This is a follow up to Scott Hayes’ post entitled “If You’re Such a ‘Great’ Agent, Why Does Your Online Presentation Stink?” (minor change to his title, my own) It is an interesting post because it touches on exactly how relaxed many agents have become when it comes to taking photographs of their listings.
After meeting with friends, Scott decides to conduct his own experiment in Austin, Texas in order to see how many agents actually use cellphone cameras and poor angles in taking photos of their high-end properties for online marketing purposes.
So, Scott has a bone to pick. I agree. If you are going to earn upwards of 30k in commission on your listing, you could manage to hire a photographer or at least dedicate a bit of time to taking some really great photos that showcase the features of the property.
But, on the flip side of the coin, I want to talk about something else. What about all of those agents who have a good online presentation but cannot complete a contract to save their lives? What about them?
Education is everything. I’m all for an education. Realtor® designations are important and I’ve participated in my fair share of these courses. But, just because I can take a photo and have a designation, does that make me a better agent? I’m acquainted with a handful of honest, ethical agents who close upwards of 50 transactions per year consistently every year decade after decade no matter the market. A few of these agents do not have any designations. But, boy do these guys have the experience. Any problem that arises, they have seen it before. They have a list of suggestions and solutions longer than Yao Ming’s leg (yes, I like basketball).
So, in a nutshell, while I think that Scott makes a very valid point about the quality of our online presence—particularly when 83% of consumers begin their home search online—I’ve gotta wonder about what happens next. Do those agents with a great online presence know what to do next? Can they write a bulletproof contract? Are they fearless negotiators and strong strategists? Those are qualities that an Internet consumer may not be able to judge at first glance.
Disclaimer: This post is all about generalizations. For those who are skimming, I have designations. I have education. I have tons of closings under my belt. I can write a contract, and I can also hire a photographer. But, the question is: What about you? ;-)
Photo: flickr creative commons by Qthomasbower
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