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#C21Social: The Basics of Geotagging

March 31, 2017 By

On social media, geotagging involves “tagging” a geographical location in a status update, a photo, a video, or anything else you post online. Geotagging a location to your posts gives your followers, or in this case, your clients, a glimpse at where you are and what you’re doing. This can be especially beneficial for posts concerning new listings and open houses.

Each network’s native geotagging capabilities help provide necessary information in a convenient user-friendly way so that potential clients know where your newest listing or open house can be found. It will also offer them an opportunity to virtually explore the neighborhood before they decide to take the next step—saving you both time.

Read on to learn more about geotagging by network.

Facebook
When you post a status update or other media post on Facebook, you should be able to see a small location pin icon that you can click to “check in” to a place. Use the dropdown menu to pick a nearby town or place or search for a specific one. Your location will be posted alongside your Facebook post.

Note: To protect user privacy, Facebook will not allow you to post the exact address.

Instagram
Instagram is all about sharing while on the go. Every time you prepare to post a new photo or video, you have the option to add a location on the caption tab. When a follower sees the location, they are able to click on it and navigate to a map view where they can find the exact location and take a look at its surroundings.

Snapchat
Snapchat is another network that embraces an on-the-go lifestyle and appeals to a slightly younger audience. You can snap a photo or record a video and then swipe right on it to add an illustrated geofilter. Snapchat geofilters are pre-determined by the network and change depending on your location.

Let social media help you make that next sale by geotagging your location-specific posts.

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Get the Most Out of Social Media as a Real Estate Agent

January 5, 2017 By

Be a better real estate agent by learning the benefits of key social media platforms. Remember, each platform provides a different function, and each platform has its inherent pros and cons. What may succeed on one platform may not on another. Whether you’re tweeting about an open house, or posting a new listing on Facebook, this infographic will help you determine how to use your voice as effectively as possible.

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Real Estate Strategies for Fall

September 2, 2016 By

A good agent should expect the unexpected, but CENTURY 21® Real Estate can make your life a little bit easier by helping you to prepare for what you know is coming. This time of year, it’s fall. The approaching new season will bring in a new set of seasonal changes that may affect how clients view or feel about your open house. Here, we’ve outlined a few tips to help you strategically welcome fall with open arms.

  1. Maintain Curb Appeal

Monitor the outside of your open house consistently, since fallen leaves may make a home appear sloppy or unkempt. While you can certainly grab a rake or leaf blower and get to work, consider hiring a lawn care service to come by on a regular basis to take away debris when you’re not available. After all, potential home buyers may be taking a look at the home during off hours.

  1. Brighten the Space

Natural light becomes rarer as the days get shorter. Whenever possible, host your open house in the daylight with curtains pinned back to let in as much sun as you can. However, if clients can only view your home during the evening, invest in extra floor lamps to brighten up the area.

  1. Utilize Email Marketing

People tend to stay home in colder weather, which means they might not have the opportunity to view flyers posted around the neighborhood. Work around this by fully utilizing email marketing to capture the attention of every potential home buyer, not just the ones venturing outside.

  1. Study Market Trends

You may find that business appears to slow down in the fall as families with children tend to stay put for the school year. However, this dip in activity does not affect the value of your home, nor should it discourage you. Instead, take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your networking and marketing skills. Attend events and participate in social media groups so that when business speeds up again, you’ll have an even stronger foundation than before.

Start preparing your real estate strategy now so you can transition seamlessly from summer to fall.

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How to Use Social Media Groups

June 3, 2016 By

Think you’re a master at social media when it comes to real estate marketing? Think again. Even after you’ve created a profile, established a following, and learned how to hashtag, there’s still more to learn. Social media groups, or communities built around a common interest, are yet another invaluable facet on social media platforms. To ensure that all CENTURY 21® Agents are smarter, bolder, faster, here’s some insight as to what these groups are and how to use them effectively.

What are Social Media Groups?

As mentioned previously, these online communities are formed around those who share a common interest. For you, these interests may be real estate, professional organizations, or those living in a certain geographic location.

Where Can I Find Them?

These networks live on Facebook and LinkedIn. To search for them, simply type in key words in the search bar at the top of your page and suggested groups will appear. Note that privacy settings may differ per group. An open group means that anyone may join, while closed groups require either an invitation or permission in order to be a part of them. However, it may not be the best idea to join any group at random. Start by asking friends or colleagues for recommendations or referrals.

Why Should I Use Them?

Social media groups play a different role in your marketing plan. While a Facebook or LinkedIn profile may be the best place to promote you and your business, these groups function better as a place to network, build your reputation, and develop skills. Depending on which group you join, you may be introduced to agents or homeowners you may not have met before. You can also engage in conversation to offer and seek advice.

What are Best Practices?

