The Real Estate Blog

Okay, so let’s build on the Auto Dealer blog riff we’ve started and look at another example of how a real business could use a blog. This time, let’s invite Realtors to the table.

1. Video Walk-thrus
Grab your video recorder of choice (camcorder, video-capable digital camera or even your cell phone if it has a decent camera), and do a walk-thru of your listing. Take your readers on a tour of the home just as you would if you were showing the house. Talk about the area and the neighborhood, get in tight on the special details that make the house shine. Walk around the rooms talking about their potential uses (bedroom, office, nursery…whatever). Then use a service like Utterly.com to toss the video up on your blog. Tag it with the features of the home (2 bedroom, 2 bath, etc, etc.).

Also, point out the things that might need work. You can do this without stressing the negative “…and what would REALLY make this an outstanding room is simply to [whatever].)

2. Offer Advice
Seasonal maintenance tips. Area trends in decor, landscaping…whatever. Recommend experts for various kinds of repair work (maybe even invite them to write a how-to post for a simple job you could do yourself…how to fix a leaking toilet, etc.). This way, your relationship with them extends beyond signing their life away on the Mortgage. And if you’ve been there the whole time, guiding them through caring for their home, who do you think they’re going to call when the time comes to buy and sell again?

3. Explain the Market
Throw out posts talking about what buyers and sellers can expect in the market “NOW.” This is going to change on an almost monthly basis depending on a number of factors, so this is an easy way to keep a steady stream of content coming. They can read much more on their own than you could possible explain to them in the car on the way to see the next home and they can digest it at their leisure.

But it’s still like your there, holding their hand and guiding them through the process.

4. Give Out A Free Report and Build Your List.
What sort of report? Do the research and put out a report card showing how area schools compare. Or how salaries and cost of living compare (get the info online somewhere like salary.com). Or some other factor that is important to your clientele. Use a service like Aweber.com to make it easy to download your free report by simply giving you their email address. Or whatever information you desire. People are going to start looking for this information even before they pick an agent…so if you’re the one who provides that information in an easily understood report, then when they are ready…get the idea?

Again, these are just a few ways a Realtor can use a blog to grow their business. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to keep adding more and mroe value for your clients. And you can do most of it by simply writing up or recording the stuff you are doing every day, anyway.

PHOTO CREDIT: Source – SXC.hu