.  I put my client kudos on my website and I have had clients hire me directly without even meeting me in person after reading these kudos, so that's another spot as I totally agree with you that clients don't care about who is #1, they only care about WIIFM -- What's in it for me!

I too rely on other online reviewers, I wish there was some neutral, 3rd party that could effectively administer something like this where ALL the client reviews for a real estate agent went on there, both good and bad, now that would make it transparent.  But it would have to be 100% mandatory participation.  Imagine if it were there, Wowsa on the impact that would have.  You found find agents asking: How high do you want me to jump sir/maam?

Jul 04, 2010 04:31 PM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Russel - We laugh at that but it's kind of scary!

Chris - Absolutely.  I thought about that too but it would have to be 100% mandatory otherwise some agents would just change the spin on why they weren't a part of it. 

Jul 05, 2010 02:58 AM
Mary Kay Hopkins
Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC e-PRO, GRI, CRS, CRB - Lake Charles, LA
e-PRO,GRI,CRS

Susan, thanks for a post regarding on-line reviews that invites a review of on-line reviews.  Chris (#7) articulated my sentiments on this subject quite well.

Jul 05, 2010 04:21 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Susan, wow!  Here we have a lot of people using Angie's List.  And Realtors are now included.  I think it's a great idea.

Jul 05, 2010 04:50 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Mary Kay - I think Chris' comments were right on the mark.

Pat - I haven't gotten Angie's List in my list of sites to use yet.  But it is now!

Jul 05, 2010 05:10 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Congratulations! 

A lot of happy clients! 

I heard that it is now almost 90% of consumers who trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Oct 01, 2017 10:36 AM