Think of these groups as an ongoing relationship — you have to put in what you take out. Genuinely participate in conversation, don’t just fill up the page with your own thoughts, requests, or promotions. You may post about an open house or two if you think others in the group would be interested, but make sure that you actively share other users’ content as well. If you’re seeking advice, such as whether homeowners in your area prefer one thing over another, take criticism in stride. If you’re offering advice, make sure your comments are constructive and not belittling.

Join a couple social media groups today to get started. Observe how the particular community functions, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself!

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The Science of Selling

March 24, 2016 By

You know that there’s more to selling than charisma and a charming smile. Even when you’re showing the best house on the market, you have to stage it to appeal to potential home buyers or else they might not see its true value. However, there’s even more that comes into play than just a beautifully set living room. Here are some science-backed techniques that may help your clients make a decision when it comes to buying.

Emotions Come First
Though general advice consistently warns against letting emotions get in the way of decisions, psychology studies report that it still happens. Home buying decisions are emotional at their core: Clients are considering whether they can envision a future there. However, these same studies show that the buyers won’t admit to this reasoning. Instead, they want facts to corroborate their feelings. As an agent, use this information to wow clients initially with a warm, welcoming open house, and then further impress them with the reasonable price, new plumbing, or other positive concrete facts that could support a decision to live there.

Less is More
The notorious “analysis paralysis” is, in fact, true. When confronted with too many choices, overwhelmed decision makers freeze up and tend to withdraw from the situation. Don’t let this happen to your clients by inundating them with superfluous information. Only show them listings that you genuinely believe would be a good fit for them. If you show them houses that don’t meet their preferences with the good intention that they might be interested, you may be doing a disservice to both yourself and to your clients.

Outside Opinions Matter
Buying a home may be one of the biggest purchases of your clients’ lives, so they may not want to feel alone in the situation. Since they may be anxious about committing to something so big, it’s important for them to have support from others. Give them time to digest information and discuss it with their partners, family, or friends. Even better, ask a neighbor to attend an open house to answer your clients’ questions as an unbiased third party.

The Price Isn’t Always Right
Homeowners often succumb to the idea that everyone will see their home in the same loving light as they do. However, as the agent you should know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whether you’re advising sellers on a listing, or working with home buyers through a negotiation, keep in mind that most people tend to overestimate their asking price by 5 to 10%.

Keep these things in mind when working with your clients, and you may find selling to be just a bit easier.

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Last-Minute Open House Cleaning Tips

February 19, 2016 By

Your open house is almost underway! You’ve already made sure your home is warm and inviting and you’ve taken time to carefully stage it. Now, here are some last minute cleaning tips to quickly spruce up any areas you may have missed.

Prep for Pets
You may be ready for your open house, but your four legged friends might have other ideas. Perform a last minute inspection of any areas your pets frequent to make sure they haven’t left an unpleasant surprise somewhere in your home. Also, pet hair has a way of showing up unexpectedly. Vacuum carpets and sweep any floors with a rubber broom to clean up debris that may have gathered since your last cleaning.

Check Your Entryway
Although you may have painted your front door and meticulously cleaned your home’s entryway in the days before your open house, recheck it on open house day. Be sure to check for marks on your door, damaged plants, disheveled door mats, and unexpected messiness that may have accumulated in front of your home since you last inspected it.

Clean Up After Kids
If children happen to be in your home during the hours leading up to your open house, you may want to check for additional messes before potential buyers arrive. Look at your lower windows for finger smudges, which can be cleaned quickly with a cleaning agent and microfiber cloth. Also check your doorway for dirt, and look at the lower part of your walls for crayon streaks or other stains.

Ready Your Refrigerator
While easy to overlook, the inside of your refrigerator should be as neat and clean as the rest of your kitchen. Make sure it isn’t full of half consumed food or overstocked to the point where it looks cluttered. Additionally, any fridge magnets should be removed to further depersonalize your home for potential buyers.

Care for Your Lawn
Last minute removal of lawn debris can make your home more appealing and may attract more buyers. Depending on the season, eradicate lawn clutter with a leaf blower, a rake or a snow blower. If you’re too busy for exterior home cleaning, consider hiring someone to do it for you, so you can focus on the interior of your home.

These last minute cleaning tips may help your home shine brighter on open house day.

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3 Things Real Estate Agents Should Know About the Market

February 11, 2016 By

As an agent, you’ll most likely have clients who are dealing with the housing market for the first time. It’s your job to provide information and expertise to make them feel more secure about the home buying process. So what knowledge should you have on hand? Here are three important topics.

Average Pricing
One of the best ways to determine a neighborhood’s market is to find out the average price range. Review and study as many listings as you can, so you can explain why homes are listed at certain prices and easily pinpoint overpriced ones. Don’t just stick to the parts of town your clients want to look in — be prepared with knowledge of neighboring areas in case they change their minds or want to explore more options. Your well-rounded knowledge can help you guide your clients towards a house that fits their needs and their price ranges.

