Social media, web 2.0, social networking-these are just a few buzzwords of our generation, and it’s easy to see why. The Internet has grown into all aspects of our social interactions. Just about everyone from preteens to their grandmothers has an account on at least one social website.
With a business of any kind, social media can be used to your advantage. One of the most competitive markets these days is real estate, but gone are the days of billboards and commercials.
From the Realtor’s Perspective
Registering an account with one of the many social media websites gives you the opportunity to make a name for yourself and your real estate brand. As a realtor, you already have the necessary skills to really connect with potential clients and buyers: you’re friendly, outgoing, and willing to take risks when it comes to meeting someone new.
Unlike most other forms of marketing, social media gives you the chance to directly interact with clients. Instead of simply posting up status updates, share interesting links about the region or areas you’re selling in. Also, video has become especially popular as it allows brokers to show off neighborhoods and homes to a wide range of buyers.
The basic social networking platform is built as a forum for discussion. Reach out to home buyers by asking and answering questions. Believe it or not, a series of messages can lead to a face-to-face meeting
Home Buying
In the pre-Internet age, buying a home was a long and arduous task. But the Internet of today helps the buyer to do their own preliminary work-researching neighborhoods, demographics, general price ranges, characteristics of homes in certain areas, etc. Now with a simple click, home buyers can access whole databases featuring statistics about neighborhoods and properties before they have even met the realtor.
That’s what a lot of it is about: getting the information. However, there’s also the aspect of connecting. As it turns out, many home buyers are influenced by the neighborhoods they connect with the most (“connect” used in a non-technological fashion here). This is why people might live in the same area their entire lives. That sense of connection with the area drives comfort and loyalty.
But social media allows for expanded horizons. These days, when a person moves to an unfamiliar neighborhood, they can reach out to their social network for information regarding shopping, dining, and other facts that can help form a closer bond with the area.
About Tarik Sansal
Tarik Sansal is an internet entrepreneur. He is currently the founder and CEO of Romio, a smart social real estate search engine which leverages neighborhood networks.
Tarik started his careers in investments. He was the first investment analyst at Moon Capital, the emerging markets hedge fund. He is passionate about leveraging socially conscious internet ventures to make a positive social impact. He also has ideas around new alternative investment models which leverage a socially conscious approach to deliver superior returns to investors.
