5 Reasons Why Real Estate Appraisers and Agents Need to Engage in Social Media

The digital age has launched the real estate business world into more than just an understanding of market analysis reports and insurance replacement valuations. Today’s real estate appraisers need to understand website landing pages, white papers and social media platforms. To give an adequate example of the importance of social media; it is reported that if Facebook was actually a nation it would have the fourth largest population in the world. Those looking for business exposure need to understand how social media works in order to survive.

1. Knowing Where Your Target Market Congregates

The lack of time and cost of gasoline may account for the fact that most people in the market for real estate services are using the internet to research companies. In the instance of purchasing a home, two statistics stand out in the 2010 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:

45% of all home buyers used online video to tour a potential home

Ÿ  74% of real estate clients used the internet to research all of the necessary avenues when purchasing or selling a home

This pales in comparison to the 29% that approached an agent in order to view a home. Consumers simply use the phone book less and the internet more to rely on accurate and up-to-date information about companies.

2. Answering Questions and Saving Time

Making use of social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook allows you to connect with your potential market any time of the day or night. Whether you’re a Sarasota or Bradenton Real Estate Appraiser (or located anywhere in between), placing answers to frequently asked questions right on your social networking sites can help save time and build trust in your company simultaneously. This can also be accomplished by creating an informative blog and using Facebook to promote new posts.

3. Door to Door Flyers are Dead

Old school methods of communicating and advertising just don’t work for the current real estate appraiser clients, and the door-to-door method certainly won’t cut it with the up-and-coming tech savvy generation. The average person spends a minimum of five of their entire waking hours attached to their computer, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, or other form of electronic communication device. They are continually checking emails, Facebook status updates, or ‘surfing’ the internet for information.

4. Keeping Things Fresh With Market Analysis

Once you have created a blog and/or Facebook page it is possible to continually remind potential clients you are still ready to serve them. Utilizing items like an updated market analysis and sending out a Facebook post or ‘Tweet’ on Twitter is like sending out a virtual reminder postcard. The more people hear about your company, the more likely they are to use your services. If they are a past client, it may remind them to recommend you to someone they know. Social media is powerful! Use it to your advantage.

5. Social Media is Outranking Email

According to a 2010 digital study, email is no longer in the forefront of internet activities. People are spending 4.6 hours every week on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. This is above the 4.2 hours on accessing email. With social media on the rise, it is vital that businesses become fluent in ‘Tweeting’, creating YouTube videos, feeding blog posts to Facebook and LinkedIn, and monitoring social networking sites for questions and potential leads. Keeping one step ahead of the competition is essential for any business at any age, and social media allows you to do just that!

As always, thank you for following my website. If there is a particular area of social media you find to be the most useful in your field, please leave us a comment and share the knowledge!