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Whether we like it or not, we are all reliant on online listings. I have shared plenty of articles on how we can improve on viewings and contacts and how you can double your potential inquiries; prices, pictures, words and what to leave in or leave out. But now ask yourself: “What would I add to online listings that would benefit buyers, sellers and ourselves?”
There is no doubt that online listing is the most amazing innovation in our lifetime, and there have been quite a few.
Some that come to mind are digital cameras, drones, cheap videos, mobile phones, and email. I remember when the fax made communication so much easier. Now I don’t even have a machine in my office. I still maintain a landline in the office, but as my wife and I both have mobiles, we haven’t had a landline at home for years. No longer do we have to rely on window displays. Newspaper advertisements are clinging to life, but I can see a future where they just become an avoidable expense.
So back to the question. What will improve online listings? I am going to float a few ideas. I am not saying they are GOOD ideas, just ideas to get you thinking.
1. Viewer Feedback. This may strike fear into the hearts of agents across the nation. People would be able to say what they think of a property or the ad itself (or the agent!). I asked a few people what they would say, and this is a selection.
“Put on a price”; “Why did they paint the wall that colour?”; “Tell ‘em they’re dreaming”; “check your spelling (grammar, syntax, etc.)”; “Not enough pictures”; “Please include a floor plan”.
(Which mirrors the Real Estate Institute survey that showed 74 per cent of potential buyers were frustrated “No Price Provided”; 57 per cent “No Floor Plan Provided”; 42 per cent “Not enough or poor-quality photos”; 38 per cent “No address provided”.)
2. Include the agent’s Facebook page in addition to your website. The internet searchers are a savvy lot, and by including a Facebook page, you are inviting them to engage directly with you. They will be exposed to you as a person and to other properties you have listed. If someone “likes” your page, you know at the very least they are looking for a property. The challenge then is to engage with them without spamming them. Perhaps you would also link to your Instagram, Twitter and other social media pages.
3. More filters. How about adding a filter that gives you only listings with prices cutting out the “awaiting price guide” or “contact agent” and so on? Or a filter showing the size of the house as well as the size of land?
What filter would you like to see?
Like I said, these may not be good ideas, and I look forward to getting your responses. The online listing sites are constantly trying to think of ways of freshening up their sites. You never know; you may come up with something that will improve online listings from which we can all benefit.
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