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Remember when web-design was not a prerequiste to become a Realtor?

Real Estate Agent with Community First Real Estate

July 18, 2008 03:02 PM

While buyers seem to prefer internet home-buying research (stats say) over the tanigble hardcopy, listing agents are left holding the proverbial "technology bag," fighting to be viewed. What does it take to be seen?
We've moved, rather speedily it seems, from media-ready photos to slide shows to virtual tours to, the latest and, incedentally, the most expensive method of home-viewing, video tours. Certainly a good video tour can eliminate the looky-loos, but doesn't it diminish the Realtor's ability to find the home with the just-right-fit?
Siddling right up to the technology counter are our bloggers and weekly/daily website updaters-enewsletter sender-outers, and buyer drip campaingers. Helpful to the agent, certainly- chock full of tips and hints, friendly advice and back-patters. Does anyone else feel as though they're engaged in an intimate relationship with their ISP?
Craigslist, a venerable listing mecca... YouTube, Metacafe, so on and so on.
Even the local papers have caught on, selling ebanners and esidebars.

Does this mean I need an ecar filled with egas to take me to the estore?

Progression is good- I like efax and estamps...a lot. But I decided to become a Realtor, not a digital virtual tour guide, not a daily blogger, not a Craigslist junkie. Not an web whiz. Yet, it seems, real estate agents are destined to become as well-versed in technology as, well, someone really good at computer stuff.
Ugh.

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Gary Bolen

McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA

CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information

think it does require the e-everything. now we get to go learn our new iphone. eGad!

best

Jul 18, 2008 03:14 PM

David Daniels

Owner of FlyersToYou, Inc. and former Top Realtor - Hemet, CA

Haley,

Since joining ActiveRain....I've realized how many agents are hoping the internet will be the "answer-all" to their real estate marketing dilemma. Posting 100's of blogs on a really great site...or doing inexpensive online flyers and/or placing free ads on Craigslist. These are certainly necessary parts of an overall marketing strategy...but I personally don't believe they'll work effectively on their own toward long-term success. (We do both...online and print...so I'm hoping this doesn't come across as being biased against online strategies. We're definitely not against them at all. But we believe a balanced mix is more effective than internet alone.)

I've watched as many agents have practically stopped their real estate business to learn search engine optimization in their attempts to rank in the ubiquitous Google Top 10. Problem is....there's only room for 10 in the Top 10. The other 3,417 will be somewhere below that.

And in their quest to be ahead of the curve in internet marketing...I see agents searching for, finding, and implementing as many cool, high-tech goodies as they possibly can in hopes of distinguishing themselves from the rest. Video this, virtual that. Almost ad nauseum.

Still...in the last year, I haven't received ANYTHING from a Realtor at my own home. No "Just Listeds", no "Just Solds", no knocks on the door saying "Hi, my name's Mary and I'm your local neighborhood real estate agent."

I've said this before, but if you're looking for an online business where all you have to do is have an internet presence (the "build it and they will come" strategy), then my recommendation would be to contact an importer, buy some widgets and sell them on eBay. But if you're going to be successful at selling real estate for the long haul...I believe you need to mix up your marketing strategies a bit.

As more and more Realtors convert their marketing gameplans to internet-based only, your competition will be stiffer...and you'll spend your entire career trying to keep up with all of the new technologies, SEO optimization strategies, etc.

Meanwhile, the agent who sent out 300 "Just Listed" postcards...may have just taken her 3rd listing this week. My top, top, top customers (those in the $650,000-$1,000,000+ per year earnings category) certainly have an internet presence. They use email (begrudgingly)...and most of their business is based on traditional marketing strategies (referrals and print advertising) that seem to serve them exceptionally well.

Just a little food for thought.

Dave

Jul 18, 2008 03:45 PM

Anonymous

Hey, relax. You could be a travel agent!

Oh.. what... travel agent? What's that?

It's called progress. Lots of industries and professionals have basically bit the dust or diminished to the point of near obscurity (think Polaroid, Kodak..) Companies that basically fought technology... didn't believe in it... didn't think it would affect their business.

Hello Canon, Nikon, Expedia!

Either adopt and change, or you'll be working at the mall. The role of the realtor IS changing, like it or not. You're becoming more of a consultant. Your job will mostly entail marketing and negotiations. The 'legwork' will mostly be done by buyers on their own - online.

Embrace it. Understand it. Make it work to your advantage.

Or work at the mall.

Those who embrace technology and make it work FOR them will run over those who fight it. It's happening already.

Jul 18, 2008 11:35 PM

Teresa McDonald

Whether we like it or not, technology is part of the total package. Real Estate success requires good customer service but without the technology to get you noticed noone will know you offer good service.

Jul 19, 2008 04:20 AM

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate

Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

We invite you back to ActiveRain!

Much has changed since your last blog post.

We would welcome your return.

Aug 21, 2017 07:28 PM

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