I have heard real estate agents described as having herd mentality. Following the crowd, doing what the next guy or girl does and rarely breaking from the pack.
This is can be a positive feature to have when viewed from an ethical, professional and legal prospective. However it may be a bad thing to a homeowner trying to sell their home.
The facts are that print ads are an ineffective way to advertise a home or property for sale when compared to other sources and yet you will see classified black and white ads, full page color ads and publications centered on homes for sale with agent after agent advertisement.
If few people are looking at these sources for information about homes for sale in any given area, why are real estate agents still spending so much of their time and money to be in these newspapers and publications?
It is simple, because the competition is there. As a matter of fact agents will say just that. We need to be in that publication because XYZ Realty is there and we would look bad if we were not.
Forgetting or not caring that little to no calls are ever generated from that advertisement method, agents would rather follow the pack out of some made up fear that not doing so will make them look bad in the eyes of the consumer.
Here is the big tip of the day. The consumer, especially the consumer asking you to sell their home cares about one thing and one thing only, getting their home sold. If you tell them you are wasting money and time advertising their home in a venue simply because the competition is there, at the very least, you might get a confused look from them.
A wise agent does not base their advertisement dollar on where the competition is but instead, does the research to find out where the consumer is. As a consumer you should ask any agent you are interviewing if they know how the majority of the buyer calls they and their office receives are generated. The agent who knows the answer and has a marketing plan centered around those areas may be your best choice.
Related Florida real estate views:
Does your agent have enough money to advertise your home?
Real estate agent costs rise as income dwindles
Are auctions selling homes?
- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255
Showing posts with label online marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online marketing. Show all posts
Oct 10, 2007
Is there a difference between buying an airline ticket and a home online?
The new Department of Justine website states on this page that :
Related Florida real estate views:
The future of real estate advertisement
Will you be able to sell your home in 2008?
5 things Sellers wish their Realtor® would have told them
- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255
The Internet certainly has provide a way for the consumer to find out what is for sale and also allows for the consumer to search for the best services available for the money but I am not aware of a site that the consumer is using to directly purchase a home without having to contact a real estate associate."Just as the Internet has made it easier for consumers to save money by
directly purchasing plane tickets and stocks, it is now making it feasible for
home sellers and buyers to do more of the work themselves and pocket the
savings."
Related Florida real estate views:
The future of real estate advertisement
Will you be able to sell your home in 2008?
5 things Sellers wish their Realtor® would have told them
- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255
Mar 22, 2007
Does the home seller agree?
According to an article from Inman News found here, Prudential Real Estate did not allow Zillow and Trulia to participate in a recent convention. Zillow and Trulia are two of the larger online real estate related websites that provide services to the consumer base from home price evaluation to search features to find properties around the country.
It would seem from the article that Prudential Real Estate the Company, is not interested in taking advantage of any services the two online real estate information providers offer.
Would their customer base agree? It seems to me that the customer would not be concerned with exclusive agreements, referral fees or how many sites highlight their home. On the contrary, I would think that most sellers would agree that you cannot get too much exposure for their home.
Maybe I am wrong, maybe the home buying and selling consumer are more interested in real estate companies gaining control of where the companies listings are being seen online rather than seeing their home listed on as many websites as possible.
And maybe pigs are landing at Orlando International Airport as I write this.
Related Florida real estate views:
No word yet if Zillow will deliver the papers too.
ze zillow iz ze buzz word
Realtor.com survey
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
It would seem from the article that Prudential Real Estate the Company, is not interested in taking advantage of any services the two online real estate information providers offer.
Would their customer base agree? It seems to me that the customer would not be concerned with exclusive agreements, referral fees or how many sites highlight their home. On the contrary, I would think that most sellers would agree that you cannot get too much exposure for their home.
Maybe I am wrong, maybe the home buying and selling consumer are more interested in real estate companies gaining control of where the companies listings are being seen online rather than seeing their home listed on as many websites as possible.
And maybe pigs are landing at Orlando International Airport as I write this.
