The Increasing Importance Of Realtor Websites

As a realtor, you need to get a website for your business right now! And then promote it at the earliest. Why the urgency? Because 87% of American buyers are using the internet to look for property. So you need to have a web presence pronto, and it better be good!

In the US, most realtors look up to the National Association of Realtors, that keeps watch on the latest real estate trends and the profile of home buyers and sellers. The Association often conducts surveys evaluating demographics, preferences, marketing and experiences of recent home buyers and sellers. In the latest survey, for the year 2010, it has been revealed that 87% of buyers go online to look for the desired property. Further statistics should convince you that having your listings on a site will be instrumental in raking in the profits:

'How did a buyer get to know about the property?'- this was surveyed by the National Association of Realtors, and the responses were:

* 38 percent of buyers said the Internet;
* 37 percent were told of the property by a real estate agent;
* 11 percent from a yard sign or open house;
* 6 percent from an acquaintance;
* 4 percent home builders;
* 2 percent from a newspaper ad;
* 2 percent buyers got to know of the property directly from the seller;
* Less than 1 percent from a home book or magazine.

Read the list again, and who is on top? The internet. Also, there were further revelations from the survey, regarding what the buyers were looking for when they visit a realtor's website. Here is a quick run through of the same:

Pictures

Photos of the property- front view-back view-lawn view and basically a whole set of pictures of the property is what the buyers want to see. The minimum number of photos that you can add to your site is 5, while the maximum is around 20. But they have to be of the highest quality and should be representative of the quality of your service.

In Depth Property Information

How is the property exactly like, from the walls, to the plumbing to the flooring, people want to know every thing. That is why, for your every listing, you must include as much detail about the room size, window size, flooring, appliances, etc, that you can find.

Describe The Neighborhood

Once you have described the property, tell the buyers about the neighborhood they will be moving too. Highlight the facilities of the location- Churches, schools, malls and hospitals located nearby. It is advisable to create a separate page for each neighborhood you take care of, and do not forget to add pictures of the same. This is essential because many searchers look for property by the neighborhood they want to move too.

Video Tours And Virtual Tours

Allow technology to aid you in convincing a buyer. Video tours are simple yet effective. Virtual tours give the buyers a comprehensive view of the property. Look around for the technology to create your own 360 degree photos.

Display Your Contact Details Prominently

Give your number and name after every description if possible. Do not just rely on the users to click on the “Contact” tab of your site to get in touch. Drop the contact option everywhere on your listings.

All these features are followed by the best realtor web sites in the business, and they generate sales by the buckets. It is time, you also brought your business online to get your share in the online buyers' pie.

The writer is a realty consultant with Intangent Real Estate Website Network, that creates websites for realtors.