Forty percent of all homebuyers in 2011 first learned about the home they purchased on the Internet, according to the National Association of Realtors. Based on this strong percentage, let’s review a few key points about Internet marketing.
Photos are one of the key factors to consider; not only how many, but what quality. A prospective buyer often fully previews a home online, reviewing the photographs along with vital statistics. The quantity of photographs offered can make a real difference in their ability to really get a good feeling for your house. Some websites even rank properties based on the number of photographs, so the more the better applies here.
GCAR.net, mlsarealistings.com and REALTOR.com all now allow a member to upload up to 36 photographs. This is a distinct advantage to a seller.
Clarity, lighting and quality of the photographs taken are also important. A good wide-angle lens on a camera can make a world of difference in picture quality. Neighborhood and community features that apply to the property can also be featured in photographs, as they may influence a buyer¹s decision.
As the number of websites offering homes for sale has increased in recent years, so has the value in syndicating to those sites. The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors partners with a national firm to syndicate, or “push,” a property listing to 64 different websites. This list of syndication partners includes the Chattanooga Times Free Press website along with many popular nationally known names.
In addition to photographs, the importance of video has exploded in recent years. Visual tours and high-definition video of a home can increase the amount of time a prospective buyer spends considering your home. Many listing sites and even YouTube allow agents to upload video of your home.
The more time a prospective buyer spends looking at your home, the better the chances they will want to have a personal visit.
Online classified sites have also entered the arena in recent years. Sites such as Craigslist and Chattanoogan.com have become very popular to advertise properties through their classified portals.
Individual Realtors and their companies also have websites that can be very effective at marketing properties for sale. There have been tremendous amounts of money invested in creating brand recognition for these sites.
Based on the ease of use and functionality of the sites, some consumers elect to use these on a regular basis for searching property information.
The accuracy of the information is of paramount importance to all consumers.
For that reason, the local Realtor site is often the first choice for consumers. GCAR.net and its related site receive in excess of 1 million hits per month, to underscore this point.
The Internet is definitely a key component in effectively marketing a property for sale today!
Mark Hite is president of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors