Search Tips for Real Estate Professionals

Online property marketing has grown and changed in such ways that should a Realtor close their eyes for just a minute there is a good chance that they've missed out on great opportunities, services or products that allow them to promote and market real estate online.

I've created a list of 10 ways that you can market individual properties online.  Some of these you probably already do but keep in mind that the more of these 10 items you can accomplish for every single property the more likely you are to be ahead of the competition.  Furthermore, the more of these that you can accomplish for your sellers properties the more likely it is that you'll get more interested leads regardless what the media has to say about the real estate industry.

Over the next 10 days I'll be introducing these ten strategies.  Some will be more detailed than others but each day will bring on a new perspective that you may not have considered in the past.

Day One:  Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

The MLS is pretty commonplace for Realtors when marketing properties online.  The MLS is often connected to through out agent websites that use the same MLS. Because of this someone could happen across one of your properties through dozens of other websites online simply because you've taken the time to add this property and property details to the Multiple Listing Service in your area.

This is step one and as mentioned, one of the most common tools used to promote properties.  There are a few additional advantages to most MLS services these days though that you should be aware of:

• Many MLS services will feed websites like Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Google Base, Yahoo Real Estate and maybe a dozen other property portal websites (Discussed in detail on day four).
• Most offices utilize the MLS in office for when walk-ins happen.
• Agent websites often tie into the MLS giving you countless opportunities.

Note: This is the first step any Realtor with a property to market should take.  Interestingly enough it is probably often the only step a Realtor will take so if you simply take the time to add your clients listing to the MLS then you are as good as they are in regards to marketing.

Tomorrow: Website Property Search Tools

Sincerely,

John F. Jones III

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