One survey says that 57 percent of homebuyers first consult the internet before making contact with a Realtor.
What can you do to reach them early in their buying process?
If you can’t beat the internet sites, join them.
The major homebuying sites include the familiar Realtor.com, where the listings come through the Multiple Listing Service.
But there are two other major players. If you aren’t savvy about Trulia.com and Zillow.com, you’re way behind.
Vanguard/GMAC broker Pete Dalton pays for his agents’ listings on Realtor.com and Trulia.com, and he says it’s necessary for his business.
“The product enhances the chances that the house will be seen,” Dalton. “It also dramatically increases the chances that you will get a contact,” and he says he has the numbers to prove it.
You know Realtor.com. What are Trulia.com and Zillow.com?
They’re very similar. Both show listings sorted by ZIP Code and both sell prime spots called “Showcase” ads. They also sell links to Realtors’ individual web pages, offer links to mortgage companies and have an “Advice” section for homebuyers.
Dalton says that most users of Realtor.com are older whereas Trulia.com tends to the appeal Gen-X and Gen-Y public.
“There are a lot of interactive things, blogging, Q and A’s, relationship forming and a lot of things on Trulia.com that Realtor.com does not do,” said Dalton. “Trulia also has an enhanced product and we pay for all of our listings to be branded, which is the same as an enhanced product on Realtor.com.”
Both Zillow and Trulia have free mobile applications that allow prospective buyers to get plenty of information while driving around. Both applications can be loaded on iPhone, among others.
Richard Barton, the CEO at Zillow, told The New York Times that his service has a “vast majority” of homes for sale in the United States. Trulia’s web site claims the same thing and a Times survey indicated that the information, for the most part, was up to date.