Category: Marketing

It is not the write up or the chatter about the good sized rooms that draws buyers to view your homes. It is always a combination of two things, the location and the photos. Photos are one of the most useful tools for selling your home. They allow buyers to peek inside it from anywhere .It’s like having an open house without opening your house. See main benefits of listing photos in real estate

1. creates positive first impression that lasts.

When homebuyers look at a real estate listing, they spend 60% of their time looking at photos. The first viewing isn’t the one where the buyer steps through the door, it’s the one where they first see the property images with their eyes. Great real estates photos make good first impression on buyer and it’s that first impression that sticks even after they’ve been to look around and sniffed the outdated carpet. If you have photos that show off the quality of the listing, the property will sell 32% faster and with a 47% higher asking price per square foot on average. . Make sure you’re posting only the best listing photos if you expect to make a lasting impression and gain a following

Step Guide to Getting Started in Real Estate Drone Photography

2.       Offers a virtual tour

A virtual tour is a visual tool that replicates the experience of visiting and walking through a property. it is a 360 degree view of any location. It basically allows you to view any side of a property as desired i.e turn left, right, up or down to see any side of the property.it  allow prospective buyers to interact with the home and look at features in detail without having to be on-site. After taking all the property photos, upload your images into your software program to create your virtual tour create your virtual tour by stitching images together. Another way you can take panoramic images. They are usually at 360 degrees ready to be listed.

3.       Best to targeting millennial

Millennial is a visually focused generation and they have made up the biggest population of homebuyers. They start their search online and they expect to see amazing, professional photos. They will look at the photos first before even looking at the property description. They spend 60% of their time studying the photos, 20% reading the features and 20% the descriptions .No matter how good your description is if the photos don’t appeal to them they will not even look at it. That is why it is very important to have high resolution images both property and personal. See a complete guide on how to take good real estate photos. 

4.       Saves your time

Having professional photos on your listing saves your agent a lot of time. One can easily give people a good experience while looking at your property’s photos through persuasive photography. Any potential buyer or tenant will jump at a chance to experience being in a potential house without truly being at it before deciding and coming to a final decision. This saves you a lot of time as a seller in the sense that a site visit will be the last step for the buyer. The buyer I already persuaded and site visit will be confirm in just some few things.

5.       They help in brand building

High quality photos shape your brand and real estate business.  High-quality photography can help generate leads; increase referrals market your brand, and deliver a memorable client experience. They also provide quality content that still helps in marketing your property. A consistent and professional brand image gives you the confidence to go to a listing presentation and demonstrate your worth to prospects.

Summary

Even while working with an agent, buyers still typically do their own searches. Whether it’s print media or online, the images used to market your property can make or break how prospects view your property. When potential tenants can see what a property looks like, they’re more likely to fill out an application. Having quality images allows them to imagine themselves in the kitchen, making dinner, hanging out in the spacious living room, or tucking the kids in at night in each of their rooms. It’s important to use a professional photographer in your real estate business.

Technology has become a major part of lead generation and management in real estate in recent years Check out these 13 tried lead sources for realtors that every real estate professional should be utilizing.

1.       Referrals

Referrals are one of the easiest and cheapest lead generation ideas. According to the NAR, 64% of sellers found their agent through a referral from your former clients, real estate professionals, real estate referral companies a friend, neighbor, or relative or used an agent they had worked with before to buy or sell a home. It works because most people believe the word of mouth from these people they now

Bernice Ross, CEO of Brokerage UP!, and Inman top 25 real estate coach said “Referrals cost you nothing  all you have to do is stay connected with the people you know and make sure that you’re top of mind when they or someone they know decide to transact.

Most successful real estate agents get almost half of their income from referrals. It is a reliable source and in most cases it’s absolutely free. All you have to do is maintain a good relationship with your contacts so that you’re first in mind when they have a friend or colleague who wants to sell their property.

2.       Search Engine optimization strategy

SEO is one of the best real estate lead generation idea. Today, 44% of real estate buyers start their home search online, and 95% use the internet in the buying process. The good thing is, 60% of those searching are likely to click on the top three results on Google.