Related Florida real estate views:
No word yet if Zillow will deliver the papers too.
ze zillow iz ze buzz word
Realtor.com survey
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Nov 5, 2006
Show your home 24/7
Show your home 24/7 with a virtual tour
If we have learned one thing this year, it is that the days of placing a sign in the yard and stepping out of the way of the stampede of buyers has ended, for now. Old and not so old marketing tools have been brought back out of real estate agents marketing closets, dusted off and placed back into use.
One of these not so old tools are the virtual tours. With over 10 months of listing inventory in Central Florida for prospective buyers to choose from, now more than ever is the time to promote your home 24/7. Listing your home with a real estate company and agent with no web presence would be unthinkable in today's real estate age. Sellers should strongly consider allowing their agents to also have professional videos taken of their property so that potential customers can view the home at anytime, day or night.
Giving your home this extra edge against it's competition, may be the difference in price realized and time on the market.
Related Florida real estate views:
Does your agent have enough money to advertise your home?
Finding the right home is like finding a needle in a needle stack
5 things Sellers wish their Realtor® would have told them
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Oct 22, 2006
The great jar opener giveaway
Every year, Watson Realty Corp. conducts a jar opener contest. William Watson Jr, the CEO of Watson Realy believes strongly in this marketing giveaway. These jar openers are round rubber mats that are better describe as a gripping device. Each office or associate has their contact information printed on the jar opener and as part of a reminder to get out and meet the people, each year a company contest rewards associates and consumers alike who receive or pass out these little rubber hand helpers.
As a part of this years contest, I decided to put a jar opener page up on my site. I encourage the associates in Maitland to consider the internet as a strong business source. I received a few requests a month for this giveaway and each time I would assign to a different associate, who was taking an interest in web marketing, the address and customer name so they could send them an opener and have another contact.
Things changed drastically this month. Someone stopped by my site and while hopefully searching for real estate in Florida, they came across my jar opener giveaway page. My page link was then placed at several forums that announce freebies and great online deals and BOOM, suddenly my traffic increased by 1500+ uniques! This went on for 5 straight days. Fortunately I had a "while supplies last" warning on my jar opener page. I have had to suspend the free giveaway. I will be restocking up on personalized jar openers and I am working to get those visitors who got their requests in on time, their openers in a timely manner.
The point of this is wow, how quickly things can change online. Kudos to sites like Absurdly Cool, Red Flag Deals and Free Stuff Times who were the 3 top links to my site. I promise to have more jar opener giveaways along with other marketing pieces. I may include these giveaways in with consumer surveys. Complete a survey on what you look for from a real estate site and get a jar opener or calendar, something along those lines.
Until then, I am now looking to see if I can get my "free no obligation property search feature", picked up by other great online referrers. Any takers?
Related Florida real estate views:
Crazy not to buy real estate today?
The future of real estate advertisement
Is there a difference between buying an airline ticket and a home online?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
As a part of this years contest, I decided to put a jar opener page up on my site. I encourage the associates in Maitland to consider the internet as a strong business source. I received a few requests a month for this giveaway and each time I would assign to a different associate, who was taking an interest in web marketing, the address and customer name so they could send them an opener and have another contact.
Things changed drastically this month. Someone stopped by my site and while hopefully searching for real estate in Florida, they came across my jar opener giveaway page. My page link was then placed at several forums that announce freebies and great online deals and BOOM, suddenly my traffic increased by 1500+ uniques! This went on for 5 straight days. Fortunately I had a "while supplies last" warning on my jar opener page. I have had to suspend the free giveaway. I will be restocking up on personalized jar openers and I am working to get those visitors who got their requests in on time, their openers in a timely manner.
The point of this is wow, how quickly things can change online. Kudos to sites like Absurdly Cool, Red Flag Deals and Free Stuff Times who were the 3 top links to my site. I promise to have more jar opener giveaways along with other marketing pieces. I may include these giveaways in with consumer surveys. Complete a survey on what you look for from a real estate site and get a jar opener or calendar, something along those lines.
