Special offer

Would you attach a QR code to your for sale signs?

By
Real Estate Agent with Americom Realty

Just signed up with Clikbrix and received my personal QR code.  I will be the first REALTOR in my area to try this out and I am excited about the possibilities.

I am very curious to find out what other REALTORS think of this technology and if you would consider using it, or have any ideas on the best way to utilize it.

Warner Robins QR code

Scan your smart phone at the picture above for a peek inside, property details, price and more...

In short, the code can be attached to your yard signs or printed directly on them. It can also be printed on all your marketing material, including business cards, mugs, flyers, etc. Clikbrix will provide you with weatherproof stickers for your yard sign, or you can have any printer/sign shop, print them directly on your signs or marketing material.

When a buyer with a smartphone, scans your code, they are directed to your personal mobile site with listing, contact and neighborhood info.

For a demo...point your smart phone bar code reader at the picture and you will be directed to my mobile listing website. If you do not have a bar code reader, type in m.clikbrix.com in your mobile browser and download the qr code reader.

You can also go directly to the mobile site by typing m.clikbrix.com/t/121  into your mobile browser.

The desktop link to my test site is here:  Ethan Hutten Clikbrix profile

I think that right now, especially in my market, I am ahead of the curve with this.  However, I believe that in a few years these codes will be as common as phone numbers and web addresses.

What do you think?

 

Posted by

Ethan Hutten has been a licensed REALTOR in Warner Robins, Georgia for over 14 years and is currently an Associate Broker for Americom Realty. He is known throughout Warner Robins, Macon, Perry, Kathleen and the surrounding area for his work with first-time buyers, as well as, seasoned investors.

Ethan started his real estate career working with investors and flipping homes. Within his first year, he became highly sought after by both local and international investors searching for the perfect property. Ethan takes pride in showing investors, and REALTORS® how they can make money on residential, multi-family and commercial properties. 

Comments (11)

Charles D'Alessandro
Fillmore Real Estate - Brooklyn, NY

I think I don't know. I have wrestled with the same question. But as much as technology move forward, people do like to speak to a live person. So Ethan with all that. It guess couldn't hurt!

Aug 31, 2010 07:51 AM
Ethan Hutten
Americom Realty - Warner Robins, GA
When EH Hutten Talks....

Hopefully it will make it easier for buyers to get in touch with me and they wont have to write down numbers and remember addresses.

Also, the technology may eventually replace listing flyers, that seem to disappear at alarming rates.

Aug 31, 2010 07:57 AM
Mark Hitz
Keller Williams - The Colony, TX

Ethan ~ This is a new one on me.  How much does this cost you per month?  So let me understand the process. 

I drive up to your home for sale and read these instructions on the sign rider?   So for a peek inside, details, price and more I have to go to a website and download software on my phone.  Then I walk up to the sign and scan in the code?  Where is the scanner on my Verizon Droid?  Does the software I had to download create a scanner on my screen?

Downloading software? Getting out of my car to scan your sign? That just seems like work.  Maybe the techie types who think this is fun will jump on it.

If I was a buyer with a smart phone who pulled up to your listing sign and wanted more details what would I do?  Call my buyers agent. Don't have one? I would click on the Zillow app on my phone.  It would open and use it's gps to show me the homes for sale.  I click on your home and it provides the details / pics you uploaded to the MLS.  Or I would just google realtor.com.  

 

 

 

 

 

Or I could use my phone as a phone and call the number on the sign.  Hello Ethan, I'm sitting in front of 4356 Maple St....

Aug 31, 2010 10:29 AM
Anonymous
Erik Goldhar

Hi Ethan,

Thank you very much for the post.  I wanted to jump in and see if I could help answer some of the questions being asked.  Charles and Mark - thank you very much for engaging in the conversation.  I have broken down some of the questions/comments below:

QR Code Reader Software:

Most Smartphones come with a QR Code reader pre-installed.  Blackberries have a pre-installed reader as part of Backberry Messenger 5.0.  Droid devices (the Google Platform) come with Barcode Reader (Google's own QR Code Reader). iPhones have no less than 75 readers available that take less than 20 seconds to download.  Keep in mind many huge brands are marketing with QR Codes these days (for a list click here).  Add to this list The Gap, the entire Automotive Industry and the JFK Presidential Library and Museum

Remember, you only need to download a reader once and you have the ability to scan any QR Code from that point on, not just the ones you find on For Sales signs.  So you may have downloaded your QR Code Reader because you saw a Best Buy ad but now that same Reader will scan Ethan's code as well.

Mobile Site Access:

If you notice in Ethan's QR Code sticker there is a short URL.  This is to ensure that people who have no QR knowledge, don't have the time to download a Reader or couldn't be bothered still have an opportunity to visit Ethan's listings and information.  We don't exclude anyone from accessing the information that they want.  This is far easier than opening up yet another APP and doing a GPS search and linking to the property.  Doing a Google or Realtor.com search is even more time consuming.  If you visit Ethan's page you see that there is a button called "Get A QR Code Reader" this allows Ethan to provide his potential clients with one-touch access to get the right reader for their phone type.  Ethan's pages also allow any interested party to contact him with one touch via phone, email or social network.  Interested parties can also share Ethan's profile and properties via email, Facebook and Twitter.

Clikbrix QR Code Applications:

Ethan's code is not just meant to be put on For Sale signage.  Ethan's code is his to do what he wants with.  He may decide to apply the code to his business cards, bus shelter ads, direct mail fliers, fridge magnets, his website, his Active Rain or Facebook profile, or many other key touchpoints.  For Sale signage is just one of many applications and this is where we feel QR Codes are differentiated and more valuable compared to other marketing tactics.  Other mobile tactics rely on Search and Location.  But what if the perspective homebuyer is not searching? And what if the potential buyer is not near the house that is for sale?  QR Codes used on a number of applications helps solve this problem.