 At any given time, there are people in your farm area using search engines to find answers to their real estate-related questions. With a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, you can put your website in search results, answer common questions that show your expertise and trustworthiness, and capture new leads. Local SEO helps your business to show up in search engines when a user is looking for help to buy or sell a property. It is a long-term strategy that can consistently bring you new, highly targeted leads without ongoing time and effort. Blogging can also help you to drive targeted traffic from search engines as you create targeted content for your business. You can write content that shows website visitors different aspects of your business. You can create short guides about places in your city to keep your audience informed.

3.       Build social media presence

Depending on how you approach it, social media can either be a major time drain or a brilliant way of nurturing your connections. It offers an incredible return on the investment of your time. With a strategic social media marketing plan, you can increase your reach and create a profile that displays your expertise to potential leads as soon as they click on your name. To start generating real estate leads through social media, you’ll have to decide which platforms to focus on. One of the easiest and commonly used channel is Facebook. With some well-informed optimization techniques, consistent engagement, and regular status updates featuring photos and videos of your listings, market, and clients, you can generate more interest in your brand. With Facebook ads, you can target the right audience by location, demographics, and interests. Facebook makes it easy for you to find the right clients fit for any property you are trying to sell, be it brick and mortar or even digital. Other channels through which you can generate leads are Instagram, twitter, LinkedIn, Pintrest etc.  Learn more on how to effectively use social media marketing

4.       Leverage the internet to advertise

Invest in paid online advertising. Websites like Zillow offer advertising options for realtor’s smart move since the share of home buyers who used the internet to search for a home increased to an all-time high of 97% in 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The best real estate lead generation websites make it easy for agents to find clients and close deals. This is because most of the websites generate enormous monthly traffic. For instance, premier Agent, Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com all generate about 80 million unique monthly visits between them. These are the traffic you need to get to convert to leads.

Dor sale by owner (FSBO) listings are properties that are listed for sale by their owners rather than by a real estate agent. Consequently, they’re classed as warm leads to target because you already know the owners want to sell.

5.       Your own website

Though offline marketing methods, such as networking and word-of-mouth, are good ideas to get new clients it’s still essential to have your own website. This is because a lot of potential clients are going to want to check you out before they get in touch. This one way you can generate leads online. Ones you develop your website you need to optimize it. See how to optimize your website for lead generation

Your website should be Fast. Study found that 87% of visitors will bounce if there is a load time of over two seconds. Use a page speed tool to get a sense of your website speed. Your website should be clean. Let your website be user friendly and one that  looks modern. Another important thing is to make sure your website is  mobile-optimized: he mobile version of your website is likely the first impression you have to a potential lead.  See also why companies need a good real estate website

6.       Farming in busy street strategy

Farming is a marketing approach in which real estate teams tailor their methods and tactics to target a specific area or community. This strategy is designed to position you as an area’s go-to agent using high-quality marketing targeted to homeowners in a specific neighborhood.  When we talk about farming it’s all about taking time to nurture relationships and then waiting patiently for those relationships to pay off by turning into hot leads and ultimately into closed deals. Learn how to farm for leads and see results

7.       Reviews and testimonials

When people see that other consumers have had a positive experience with your business, they’ll feel better about giving their contact information in exchange for special offers. A positive review is a powerful tool for businesses. Most people now read online reviews. Positive reviews are now considered treasured referrals for real estate agents.

Facebook has grown to become an enormous platform for not only social interaction but also a place where users go to research and learn more before buying products they’re interested in. It is one of the most powerful marketing tools for real estate. Here are 5 powerful ways of how to generate real estate referrals through Facebook.

1.       Provide value

Buying or selling a house isn’t a snap decision and takes time. Get to know your audience well so that you can provide them with the information they need to make a decision. It might take a few weeks or months to convert, but the relationship you’ve established with your audience will ensure they come to you when they’re ready to move forward. Share things that are relevant to your business and your audience, and that are informative and interesting.  The following are some things that you should share as a real estate agent

i.                    Great photos of your listings

People looking to buy a new home start with an internet search to research their options. They aren’t going to call you until they have a good idea of what type of house they want. The first thing that attracts buyers is good photos. Therefore the photos should be stunning enough to motivate clicks and calls .  Learn how to take real estate photos

ii.                   Real estate news

Keep your audience updated. Let them know what’s  happening on real estate industry.

iii.                Good content

One of the primary ways to grow your audience on Facebook is by posting content that engages them, This is likely to cover a wide range of potential content topics and types of posts including blogs covering all aspects of life, inforgraphics , text such as a few sentences as well as images and videos

iv.                 Provide knowledge

Share tips that give your audience context and help them more fully grasp your expertise. People may believe you when you say you’re a real estate expert, but if you share examples of how your expertise can help them get a better house or make more money, they’ll reach out to you at the first opportunity.

v.                   Engaging questions

As questions that can inspire or intrigues your clients, on both personal and professional topics about goals, leadership, personal growth, relationships, and even mental and emotional health.

vi.                 Fun

If you can make your intended audience laugh with your Facebook posts, they’ll naturally be more comfortable with you. Use these real estate memes to gather ideas and inspiration.