School System
The quality of the area’s school system is important whether or not your clients have children. Clients starting a family may be more willing to pay extra for a home within a higher rated district. However, clients who do not have children may not feel the same way, so you can lead them toward more cost effective areas. Wherever your clients’ education preferences may lie, check with the board of education in each neighborhood you’re looking in to find out their schools’ rankings.

Taxes
Typically, clients prefer lower tax areas, though there are always exceptions to this rule. For example, if a neighborhood is up and coming, it may increase taxes in order to fund the construction of new schools and roads. Depending on your clients’ preferences and lifestyle, this type of neighborhood might be a good investment. Call the tax assessor in the area to get more information on taxes, and make sure to have this research ready when you’re discussing options with your client.

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. These three topics are just the starting point of the information you can provide to your clients. Have an open conversation with them to see what else they value in a home, and do your research for them!

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How to Up Your Winter Curb Appeal

January 7, 2016 By

Regardless of the season, your home should make a good first impression on potential home buyers. Here are some helpful tips for boosting your home’s curb appeal during the winter months.

Light It Up
With less sunshine and shorter days, adding outdoor lighting to your home will help illuminate it and could make it more inviting to buyers. Lighting the pathway to your front door and highlighting any features unique to your home may increase your home’s curb appeal.

Plan for Snow
Depending on where you live, you may get some (or quite a bit) of snow during winter. Your home’s aesthetic could benefit from having a neatly cleared driveway and walkway. It may also be helpful to avoid piling up shoveled snow into unsightly mounds while clearing it. Try using salt to melt snow and checking weather forecasts to prepare for heavy snowfall.

Add Winter Plants
Don’t let winter weather mean the end of your garden. Adding evergreen or winter-blooming plants can inject color into the white and gray winter landscape and make your home stand out. Flowers such as witch hazel, winter jasmine, and pansies can thrive and add color all winter.

Eliminate the Ice
Ice can be a problem in terms of both safety and curb appeal. Icy grounds can be a slipping hazard and hanging icicles can detach at any moment. Moreover, sharp and dangerous looking icicles attached to your home’s roof and gutters don’t make your home seem inviting to home buyers. Be sure to salt your walkway and safely clear ominous looking icicles.

Update Your Door
A front door that appears to be in need of a fresh coat of paint or refurbishing can deter home buyers. Your front door should be in pristine condition, and in the winter months it could benefit from a splash of vibrant color to juxtapose the sparsely colored winter season.

Don’t let winter freeze up your home’s curb appeal. Follow these helpful tips and you may make your home as appealing now as it is the rest of the year.

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MASH for Adults: What Type of House Should You Have?

October 3, 2015 By

Do you remember MASH, the game you used to play in grade school to predict your future? We’ve created the adult version to help you find out the type of home that may be right for you. Grab a pen, think of a number, and start playing!

How would you describe your style?

  1. Eclectic
  2. Modern
  3. Traditional
  4. Chic

 

How do you feel about work?

  1. I’d rather be traveling the world.
  2. It’s fine, but I prefer nightlife.
  3. It teaches responsibility.
  4. It’s great, if you make a lot of money.

 

Which home exterior do you prefer?

  1. Blue paint
  2. Red brick
  3. White siding
  4. Tan stone

 

Where would you like to live?

  1. On a beach
  2. In a city
  3. In the suburbs
  4. An exclusive development

 

Which is your ideal vacation?

  1. A beachside retreat in the Caribbean
  2. A night out on the town in a bustling city
  3. A family-friendly trip to an amusement park
  4. An extravagant European tour

Now add up your scores! (Answer 1 = 1 point, Answer 2 = 2 points, etc.)

If you scored…

5 – 8  = You should live in a bungalow!

The perfect home for you may be a beachside bungalow! You love to travel the world and spend most of your time on a beach. Your home is filled with treasured items you’ve picked up over the years. Who cares about matching? Everything you own reflects a memory, a piece of you, or a part of the world.

9 – 12 = You should live in an apartment!

You’re a natural urban dweller, and we couldn’t take that away from you! You may have been born for the bright lights of the big city, and you don’t care if that means living in a smaller space. You’re willing to sacrifice square footage for experiences in a metropolis, so you’ve developed a minimalist style to decorate your abode. You aren’t too attached to your items, but instead, are attached to your city.

13 – 16 = You should live in a house!

You may love peace and quiet, and what better place for that than the suburbs or the country? Family comes first for you, which is echoed in your design style. You care about practicality first, and you understand the difference between “needs” and “wants.” But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have sentimental attachment to items. You proudly decorate your home with artwork and items made by family members.

17 – 20 = You should live in a mansion!

You favor a big, pristinely decorated space, so a mansion may be right for you. You love extravagant items, like a large mirror or brightly-colored furniture. And everything you own matches, which means you have a home that your friends fawn over constantly.

For entertainment purposes only.

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