|
Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have now become a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of people logging in every day across the world. Most people use these sites to keep in touch with friends and family in a way never before possible on such a massive scale. They share photo’s, discuss problems, arrange meetings and plan their futures to their own network of friends; often numbering in the hundreds. And for those who believe that it is mainly the younger generation who are in the majority of this technological social phenomenon, you’d be badly mistaken; as a large number of users are ‘senior-surfers’ who use these sites to keep in touch with family in a way never before possible.
What has this got to do with selling property? Well, a good agent will employ every tool available to give your home the maximum exposure it can to the market – the more people know about a property being for sale; the better chance of finding a buyer at a better price. Traditionally, this has been newspapers such as this one, an agents’ high street window space and for sale boards etc. In the last few years, agents have also used web sites and email to advertise their customers’ properties (with varying degrees of success). However, relatively few agents have dipped their toes into the social media pool as a means of advertising; which for those agents who are doing so is a great relief, if not for their competitors’ customers!
So what do I get out of my agent using Facebook and or Twitter? If your agent is actively – and note the word actively- using social media, you can already take heart that they are exploring every avenue to get your home sold at a better price and are a forward thinking firm. Facebook can be used by agents to create interest in their firm. Interesting and relevant News stories, tips and hints for selling/ buying and demonstrate an agents’ market knowledge and professionalism and help drive traffic (buyers) to their website and, by default, your home. The more buyers looking, the more people are likely to offer. Twitter, is subtly different but is none the less highly effective if used intelligently by your agent.
There is no doubt that social networking sites achieve results for an agent and whether they use this important media should be added to the other basic questions you should be asking before deciding who you are going to trust the sale of your home too; along with, how long am I tied to your firm, do you hold any professional qualifications in estate agency and what experience do you have? Good luck!
Chris Wood is the Director of PDQ Estates in Helston and has worked in estate agency in West Cornwall for over twenty years. He has appeared on TV and Radio on numerous occasions as a property ‘expert’ and was the primary consultant in estate agency to Tesco and RBS in 2007/ 08. In 2009 he stepped down as President Elect and Director of the National Association of Estate Agents and the UK Property Standards Board. Chris is also an active member of the Reserve forces and serves with The 6th Battalion The Rifles.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
|