2.       Reviews

Customer reviews are one of the most effective ways to generate leads for your business.  When potential customers see that others have had a positive experience with your business, it can help them feel more confident in doing business with you. By showing that other people have enjoyed doing business with you, you’re able to establish trust sooner than if potential buyers and sellers didn’t have a frame of reference. Customer reviews let you prove your worth as a company over the competition. Positive customer reviews can drive more people to visit your site, which is particularly helpful during peak buying season. Let people review your business page. See how Customer reviews help lead generation and why they’re important.

3.       Join Facebook groups

Groups are the most powerful free tool for the Facebook algorithm, and they are often full of highly targeted groups of people, such as people who live in specific neighborhoods or work in a certain city or region. Facebook Groups are a viable and potentially important way to cultivate digital marketing leads over time for your business. Facebook groups are about community.

Join as many real estate Facebook groups for they are a great place to share listings with a targeted audience .Even when you aren’t sharing listings, you can benefit from being a part of groups. For example, many people post asking for recommendations for local real estate agents, creating the perfect opening to introduce yourself.  You can also ask friends and former clients to tag you in Facebook group posts and comment threads.

4.       Referral incentive

If you ask your customers to refer you to other potential customers without giving them anything in return you’ll find that they will hardly take action. If you want them to take action, you need to give them a reward. Find an industry-related gift, such as a home decor gift card, to make the contest feel more personal or a discount from your sales. To increase your real estate leads, incentivize referrals by setting up a rewards program through Facebook and boosting posts on your Business page about the program.  You could host a monthly giveaway where every referral counts as an entry. Referral marketing doesn’t have to be exclusive to referrers. , if you only reserve rewards to referrers, your leads may not sign up or purchase from you.  Reward your leads as well. Providing past clients with a valuable reward will remind them of their positive experience with you and will prompt them to refer others.  See top 10 ways to use referral marketing to generate new leads

5.       Build trust

Trust is, above all else, what really leads to referrals. Prospecting on Facebook is all about building trust among your target customers.  It is a key to creating a positive brand image.

 If you’re comfortable using your personal profile to connect with clients, agents, and vendors, you can let them see your past real estate life and into your personal life. Let them see the real you, share your photos. Make sure that before you showcase anything you know what you are saying and doing. You must be an expert in your niche to be able to establish authority. By this you will build trust to your potential customers. Answer people’s questions and help them solve their problems. Learn how to build trust on Facebook

Summary

As a real estate agent you have to provide excellent customer service during and after the transaction. You must earn your client’s trust and work hard to keep it. And after closing, you need to continue a steady flow of touches to stay top of mind.

Your audience is looking for a connection and is more likely to engage with a post that feels personal rather than something that’s over-produced or obviously not created by you. Your posts should therefore be attractive and obviously engaging. Use these simple ways to have the best posts

1.       Be Creative

It’s important to create post that are creative,  for you to capture your reader’s attention. Use high quality creative images, videos and text,  that will make the audience interact more with the posts. You should ensure that your post accurately reflects your brand or your message.

2.       Create actionable content

When an action is directly related to your business goal, it does not only increase engagement  but also creates value to your business. It’s therefore advisable to have a call to- action button to you page highlighted with the post that needs an action,   prompt people to call, sign up for something, to book appointments etc. Another way is by asking your audience friendly but engaging questions that leverage their interest, and opinions on your post.

3.       Understand your audience

Before developing engaging post, you need to know who is in your audience. Know where they are from, their age, their interests and the kind of posts they have interacted with in the past, and pay attention to engagement of each post that is the likes, comments and shares. If the engagement is s not so good try to create different types of posts or different versions until you find a tactic that works for you. Page Insights can help you learn more about your audience and what content resonates with them most. You can also grow your audience and engagement in 5 simple ways

4.       Keep it simple

Let it be short, clear, sweet, creative and to the point.

