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March 2009
Index of all
past
Affiliate Corner columns
Find clients, generate referrals on the Web
By Michael R. Lucero,
First American Heritage Title Company
A recent study by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) tells us that 87 percent of home buyers initiated their search on the Internet, while 81 percent of them still used the services of a real estate agent to purchase a home.
The average age of first-time homebuyers is 30 years old; these buyers have grown up with a computer and use the World Wide Web as a form of “info-tainment.” Consumers are becoming savvier in their transactions, yet they still want agents to provide context, advice and know-how.
Astute consumers and tough economic times make it more important than ever for real estate professionals to get back to the basics of relationship building, but in the cost-effective, convenient realm of the Web. Social networking and blogging are becoming a major topic of conversation at real estate conferences across the country. Today’s real estate professionals can share their expertise, connect with past clients and urge referrals through many sites, including Facebook, ActiveRain, MySpace, LinkedIn and even Twitter. Many other social networking sites exist, each with their own nuances. Professionals looking to wet their feet in this exciting frontier have many options to consider.
It is plain to see…real estate professionals need to be where their customers are looking, which is on the Web. Selling is a numbers game and the Web is a great place to be in front of a large number of prospects without having to do all the “old-fashioned” leg work. But even the need to find the numbers doesn’t diminish the fact that real estate is still an industry based on relationships. The World Wide Web helps with both aspects of the business. It enables agents to get in front of a large number of prospects and an easy and effective way to stay in touch with both current and past clients.
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