By Tammie White
If you are thinking of selling your Franklin TN home you need to have a better understanding of internet marketing. We can't tell you how many times sellers think internet marketing means their home will show on websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia. That is NOT internet marketing.That is listing syndication. It takes no effort at all on your agent's part for your listing to appear on these websites. The local multiple listing service automatically syndicates your listing to these sites.
What is Internet Marketing?
Think about the last time you did a search online. In all likelihood, you put in a search query. For example, my husband recently built a picnic table for our patio. He wanted a highly rated stain for cedar outdoor furniture. He performed the search query "best stain products for cedar".
The majority of the results he received were related to staining a deck. While that information was applicable, my husband wanted something more specific. He performed a second search "best stain products for cedar outdoor furniture". That search yielded better results than his first query.
Home buyers use the same progression when searching for homes. In the beginning, they enter "Franklin homes". That search will direct them to sites to find homes for sale but may not be specific to their needs. They quickly learn the best way to find exactly what they are looking for is by using very specific search terms. The more specific they are the quicker they find the homes that meet their criteria. These search terms are referred to as "keywords".
Internet marketers use these keywords in the content of their websites, blogs and social media sites to be found in search engines like Google. Using a complicated algorithm, the search engines then provide links to the best websites matching these keywords.
Internet marketing uses keywords so your house can be found.
How Does an Agent Use Internet Marketing to Sell My House?
A successful internet marketing plan will include the following:
Content Rich Website: The first thing you'll need to know is if your agent has a website. Not a website offered by their large brokerage, but a personal website they manage and populate with content. Although the site should be visually appealing if it can't be found in the search engines, then it's not doing you any good. The site should be user-friendly, designed to attract buyers and show lots of ways to find home listings including neighborhood pages.
Outstanding Photography: In this digital age, every agent should be using professional photography. The internet has become the first showing. The houses with outstanding listing photographs will get more attention and showings. The more showings you get, the better chance you have of selling your house quickly for top dollar.
Using a Blog: Writing a blog is the best way to get your home in front of the masses quickly. A good understanding of search engine optimization with the use of keywords gets your home in front of the right buyers. Don't under estimate the value this can bring in selling your Franklin home.
Single Property Websites: Creating a single property website is another way to get your home in front of the right buyers. Once again, that site should contain content rich keyword descriptions to be found in the search engines.
Listing Descriptions: Our local multiple listing service (MLS) limits our descriptions to 250 characters. That's not much more than a TWEET. Every word needs to be chosen carefully. The right words will actually get your home found in the search engines as these descriptions are search engine indexable. Items buyers are often searching for include hardwood floors, open floor plan, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. Using these words in the listing description is beneficial to you.
Social Media Sites: Social media includes the use of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and sites like ActiveRain. Google the real estate agent's name. If they have social media sites, you'll find them in the search engines.
Drone Use: Drones are all the rage in real estate marketing. They can be used to show off your house and your neighborhood. These are especially helpful to buyers moving to the area who may not be familiar with specific neighborhoods.
Video Tours: Videos provide an opportunity for buyers to see the flow of your home. Is the dining room near the front door or at the back of the house? Anything that shows off your homes features are a must have.
Slideshows: Slideshows are the next best thing if an agent doesn't use video. Photos should be organized so buyers can get a good understanding of the flow of the home.
The use of the above items provide you with a comprehensive internet marketing plan. They work together to bring more attention to your home. Don't think all agents are created equal when it comes to internet marketing. Many don't have a clue how to market your property using these techniques.
How Do I Find a Listing Agent Who Uses Internet Marketing?
There is really only one way to find an agent who uses internet marketing. Head to the internet and perform a search.
Start the same way home buyers begin. Use a broad term like "Franklin TN homes for sale". It's not easy to rank on page one of Google for these terms but the very best internet marketing agents can do it. The first five or six results will show Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Movoto.com, etc. You may only find one or two local agencies who rank on the first page of Google.
Now do a search more specific to your type of home. For instance, do a neighborhood search. Who shows up for "Your Neighborhood homes for sale in Franklin TN"? If your home has a unique feature Google that term. An example of that is "Franklin TN homes for sale with two master bedroom suites" or "Franklin TN homes for sale zoned for Franklin High School". One of the best searches to perform is "What is my Franklin TN home worth?" or better yet, "What is my Neighborhood home worth in Franklin TN?"
Look for an agent who shows up in more than one spot on the first page of Google for your search query. This usually indicates multiple blogging sites used to promote their listings. The more spots an agent holds on Google, the better chance she will have of getting your home sold quickly for top dollar.
Is Internet Marketing Necessary in Our Current Market?
A recent National Association of REALTORS® survey showed that 92% of buyers begin their home search online. Don't be fooled by agents who say internet marketing isn't necessary in our current housing market. Agents who don't have an internet presence are usually the ones saying this. Everyone is using the internet to search for homes.
Many of the large home search internet sites make it difficult to find the right homes. They return thousands of listings. Having an agent who uses internet marketing to bring attention to your home is the best way to get the most money for your home.
This type of marketing creates a demand for your house with buyers who are looking for your home's features. In addition, internet marketing can be generated quickly before your house ever hits the market. Franklin Homes Realty LLC does this with several Coming Soon posts. We then email these posts to the thousands of internet users who have registered on our website to receive listing updates.
Let Us Help You Sell Your Franklin TN Home.
If you are preparing to sell your Franklin TN home, we would love to have the opportunity to meet with you and share our marketing expertise. We know a few things about selling Franklin homes, 100% of our listing have sold since we began using internet marketing five years ago. Very few Franklin real estate agents will provide you with the level of exposure that you will receive when you hire us. To learn how we can do this for you,
Call Franklin Homes Realty LLC today at (615) 495-0752!
About Tammie White, Franklin TN REALTOR®
Tammie White is a REALTOR® and Principal Broker/Owner of Franklin Homes Realty LLC in Franklin TN. Tammie works with relocation buyers looking to purchase a home in Franklin and the surrounding Williamson County area. She understands the way buyers search for homes making her an invaluable asset to Franklin home sellers. Tammie's website, www.FranklinHomesRealty.com, has become the premier search tool for buyers moving to Franklin Tennessee. She has been writing a real estate blog since 2009 and has been quoted in various publications including the LA Times, Realtor.com, Skype.com, The Tennessean and Williamson Source. Trust your home sale to the company who has sold 100% of their listings since 2012. Call Franklin Homes Realty LLC today!