Avoid unnecessary tangents, typo, bad grammar and wordy sentences

In order to gain attention, write your posts as Facebook graphics and chose the best color scheme.

5.       Pin  significant posts

The first thing that your audience sees when they view open your Facebook page is a pinned post. Pin major announcement like new app feature, upcoming events or any kind of changes, great testimonial from a highly satisfied customer, catchy video that sums up your organization, your best performing content etc. See 8 secrets of having goo posts on your page

Note:

i.                     Pinned posts on Facebook only stay up for a week. If you want a post to be pinned for longer than that, you have to manually repin it every 7 days.

ii.                   If you pin a post about an upcoming sale, remove it after the sale to avoid confusing people

Conclusions

Posting blanket statements and opinions usually won’t get a great response but posting in a way that catches people’s attention, motivates them to take action  that pays huge dividends.

Become a pro today.

Everyone wants to bring attention to their business on Facebook. You want to have a big Facebook audience, right? Building a page flowing people who are interested in your products, services or content that you share is very key. Here are 5 fundamentals that you need to understand in order to grow your audience and engagements

1.        Make people aware of your brand

One way that your audiences understands, recalls, and becomes comfortable with your branding and products is by making them aware of your brand .If you can build brand awareness among your target demographic, you can help your brand become top-of-mind when these consumers are ready to research and make a purchase.

You can simply do this this by posting what you posts on your page to other groups of a related industry. You can also ask friends and family to like your posts and share them on their timelines. With this you will be able to get more people interacting with your page.

2.        Become more active

If you want to want to grow your audience and engagement you should be active not only on Facebook but also on other social media platforms. You need to share relevant content to allow your audience find meaningful ideas. Don’t ever forget to comment on other posts and in groups. This will increase your visibility to new and existing page fans and customers.

The most important thing that you should do is to manage communication with your audience. First make sure you react to their comments, answer every question either on the comment or inbox. In case you can’t deliver what they want let them now on time and in case of delay, kindly apologize.

3.        Use targeted ad campaigns

What ads look like, say, and where they’re placed are determined by audience behaviors and interests. You can create different types of ads directly from your Page by boosting your post to push it in front of more people. This increases engagement. You can also create a post and highlight call-to action button that sends it people to a page on your website. This will increase your web traffic. If you want to grow your audience, you can promote a page. Just run an ad made-to-order that goal. You can also promote your local business. Just run an ad that can reach people in the radius of your business.

4.       Use Page Insights to optimize your ad targeting

If you want to reach all your target audience members and outpace your competition, you’ll need to optimize your campaigns both before and after publishing them on Facebook. This will help you understand more about your audience, the posts that increase engagement and insights for actions that people take on your page. All this will help you know the best way in which you can engage with your audience.

5.        Share content when your audience is online

It’s very crucial to now when your audience is online. Ones you understand more about when your audience is online you can schedule all of your posts. Find out when your audience is online

Conclusion

The more engagement a post receives, the more likely Facebook’s algorithm is to reward it with reach. Keep in mind the  above simple ways that will help you grow your audience and engagement and also improve your online visibility.

Also see 5 simple ways to post as a pro as one of the ways to grow your Facebook page audience and engagement

If your post is getting a lot of comments and shares, it will be (theoretically) shown to more people. If your relationship with user based on interaction is strong then your online visibility will be strong. This is a simple and clear guideline on how to improve your Facebook page visibility and engagement.

1.       Add a profile picture and cover photo to your Page

Profile picture and cover photos builds trust. When adding a profile photo use a simple visual representation of your business, a logo works best . Also Show a recognizable part of your business that will attract people. Use a cover video or a photo to help keep visitors on your Page and increase engagement.

2.       Add your business address

Letting people know where you are helps them find your business easily, encourages communication at a more intimate level ,invites greater engagement and increases your buzz. Those  who are seeking out posts pertaining to their town or city will easily be able to find your post after using the search bar, so your post may gain traction much more quickly. If you have a physical location of your business, add your address and details about your location. You can also make sure you have dropped pin on your business location. Learn how to add your business address

3.       Add your working hours.

Notify your customers when you open and close your business. You should be careful to update your working hours during holidays and special events to avoid inconveniencing your customers. Learn how to add hours of business to your Page.