Until then, I am now looking to see if I can get my "free no obligation property search feature", picked up by other great online referrers. Any takers?
Related Florida real estate views:
Crazy not to buy real estate today?
The future of real estate advertisement
Is there a difference between buying an airline ticket and a home online?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Feb 10, 2006
ze zillow iz ze buzz word
The latest buzz word when it comes to the internet and real estate. http://www.zillow.com/ has been created by the same group that created expedia.com. There are of course the 'sky is falling crowd' that think this will end the Realtor's job as we know it and there is the 'dig your heels in the dirt crowd' that think nothing will ever change the basic industry we make our living from. I think that this is just another in a long list of evolutionary events that will ultimately help improve our industry and not destroy it.
The customer is King and information is the royal bounty. If you have not figured that out yet, pull up a chair and prepare to get a business spanking. Control for control's sake is as dated a business practice as the 9-5 work week. Instead of worrying about limiting the information that our customers receive until they make a commitment to us, our time would be better spent improving the services, education and tools we provide those customers once they are ready to step out into the world to start buying or selling real estate. Should we have the vision to incorporate an easily accessible, content driven online information source coupled with the ever improving services, tools and education, the sky will be the limit instead of falling.
Related Florida real estate views:
The great jar opener giveaway
Realtor.com survey
Positioning ourselves for real estate success in the years ahead
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
The customer is King and information is the royal bounty. If you have not figured that out yet, pull up a chair and prepare to get a business spanking. Control for control's sake is as dated a business practice as the 9-5 work week. Instead of worrying about limiting the information that our customers receive until they make a commitment to us, our time would be better spent improving the services, education and tools we provide those customers once they are ready to step out into the world to start buying or selling real estate. Should we have the vision to incorporate an easily accessible, content driven online information source coupled with the ever improving services, tools and education, the sky will be the limit instead of falling.
Related Florida real estate views:
The great jar opener giveaway
Realtor.com survey
Positioning ourselves for real estate success in the years ahead
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Dec 26, 2005
2006 will bring change
As I look back on 2005 I am pleased with the course my real estate career took.
First, I realized in December 0f 2004 that merely having a real estate website was not good enough. I spent countless hours reading, researching and guessing about how I could be sure my personal site is seen by the customer or seller looking for Florida real estate.
When the very 1st "lookers" stopped by my site in February(approximately 400 unique views according to my stats), I knew I was on to something. Then in March I acquired my very 1st listing from an online visitor. When it sold to a buyer who also came from my site, I was hooked. Over 1 million hits later and a substantial amount of new business, I firmly believe that Realtors should no longer ignore the business that can be generated from having a content driven, updated website. I have coached the Deland associates accordingly and expect several of them to benefit from their early understanding of the power of the net.
Speaking of coaching, 2005 brought the opportunity to be an assistant manager for the Deland office. Since August I have had the pleasure of assisting associates in our office with their troublesome deals, suggestions for marketing and hopefully a tip here and there. My goal has been to help them see first how to "make a living" selling real estate. I'll let them show me how to be a superstar from that point on. The creation of the "Monsters of real estate", a marketing group, will hopefully go a long way in solidifying the careers of several of our newer associates and help a seasoned associate or two take their business to a new level.
All said, it has been a good year. I've met some great people and have discovered that this career I chose so many years ago, still offers new challenges.
2006 ushers in a another new turn in the road. I have been offered and have accepted the Branch manager position of Watson's Maitland office. Maitland is similar in size and production as the Deland office. I'm looking forward to meeting this new group of professionals in the coming days. This year should require old school marketing ways mixed with new technology to stay ahead of the competition. I'm looking forward to working with the Maitland associates to reach the right mix of both to insure our continued success.
Happy New Year!
Related Florida real estate views:
I am now the Broker/Manager of Watson Realty's Kissimmee office
Watson Realty announces new manager appointment
Watson Realty announces management change in Orlando
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
First, I realized in December 0f 2004 that merely having a real estate website was not good enough. I spent countless hours reading, researching and guessing about how I could be sure my personal site is seen by the customer or seller looking for Florida real estate.