Reporting:

Ethan is also getting reporting for all the activity on his Profile Page, Listings Pages and QR Code scans.  Ethan will be able to see which properties are not pulling well or what days of the week are generating the most activity, or which property listings are resulting in the most or least leads, etc.

Information anytime and anywhere:

Some people may have the time to sit in front of a home and call the Agent from the phone number on the sign. But some people may not have that time and others may not want to contact the Agent from the get go.  The QR Code, alternative short URL and the supporting mobile website is not meant to replace the phone number but rather to capture the interest of potential homebuyers that for whatever reason don't have the time to pick up the phone or want to pick it up.  The solution also removes the need to write anything down or remember anything. 

Differentiation:

Gaining new customers is a tough business for Real Estate Professionals.  The Clikbrix QR Code and the associated mobile website is a huge point of differentiation for Ethan.  Home-buyers and Home-sellers alike will see that Ethan is on the cutting edge of Mobile Marketing and that he is going above and beyond in order to provide the best possible service to his clients.  We truly feel that QR Code marketing for Real Estate will be second nature and Ethan will be at the forefront of this emerging space.

Price:

Clikbrix is $34/month.  For that investment our Real Estate Professionals get:

A branded QR Code that they can use anywhere and everywhere that will drive people back to him/her and his/her property listings no matter where they are  

Unlimited amount of property listings (create 1 or 100)

A complete mobile website built for all smartphone devices and the iPad  

Complete reporting and analytics on his QR Code and Webpages

Automatic search engine optimization for all webpages.  

Exposure for being among the very first to use this form of marketing  

 

I hope I have been able to clarify the benefits of QR Code marketing for Real Estate and specifically the Clikbrix solution.  If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to respond and I will do my best to help out.

Thank you all again for participating in the conversation.

Sincerely,

Erik Goldhar

Partner, Clikbrix.com

 

 

 

Aug 31, 2010 12:50 PM
#4
Ethan Hutten
Americom Realty - Warner Robins, GA
When EH Hutten Talks....

Mark,

thanks for the comments.  I think you make some great points and I know that it will be awhile before people become familiar with the new smartphones and the apps available.  I currently use a droid and there is a bar code scanner already installed.  Eventually, buyers will simply point there smart phone and the technology will already be available.  But for now, it is necessary to educate the public.

I view this technology the same as websites were viewed when I first entered the business.  People asked "why would I go through the trouble of dialing up to the internet, waiting for a connection, typing in a web address and then viewing pictures of a house...when I could just call the agent to show me the inside!"

But as most active rainers know, today, something like 90% of homebuyers start there search on-line and many dont want to speak with an agent until they are ready.  The QR code gives buyers instant access to the listing info, my contact info, plus the buyers are directed to my site. 

With the realtor.com or zillow app, we become just another listing among thousands.

Ultimately, I think it gives the buyers control and choices.  Of course I still have my cell-phone and office number on the sign and that won't change.

This will be my first week trying it out so I really cant say if it has helped my business yet.  However, it definitely blew the sellers away at yesterday's listing appointment.  At the very minimum, the codes give a great tool to add to my listing presentations.

Please check out the clikbrix website for pricing.  They have different packages, for individual agents and for Brokers.

In a couple of weeks I will give an update on any successes/failures

Aug 31, 2010 12:59 PM
Ethan Hutten
Americom Realty - Warner Robins, GA
When EH Hutten Talks....

Thanks Erik,

You beat me by a few minutes!  I went to the sign store today to have some name riders printed up.  Can I email you the proof when its ready...and tell me what you think?

Aug 31, 2010 01:02 PM
Mark Hitz
Keller Williams - The Colony, TX

Ethan - Let me know how it works out for you! 

Somedays I feel like a dinosaur.  I look at my 5 year old who can easily operate my DVR, my laptop, my droid apps ... and I just feel old.

Mark

Aug 31, 2010 06:35 PM
Anonymous
Darrin

You can buy stickers for your Real Estate signs and Riders at http://www.SignQRcode.com

They work great!

Oct 31, 2010 04:31 PM
#8
Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast

This is cutting edge technology and while it may not be necessary to get a home sold, it shows your sellers that you are at the forefront of technology in our industry.  I think it's still too new to know what sort of difference it will make for us, but I commend you for using it!  I look forward to getting updates from you as to how it's going.

Nov 02, 2010 02:52 AM
Anonymous
Solenia

I loooooove it!!!

 I'm new to smarts phones and I just learned about this technology and I think its Brilliant!!!!

 

Nov 11, 2010 08:26 AM
#10
Anonymous
Gary

I am teaching agents how to use this technology right now. The critical thing to know is the average home buyer in the USA is 38 years old. That means they are Gen X'ers. They love technology! I am using these codes for business cards, Office signage, and the coolest thing I started doing is making plastic signs for sign posts on listings. The sign has the QR code with text that says...." If The Flyers Are Gone, Scan Image With Smart Phone To Up Load Flyer". This is working great as it attracts clients with the "Cool" factor. PLUS, your information is now in their phone! Not a card or flyer that can be damaged or lost. There is so mush more I can't go into here, but this is the future! You will see these everywhere! If you want a glimps of the near future google Nokia Morph Phone and watch that video!!! Most amazing thing I have ever seen. Bar none. Gary ~ Cudos to Ethan for being creative and looking to the future. :)

Jan 29, 2011 02:23 AM
#11