4.       Turn on recommendations

Facebook lets customers rate , review and comment on your page. These Facebook recommendations appear on recommendation tab on your page and are visible to everyone who visits your page. Having great reviews on Facebook will instantly increase your chances of getting new customers because online reviews build trust. Recommendations also allow your brand to optimize its online presence. Learn how to turn on recommendations.

5.       Encourage people to follow your Page

Remind new and existing customers why they should follow your Page, such as regular updates, new products or services, easy communication and exclusive offers. People who follow or like your Page are more likely to see your content in their News Feed, which helps them remember you. See ideas for posts on your Page.  This will help you grow your audience and engagement.

6.       If you have a website, add it to your Facebook Page

Make it easy for potential customers to learn more about your business. See these  5 simple ways to post as a pro

Social media marketing in the real estate industry has been growing exponentially over the past decade.

As a real estate professional, creating a strong social media presence is an essential part of your overall marketing strategy

It’s one of the easiest ways of engaging and connecting with existing customers and reaching out to new ones with an aim of building brand, increasing sales and to drive web traffic.

According to a study from  National Association of REALTORS:

·         77% of realtors actively use social media for real estate in some way, shape or form

·         47% of real estate businesses note that social media results in the highest quality leads versus other sources

·         99% of millennial (and 90% of baby boomers) begin their home search online (as opposed to in-person referrals)

The most popular social media platforms for real estate marketing

i.                    Facebook

Facebook is one of the most effective platforms for real estate advertisement. It is a force of our daily lives, the big daddy of social media and the best place to run social media content. It has the widest reach. It fits perfectly into the average buyers and sellers.

Its quick to post on Facebook and an easy way to engage with potential buyers.

ii.                  Instagram

You can get real estate leads on Instagram. Its visual nature platform and this makes it beautiful and fun. This is what draws the attention of the users. So you must showcase attractive and high quality images and short videos and by this it’s easy to get leads.

iii.                LinkedIn

Linked in is designed for business but it has been ignored in favor of other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and twitter. It is the best place to showcase your expertise and attract the type of client you serve, whether it’s real estate investors, mom and pop landlords or property developers.  It is also an important way to stay connected to important business leaders in the community, who may refer you leads.  Since the real estate industry is built on connections, being active on LinkedIn and joining groups will pay you back by widening your network.

iv.                 Twitter

Twitter is the best social media platform or sharing all types of content including images and videos. It’s ideal for short posts. It has a unique chat feature that plays a very big role in networking, engaging with the users and it is through this that real estate agents drive new business leads and keep apprised of industry trends. 

These are social media tips for real estate companies

1.       Have great title

The title is the first, and sometimes only, part of your article that potential readers will see. It summarizes the main idea of your study. You must therefore select tittle that will grip readers attention and lure them to read your content. The title should accurately describe your content to make people want to read further.

         i.            If you have a weak tittle, no matter how good your content is, it won’t show it to anybody.

       ii.            This is how to make a good tittle

      iii.            Keep it short

     iv.            Use alliteration when necessary

       v.            Use numbers whenever possible

     vi.            Should predict the content

    vii.            Use keywords

2.       Aim to capture your audience attention

To capture your audience attention means to keep them constantly looking, constantly scrolling, keeping them engaged and looking forward to what is to come. This is how you capture your audience attention

With the millions of new social media posts each day, you have to focus on particularly attractive visuals in order to grab the attention of potential leads as they scroll through their news feed. Beautiful photos are the bread and butter of social media marketing, and you are in luck as an agent who’s buying and selling properties.  Professional photos of the gorgeous homes that you’re selling, so social media is the right place to publicize them. Make sure that each of your posts is accompanied by one or more real estate photos.

Also have fascinating videos and virtual tours of both interior and exterior your homes. According to Properties Online Tech Trends Report, 73% of homeowners say they’re more likely to list with a realtor offering to do a listing video.  Across all industries viewers simply prefer video and it’s quickly emerging as the go to way that people are consuming content. Cisco projects that more than 80% of all internet traffic will be video by 2021.

3.       Keep the audience engaged

The greatest measure of social media success is an engaged audience. It is not enough to just post on social media platform, you have to go the extra mile and interact with your audience. Keep response time speedy. Include post content that stimulates interaction and engagements likes, comments, shares, click through, mentions, surveys and contest for this is how audience engagement is measured. As your followers questions and be respond to their answers.

