agents of change: real estate marketing and branding

Today’s Realtor® is being required to embrace change and must readily identify the needs of their client-base. Web 2.0 is all about interaction. Clients are no longer helpless at the hands of the broker, but are rather empowered by the web, actively engaging and sharing information. Instead of being the talkers, we’ve actually become the listeners. Venues like trulia voices, active rain, yahoo! answers and a multitude of networking sites allow consumers to become better informed of not only the market, but also of the level of service they should expect from their agent.

In January, RisMedia reported that a recent survey found that 88% of consumers use the Internet as their primary source of real estate information, compared to a meager 12% from newspapers. We all know that the Internet is the future of real estate, and the key to succeeding in even a down market is how you make use of the potential made available to you. More agents are actively engaging prospective clients by establishing themselves as professionals through personal websites, blogs, social networking, and other e-strategies.

When a consumer searches for Realtors, they want instant access to information about you and your services. If you don’t have a web presence, your competition will succeed in converting the lead… not you. Signing up on LinkedIn or creating a website will not guarantee immediate results, but it does give you more of a chance to be found online than you previously had before.

Consumers know they need you, but it’s up to you to tell them why you’re the more qualified professional. When someone Google’s you, are you there to be found?

Prudential Connecticut Realty recently announced the launch of their exclusive new web feature, Home Suite. This cutting-edge technology will allow Prudential Connecticut agents to maximize online exposure for their listings, as well as to create a distinct web presence.

Single-property sites are powerful, cost-effective tools to promote property listings both online and offline. Prudential Connecticut Realty’s new Home Suite allows for agents to establish custom websites dedicated to the particular listing being marketed. Web browsers can easily navigate several pages of useful information targeted towards the specific property, including features like video, aerial photography, community profiles, custom descriptions, and links to additional information.

As an example, Candace Blackwood of Prudential Connecticut Realty’s New Canaan office used Home Suite technology to create a single-property site for her listing at 430 Frogtown Road in New Canaan, currently listed for sale at $4.850 million dollars. To view the Home Suite and to learn more about the property, visit the website at www.430FrogtownRoad.com.

RISMedia released a recent survey showing that 88% of home buyers were using the Internet to find a home, and while buyers are able to go any number of broker’s sites for MLS data, they can just as easily go to an agent’s Home Suite (single-property site) and view everything about the listing in one convenient location.

Accordingly, for about the same cost as two lattes, agents can now purchase a personalized domain name allowing them to center all their marketing around one easy to remember URL.

Living in a web 2.0 world, consumers are demanding fresher and more descriptive information about homes for sale. Prudential Connecticut Realty’s new Home Suite is certain to make buying a new home throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island an easier and more rewarding experience.

For more information about Prudential Connecticut Realty, visit their website at www.PrudentialCT.com.