It is a given that we are living in a digital age. It is also a fact that homebuyers are doing their research online before contacting a real estate agent or broker.
- In the Real Estate in the Digital Age 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than 44 percent of homebuyers searched for properties online before contacting a Realtor.
- Generationally, 53 percent of younger Baby Boomers (those aged mid-50s ) looked at online properties.
- Of the Internet sources used in home searches, 95 percent of buyers used Websites, 72 percent used a mobile/tablet device or app, and 36 percent used video.
- A shockingly high number of buyers — 58 percent — found a home using their mobile device. And 14 percent found a real estate agent using their mobile device.
But home buyers are not the only ones taking advantage of the digital age.
How Real Estate Agents
Are Using the Internet
NAR reports that 93 percent of real estate agencies have a Website and that agents want their brokerages to expand their use of technology.
However, Internet usage in real estate marketing decreases with age. For example, those 29 years and younger were more likely to have a real estate blog or intending to start one, than real estate agents who were 50 and older.
And while NAR says that most members feel comfortable using social media (26%), there are many who do not. In fact, 7 percent of Realtors don’t use social media at all.
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How to Beat the Competition
There are many ways to get started using all the Internet offers to stay relevant in today’s real estate digital age.
It is all part of creating a Web Presence so homebuyers and sellers can find you. But how do you create a Web Presence for your real estate business?
The first step is to have a Website. If your brokerage offers an integrated Website with their company, that will be a bonus. If not, there are plenty of options to build your own or have a Web developer create one for you.
The next step in creating an Internet presence is to choose and set up the right social media platforms for your social media networking.
In addition to having a strong social media network where you can connect and interact with potential clients, it is also vital to have a well-written, search engine-optimized real estate blog.
Publishing high-quality, informative content will establish you as an authority in your field.
These three online assets — Website, blog, and social media network — will create a vital real estate Web Presence for your brand.
Do You Have the Time?
Most likely, you don’t. You are busy working with your real estate clients, cultivating listings, showing homes, negotiating contracts, and filling out paperwork.
This is where the Crackerjack Scribe team steps in. We are experts in real estate digital marketing.
How We Can Help You
✅ Generate a real estate digital marketing strategy that defines your goals and target KPIs.
✅ Research and write in-depth SEO real estate articles for your blog that will establish your authority in your target market.
✅ Publish a weekly market updates.
✅ Broadcast blog articles across your social media network and on targeted online real estate portals like Realty Times, Houzz, and similar sites
✅ Create, launch and monitor monthly email campaigns.
✅ Promote your real estate listings across your social media networks.
✅ Create, optimize and grow a strong social media network, with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and more.
✅ Monitor and Engage with potential home buyers and sellers.
✅ Monthly reports tracking blog site traffic, fan growth and engagement, and brand sentiment.