4.       Have quality  and effective content

One way of creating connection between your audience and your brand and making them feel passionate to your brand is by ensuring that you have quality content. Quality content and that comes in digestible amount keeps the audience engaged.  A content that is meaningless is frustrating and it pushes the audience away. High-quality content is effective and with this your audience will grow exponentially.

5.       Post consistently

If you want to strengthen your brand the post consistently. You will also build loyalty with your customers and they will be able to talk about your brand the more. For you to be a consistent poster  be careful to set realistic goals. For instance, if posting ten tweets everyday is hard for you look for a more realistic number let’s say two tweets every day. you can also post  videos about home maintenance tips twice a day, every day can cause an imbalance with your other posts, like house sales or information about your business that goes out only once a week.

The secret of consistency is finding a good balance in what you need to post and having a good schedule.

6.       Use the right hash tag

Another crucial tip in social media marketing is using the best hash tags for your industry. Hash tag is a label used on social media sites that makes it easier to find information with a theme or specific content. The  benefit of using hash tag is that it  helps categorize posts, increase engagement, attract followers to a certain niche, strengthen a brand image and help reach a target audience (and vice versa).

 Real estate industry offers dozens of relevant hash tags to focus on home buyers, home sellers, and on any market which comes to mind. While hash tags are important on all platforms, they are an absolute must on Twitter and Instagram. They will help your tweets or posts reach out to the target audience to generate new leads. If you want to win the social media game, then you should include hash tagging as a regular practice, in your social media marketing strategy.

 7.       Humanize your brand

Engagement needs to be natural, not robotic .Humanizing your brand is a requirement, not an option if you want to survive in business today. Will told us that engagement is one of the most important steps for a company in their infancy, and even beyond, if they want to stay competitive on social media channels. Engage, engage, engage. People are going to respond more favorably to a brand they deem more human. Don’t be afraid to show some humor at appropriate times or take a stance on some relevant issues.

Marketing efforts in the past were typically focused on hitting consumers with clever messages, repetitive slogans, and brand recognition. In today’s world, a company should operate a little differently.

Conclusion

It’s not enough to simply dangle on your website. You need to go beyond the borders of your domain in order for you to reach to more people. Social media is a tool that costs virtually nothing so long as you can provide your followers with consistent and engaging content they can subscribe to. It also allows you to freely promote your website.

We will assist you in:

1.       Channeling the best social media services

2.       Account/profile creation and branding

3.       Content creation and publishing

4.       Manage the account your account

In today’s online world, your property photos are your first impression encourage a buyer to come see your listing in person. Its estimated that 77% of buyers start their search for property online. Additionally, buyers increasingly explain that viewing professional photos is extremely to their buying experience. This means a large determination of whether a customer will call you back is the photos and the price of your property. While no two properties are identical, there are common areas every listing should cover. Good photos are not only essential for online listing platforms, but they are key when developing flyers, Facebook posts and even when the same is shared across networks through forums like WhatsApp.

We estimate that at least six photos as the minimum needed when offering land for sale. 22 to 27 pictures is the ideal range of photos for houses for sale  according to Zillow research. We estimate that land listed for sale with fewer than six photos will be about 20 percent less likely to sell.

Walk through the property before taking photos

Each property is different from the last. Before you start taking photos, walk through the property to help you determine the number and placement of the photos. As you walk around, remove any threatening signs like Do not trespass, Usikojoe hapa etc. The goal is to create a welcoming feeling with your listing photos. As you walk around, you will start to identify the best angles and any items that need to be removed. Some items that we don’t notice will stand out in a photo. If you want some decorative items, leave 1-3 items.

Exterior Photography for properties for sale

An exterior photo is usually the first image a potential buyer sees when reviewing properties online. That photo is important so ensure you get the right angle and determine the important features to highlight. Capture Popular local features or any features that justify the price. Take photos that make the area popular. If the property is next to other developed properties, make sure you capture this. If there is a river, ensure this is captured as well. Other features that add value include capturing roads (murram /tarmac), neighboring schools, police stations

When taking exterior photos, it is best to capture images when the sun is behind the camera but illuminating the front of the property. You’ll avoid shadows and the house will be perfectly lit. For apartments and houses listed for sale, a night-time exterior shot can create the right amount of contrast to make your photos stand out.

