Why an Out-of-the-Box Approach to Selling Homes Attracts Buyers
Jan - 15 | 
In today’s competitive real estate market it is essential that real estate professionals think outside the box when it comes to marketing homes. While yard signs, print ads, and open houses remain popular, today’s well informed home buyers are looking for an agent who will go out of his way to connect with them, which typically means leveraging the Web to attract buyers. By incorporating the latest technology into his or her marketing plan, a tech-savvy agent can seamlessly connect with buyers, instantly provide property information, and gain an edge over the competition.
Just how important is technology when it comes to selling homes? By utilizing some of the same e-commerce techniques you might find on consumer Websites such as Amazon and eBay, I have been able to get hundreds of motivated buyers to connect with my Web sites and online listings each and every month.
Reaching Out to Potential Buyers
Connecting with buyers is the name of the game in today’s market. One of the first things a potential buyer sees when they visit any of my websites is a “Search Widget”, which provides buyers with the ability to find and research homes. My Search Widget is a great tool to capture those buyers. In fact, once an individual registers at the website, the system notifys me and I can call them back within minutes.
Connecting with potential buyers doesn’t stop there. I also promote within my online listings, providing opportinities to register for free reports and market information. If someone is searching for properties online and pulls up one of my listings, the search widget and registration links are included right there in the property Web site. This is a great way to generate interest among buyers, follow up with these leads immediately, and provide more information about the property.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
As Web-based real estate technologies continue to improve and consumers increasingly turn to their PC, tablet, or smart phone for information, it’s becoming more crucial than ever that an agent stays ahead of the curve, which is now trending towards Mobile Search apps. My Mobile Search app enables clients to view listings while on-the-go. If a buyer happens to pass a home they like the Mobile Search app can pull up the property and show the client pictures of the inside right then and there.
Text Message marketing is another technology that can be custom-tailored for real estate applications. Using Text Message marketing in my print ads and signs enables prospective home buyers to send a short code (text message) via their mobile phone to a dedicated phone number and receive property information instantly on their cell phone. Buyers receive brief property info (price, bed, bath etc.), a contact number to call and a link to the mobile property website. The system also captures the home buyer’s phone number, sends me an instant email notification, and saves the lead in my database.
Having become become more tech-savvy, home buyers expect REALTORS® to do the same. With “out -of-the-box” features such as the Search Widget, the Mobile Search app, and Text Message marketing, my clients can search for homes online when it’s convenient for them while providing privacy, control and flexibility in researching homes for sale.
This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.
In all the confusion of choosing the right agent to list your home, determining an asking price and developing a marketing strategy, sellers almost always forget to ask (and their agents neglect to explain) what exactly is going to happen to them during the home sale process! “What to Expect While On the Market” is a series of posts I have created that are designed to give you an overview of the typical home-selling process, help you understand why we do things the way we do, and why we give the advice we give.