When the very 1st "lookers" stopped by my site in February(approximately 400 unique views according to my stats), I knew I was on to something. Then in March I acquired my very 1st listing from an online visitor. When it sold to a buyer who also came from my site, I was hooked. Over 1 million hits later and a substantial amount of new business, I firmly believe that Realtors should no longer ignore the business that can be generated from having a content driven, updated website. I have coached the Deland associates accordingly and expect several of them to benefit from their early understanding of the power of the net.
Speaking of coaching, 2005 brought the opportunity to be an assistant manager for the Deland office. Since August I have had the pleasure of assisting associates in our office with their troublesome deals, suggestions for marketing and hopefully a tip here and there. My goal has been to help them see first how to "make a living" selling real estate. I'll let them show me how to be a superstar from that point on. The creation of the "Monsters of real estate", a marketing group, will hopefully go a long way in solidifying the careers of several of our newer associates and help a seasoned associate or two take their business to a new level.
All said, it has been a good year. I've met some great people and have discovered that this career I chose so many years ago, still offers new challenges.
2006 ushers in a another new turn in the road. I have been offered and have accepted the Branch manager position of Watson's Maitland office. Maitland is similar in size and production as the Deland office. I'm looking forward to meeting this new group of professionals in the coming days. This year should require old school marketing ways mixed with new technology to stay ahead of the competition. I'm looking forward to working with the Maitland associates to reach the right mix of both to insure our continued success.
Happy New Year!
Related Florida real estate views:
I am now the Broker/Manager of Watson Realty's Kissimmee office
Watson Realty announces new manager appointment
Watson Realty announces management change in Orlando
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Oct 20, 2005
Realtor.com survey
I just finished a survey that was emailed to me on behalf of Realtor.com. The questions centered around online marketing and lead generating programs. I came away after finishing it with the feeling that Realtor.com may be looking to offer something similar to the Lending Trees & Homegains of the online world to Realtors. Pay for leads. I've never used Realtor.com for any listing advertising more than the 1 free picture ad all Realtors receive free for being members. I cannot recall the price for increased exposure, but my feelings are that it is quite high.
I do think Realtors should be the first avenue of lead collecting. It is our business after all. I preach at sales meetings the importance of our associates obtaining an online presence. However, much to the delight of the commercial online lead generating companies, Realtors seem to spend more money and energy learning about and buying the newest cell phone with more bells and whistles that they need than they ever do developing a solid, customer oriented online presence.. When asked about their personal websites, the responses range from "don't have one" or "mine never brings me any business".
I'm not going to pay for leads. It does not matter who is selling them. I'm going to continue to develop sites that are customer oriented, provides valuable and current information and the leads will come. If you search Deland real estate, you will find me and not some major commercial lead generating company, I like to think that is what the customer expects from their online search results. A local Realtor to assist them immediately.
Related Florida real estate views:
Imagine an entire real estate office blogging
The future of real estate advertisement
Is there a difference between buying an airline ticket and a home online?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
I do think Realtors should be the first avenue of lead collecting. It is our business after all. I preach at sales meetings the importance of our associates obtaining an online presence. However, much to the delight of the commercial online lead generating companies, Realtors seem to spend more money and energy learning about and buying the newest cell phone with more bells and whistles that they need than they ever do developing a solid, customer oriented online presence.. When asked about their personal websites, the responses range from "don't have one" or "mine never brings me any business".
I'm not going to pay for leads. It does not matter who is selling them. I'm going to continue to develop sites that are customer oriented, provides valuable and current information and the leads will come. If you search Deland real estate, you will find me and not some major commercial lead generating company, I like to think that is what the customer expects from their online search results. A local Realtor to assist them immediately.
Related Florida real estate views:
Imagine an entire real estate office blogging
The future of real estate advertisement
Is there a difference between buying an airline ticket and a home online?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
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