Interior photography for properties for sale

Whether you are taking photos of apartments for sale, penthouses or villas for sale, the most important photos are the interior ones.  For a house the typical photos should cover a photo of every room (living room, kitchen, dining area, master bedroom, library, office) including bathrooms and photos of the front yard and backyard that was described above. There should photos that capture each feature such as laundry room, garage, and pantry.

Before taking any photos, ensure the house has been cleaned and there is no debris around. Additionally, take away small items that could be lying around like toothbrushes and combs, electrical cords or wires, TV remotes etc.

Step Guide to Getting Started in Real Estate Drone Photography

We recommend having the lights on when taking photos of houses for sale. Having the lights on makes the rooms warmer and it feels more welcoming. You will however need to make sure that the lights do not distort the color of the house, so make sure that you adjust white balance when post-processing.

 While having the lights on is the rule of thumb, experiment and see what works best. At times, for houses with large windows, opening the windows may provide enough natural light which works just as well as having the lights on. Additionally, natural light is a big seller.  You may also opt to use camera flash if you notice that the light bulbs in the house have different color temperatures.

Whatever decision you make, be consistent throughout the photos!

As you take the photos, ensure that there are no people captured within the photos, including you. While mirrors in a house is be a selling point, you want potential buyers to picture themselves in the mirror not you.

Capture features that help your listing stand out. Some of these include bathtubs, solar panels etc. If the view is one of your property’s selling points, make sure you show it off. Find a way to capture it with a part of the house in the shot, like the balcony. That way, buyers can picture themselves there.

Tips for shooting great real estate photos

 Portray an honest representation of the property. If there are any items not working, show them as well. If the land being offered for sale is next to a slum, do not surprise a customer during a visit. Capture that as well. If the house needs remodeling in certain rooms, capture the same and the customer will decide before visiting if they are up for it.

Take tons of photos: even though you will not need every photo for your online listing, take many more than that, so you can pick the very best images in editing. The additional photos come in handy if a customer asks for more, you will not need to go back to the property to take them.

Use landscape orientation: Horizontal orientation makes it easier to capture full breath of the properties.

Take photos that highlight the layout: Buyers are interested in the layout of the property.

Leave doors open between rooms: This provides buyers with an idea of how different rooms connect.

Conclusion

Good photographs remain important for your listing. As the adage goes, a photo is worth a thousand words. However, don’t obsess over this. You don’t need a lot to achieve beautiful real estate pictures. Nowadays, most phones have good cameras that can work in taking professional photos. If you decide to hire a photographer, ensure they have a good resume and an impressive work done in the past. This ensures you will not be disappointed.

Real estate business is one of the most profitable ventures available. Due to this, the real estate field has become very crowded with more people joining the industry. To come out on top, you have to be smarter and use as many marketing avenues as possible to get clients.

The ability to find qualified buyers will always be important in any business. Wondering how to sell your property? We have summarized 15 ideas that will help you sell your property fast.

1. Master your niche.

In an industry filled with a high level of mistrust, start by becoming an expert to help you stand out. You will command authority when you’re an expert. This way, you will start attracting buyers without the need to sell yourself. Learn and understand the process of buying and selling properties. To become an expert, learn more about taxation in real estate.

Do your best to understand the price movements of property within your primary areas. Get to know of new developments coming up and alert your customers to take advantage of the same. The above will help you stand out in a competitive industry and customers will trust you.

2. List your property with listing websites.

Over 90% of customers in urban areas start their property search online. If you are not online, you are missing out. Have your properties listed on the leading listing websites. Here is a list of 7 real estate listing websites in Kenya that includes websites you can use at no cost.

3. Put a classified ad in a newspaper.

This is an old-school tactic that still works. If you have a budget, this is a terrific way to market your real estate. this is because newspapers put you in front of hundreds of prospective users. this way, you do not have to wait until you build up a big profile.

Most buyers trust newspaper adverts and may take them as evidence of a stable company.

 4. Put a ‘for sale’ sign on the property.

 I am sure you have seen these signs, or you have used one yourself. Some clients like to visit a location and use these signs to look for property. I once took a client to see a property that I had for sale in Kamakis. As we went to the property, I could see the client writing numbers down that were on the sign boards. I am sure the intention was to use the numbers later.

