2007-04-26 09:47:19 - How The Smart Real Estate Agents Are Using The Web

By: Sheri Galloway

Today there are over 300 million users online surfing the internet to do research before they buy. The internet has become the first place most of the potential homebuyers in their search for a home. Internet shortens the search for potential homebuyers. Today, online marketing has become the key for numerous businesses. Real Estate is one

of them. It saves a lot of time and energy and often more cost effective than the traditional ways of marketing. The internet is becoming a vehicle for agents to gain more exposure for less the cost.

Real estate brokers and agents merely selling homes muddle through implementing fairly straightforward online marketing tactics, but real estate developers have more to consider. The Web has put the real estate ad industry in constant flux in recent years, and a new Borrell Associates report indicates there are no signs of things settling any time soon. Indeed, online real estate ad spending is expected to grow from $2 billion this year to $3 billion by 2010, rising from a 17.7 percent share of all real estate ad spending to 32.1 percent. Many real estate agents reported an increase of over 325% in sales within the first three months of using foreclosuredata.com agents network service, a well known company that provides over 1.2 million updated foreclosure listings to real estate agents, investors and homebuyers. This company receives over 2 million unique vistors monthly and allow real estate agents to gain exposure to all it members and visitors. Real Estate agents can lock in zip codes (become exclusive agents for their selected territory)

The report also found a disparity between long-time agents and those who are relatively new to the industry. It showed that 9 percent of those who are experienced real estate agents use online advertising, while over 90 percent of real estate agents who are beginners don't realize the goldmine that sits in front of them.

The agents who overlooks the internet 'the worlds fastest marketing tool- will be left behind while their competition take over because more and more people entering the market are using the Web to find their next home.

So, if you are a real estate agent and have not yet explored the benefits of online marketing, then you're losing a vast base of potential clients.