We've all read it in the news - and chances are high that we did not read it in a newspaper but instead while browsing the Internet - that the newspaper industry is currently threatened with extinction. That means that the approach that real estate agents take to effectively market properties must change, adjust, evolve, and stay ahead of the technological curve in order to succeed.
In the past, we relied heavily upon print ads, especially those found in newspaper real estate sections. However the majority of buyers now do house hunting via the Internet. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that 87 percent of home buyers in the US say they used the internet as an information resource during their home-buying process - and the numbers of online buyers continue to skyrocket. Connecting with those buyers is vital, and that is why I am intensely focused on tech-savvy marketing and why I stay up to speed on all the latest online real estate marketing methods and trends.
Not only do my clients benefit from having their homes marketed on more than 30 unique online sites and extensive email marketing, for instance, but Coldwell Banker just launched iPhone applications especially designed for customized real estate searches. I can use the application to perform lightening fast searches for property in your neighborhood or around the globe. Researching recent home sales data from an iPhone is a breeze, and you can also be alerted when new properties or open houses are made available that meet your criteria. Addresses and directions to homes are also provided thanks to a built-in GPS system.
The future is here, and it is more exciting than any of us could have possibly imagined. Please don't hesitate to call or send me an email if you'd like further information regarding the market.
