Newsweek Realizes Realtors are all over Facebook
Posted by Pat Kitano at 1/28/2009 6:19 PM 
Categories: Lead Generation, social networking, Social Media
Categories: Lead Generation, social networking, Social Media
Facebook and Realtors have gone mainstream with this Newsweek article "Can Facebook Revive the Real Estate Market?":
Among realtors, the technology seems to be approaching a tipping point. Bill Sands, a broker in central Pennsylvania, attended the National Association of Realtors convention in Orlando in November, and he spent most of his time attending seminars explaining how to use social networking sites to find clients and sell houses. "There was actually quite a bit of buzz about it—a lot of the [agenda] was about social networking," says Sands, who's begun using Facebook himself...
As for the real-estate community, the growing popularity of social networking is one bright spot during some really dark days. Says Wortmann: "I'm trying everything in a market like this, because something is going to work. And so far Facebook has been unbelievable."
I'm glad to see some general media validation of the efficacy of social media marketing. The mass consumer exposure propagates adoption for using the social media to research the housing market and find real estate professionals through social networks.
There are some statements in that article that make me cringe..
Interesting choice of the headline for the original article though..
But it's Newsweek so that somewhat explains it.
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Funny... I had the same reaction... one sentence talk of a Realtor pushing her five listings, and the next has her saying she needs to be circumspect so she isn't projecting "pushy"... Writer should have interviewed you Paul!
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LOL! Not sure about being able to provide any meaningful interview material... I certainly agree with what Bob and Tony comment on below.
Certainly a reminder that our best contacts are our old contacts as evidenced by the referrals that Bob and Tony mention/received from Facebook and that's business 1.0.
Facebook makes it really easy to reconnect/stay in touch in a fun way and that's the true beauty of it.
It certainly reinforces the importance of having/maintaining a sphere of influence.
Buffini + 2.0 = Facebook IMO.
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I'm a big fan of social media. Facebook has helped me not only reconnect with friends from growing up 2000 miles away-- but also build a sphere of influence with other real estate brokers and build a referral base.
I recently got a referral from an old friend who I had lost touch with and hadn't talked to in 16 years! I would have never picked up that referral if it wasn't for facebook!
I've also found success using industry specific social tools. For example I've been answering questions posted to popular national real estate sites and recently set an appointment for a remarkable custom home in the foothills just west of Denver, Golden to be exact. Again, even though this is an area I do quite a bit of business-- I would not have won this appointment if it wasn't for web 2.0.
Yes, people who see my profile on Facebook know right away that I'm a real estate broker, but they also can see that I'm an intelligent human also, one who has a passion for life, and carries that passion into everything I do whether it's work, play or parenting.
-Bob
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Bob, I would like to frame this comment.... bravo!
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If its Newsweek, its OLD news! In my office even the old anti-tech realtors are on Facebook.
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Facebook has to be one of the best non real estate networking sites that I have found. It has allow me to connect to so many friends that I probably would have never connected with if it wasn't for Facebook and guess what, they all know I am a real estate agent.
Chances are, I will receive several closings this year because of continuous contact with my Facebook friends. Currently I am working on my first deal from Facebook for this year from a fraternity brother who moved to New York and is looking to buy an investment property in Vegas!
Gotta love Facebook
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Any way to "touch" a prospect or client is helpful to stay top of mind. Facebook is effective for this. It works great for us to advertise our training events and seminars too. Often brings in Realtors from other offices as well.
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Yeah. Actually there are a number of free tools out there that can help you market yourself and your listings through the use of social media. Whether it’s posting an item on Facebook, blogging on Active Rain, uploading a video to ZIPVO (my employer), or posting a tweet on Twitter, these tools can help you get connected and stay connected with your buyers and associates.
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