Website tip #5-15 (NAR's 2004 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers)
The 2004 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers demonstrates that buyers and sellers rely on real estate professionals to assist them in all aspects of the real estate transaction. The report provides insight on consumer behavior and the interaction betwen consumers and real estate professionals. Knowing this can help you to improve your website to coincide with the habits of Internet buyers and sellers.Highlights and their significance.
Forty percent of homebuyers were purchasing for the first time.
This means that these visitors to a real estate website will be interested in information to help them learn and understand the home buying process. Having this available on your website means that they will stay on your site. One of our partners, RealEstateABC.com provides a monthly consumer newsletter and 150+ pages of consumer real estate content - ideal to satisfy this requirement.
Fifty three percent of buyers used the Internet frequently as part of the home search
IDX on your website is an absolute must. Visitors will go to your website primarily to search for properties. IDX offers current listings - not outdated as is often the case with aggregate-search sites. We won't name them, but you know who they are. IDX also means no advertising. Visitors using your IDX links will see properties - not other agents (your competitors) that might take business away from you.
Internet searchers were more likely to use a real estate agent than those who did not use the Internet to search.
You are doing the smart thing by having a real estate website. But now that you have one, your focus should be on attracting as many of these Internet searchers as possible. Create offers of compelling value on your site to encourage these searchers to respond. That way you will generate a lead.
Seventy three percent of sellers contacted only one agent before listing their home.
Like the earlier comment, encourge visitors to reveal their identity. They will do this, but only when there is some significant value that they derive - for example, a free analysis of their home's potential market value. And when you do get a potential seller contacting you - respond immediately. Use WebCubic's text messaging capability to alert you when you are away from your computer. When the visitor submits a contact form, you can specify that a text message be sent also.
When choosing an agent, fifty four percent thought an agent's reputation was the most important factor.
Create a client testimonial page on your website to feature your satisfied clients. The Gallery page feature will do this excellently.
The majority of buyers rated neighborhood quality as the most important factor.
Here's an indication of what's important to the consumer. Create page(s) on your site devoted to the community or neighborhoods that you typically market. This information is important to your internet buyers. Use reference pages for this. You could use a FreeFrom (or Web page) to showcase a community. Put the neighborhood in a good light, but be honest.
If you are not sure how to use WebCubic's standard features to enhance your website to create more business opportunities for you, consult the user manual or contact WebCubic at website@webcubic.com.
posted by Shig Nishio @ 7/15/2005 08:47:00 PM
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