Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are websites used to help keep us all in the loop. But nowadays, social media sites are major players in the real estate world and are revolutionizing the way business is done.
"What's changed is the medium in which the consumers and the agents are connecting. And how consumers are finding information, and how agents are connecting to these consumers," said Pierre Calzadilla of Trulia.com.
Calzadilla is an industry expert who teaches brokers how to get on board and utilize these sites in an ever-changing world. He says gone are the days of fliers and cold calls, replaced by social networking sites where agents go to mingle.
"Facebook has become the online cocktail party. Great way to agents and consumers to connect, very light touching, not heavy selling," said Calzadilla. "LinkedIn has become the online chamber of commerce, professional, a little more rules when you connect. Twitter is like riding the bus and hearing someone talk about real estate and can say, hey, I'm an agent and I can help you sell that home."
Calzadilla says it's key for brokers to remember that these sites are for networking, not pushing a hard sell or you'll just turn people off.
Luke Constantino is a realtor with ReMax in Brooklyn who heavily relies on these sites as a tool for business. He says he doesn't even use business cards anymore, instead he tells people to Google his name.
When they do, they can see just how linked-in he really is. He says to sell homes he turns to sites like Craigslist, Trulia or Property Shark, but to sell himself he works the room so to speak on the social sites.
"I believe less is more, it's a social media, it's like a lounge, they're friends. If they want, they will contact you, they know you are in real estate," said Constantino.
These sites are not only helping those who work in real estate, but they have become a reliable tool for the public as well. Now consumers have more connections and information than ever before.
"One of the key things that has changed is consumers go to see less homes, they get so much more online now that when they finally reach out to get an agent, the cycle is much faster," said Calzadilla.
Consumers also feel more empowered because an education is just a click away.
Calzadilla says if you're a seller it's a good idea to research agents too. Google a potential broker to see just how connected he or she is. If the person is with the times, that name will be front and center and you can expect your listing to be the same.
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