5. Have your own real estate website.

Websites remain a growing area that customers look for. A good website helps you in building trust with customers. It also gives you your platform where you can list unlimited properties. With your website, you can showcase previous projects as well. This may not be possible with most listing websites. Make sure the website is fast and works on mobile devices.

 If do not have and need a website, give us a call on 0726982982. We will provide you with a website within weeks and get you online.

 6. Use social media.

 One of the best real estate marketing strategies is becoming an expert on the use of social media. There exists so many social media platforms, so feel free to choose what works best for you.

 Facebook remains one of the best platforms to post your property. You can do this by posting n your page, posting on Facebook groups or using the Facebook Marketplace. If you can, try out a Facebook ad campaign.

 Instagram is a good platform as it helps you post stunning photos. Stylish photos help to show your property in the best way. Instagram stories allow you to show your properties and updates to your followers. LinkedIn allows you to network with fellow realtors. You can post useful articles on LinkedIn to help build trust and show your expertise.

Be sure to join WhatsApp groups where real estate agents post their properties and do the same as well.

7. Distribute Flyers.

In Nairobi, I have seen people handing these out listing their properties for sale. This has been on busy roads during periods of heavy traffic. Remember to pay local city council fees and get the flyers stamped. You can also partner with other businesses and put up your flyers on their business premise.

8. Join  Real Estate  forums.

There will most likely be two real estate agents in every transaction. One representing the buyer and one representing a seller. Join real estate forums to expand your network which could be one of the best sources of leads.

9. Conduct real estate video marketing.

Some real estate agents have started using videos to showcase their listings. Videos have become more popular as it gives buyers the chance to see inside the house. This feeling is the same if the buyer visits the house. By posting videos, you save time on buyers who would have visited and not liked the house.

You can then upload these videos on Youtube. Additionally, feel free to post the same on your social media pages.

10. Use Social Media Influencers.

Content creators have a wider reach on social media and can spread your message to more people. Furthermore, people have a certain level of trust in these already established influencers. By using the influencers, you can capitalize on this to maximize your brand awareness.

11. Reach Out to Local Radio and Television Stations

If you have good connections, use them to get featured on local radio and TV stations as an expert. You can then use this to market your properties. If you have an advertising budget, radio and TV stations are a great way to reach a large audience. Most listeners trust the presenters and lay a lot of trust in any advertisements that they run.

12. Build a Profile on Property254

Premier Agent website is one of the leading real estate listing websites in Kenya. Also allowing you to post your property for free, you get to receive top property advice. Tips from this website will help you when either selling or buying real estate. More buyers are also relying on this website due to their map-based real estate search.

 So, go ahead and create a profile by logging in here. With a free profile, start listing your properties. An advantage of this website is that you can list properties you already sold and mark them as sold. This allows you to showcase previous projects. Once you create a profile, you can ask for reviews from your previous clients.

13. Setup a Local Business Page on Google

It’s advisable to set up a business page on Google for your real estate business. If you can, target the right keywords on your business page as well. For example, you can use Properties for sale in Nairobi or properties for sale in Ruiru to  target the people who are looking to buy properties in these two towns.

To set up a local business page on Google, go to google.com/business . on this website enter your business’s information, starting with location. Once completed, you can ask for reviews on Google from your past clients or friends.

14. Order unique business cards that stand out. 

Business cards will never go out of style. There will always be meetings with buyers, sellers, and other industry professionals. It is good to have your information on hand to share with them. Business cards should have your name and the name of your business. Also, include your website and contact details. Use good color and fonts to stand out.

15. Create a referral system

As you try to find new clients, don’t forget about getting referrals from happy clients. 41% of sellers using a real estate agent found that agent through a referral from friends or family. If you’re not asking for referrals, you should be.

One of the easiest ways to get referrals is to ask. Provide your prospects with simple and seamless services during the process of buying and selling real estate. Once you conclude the deal, ask the client if they have any friends they can recommend you to. Happy past clients are your best brand ambassadors.

 Summary:

Getting customers is not a walk in the park. It takes patience and hard work. While the above ideas are sure ways to sell your property, do not try to do everything on the list at once. Your initial goal should be to start somewhere and grow over time. Start with a few strategies to test and see over time what brings the best results for you.

If you do not have enough time, consider hiring a real estate marketer.

The holiday season can be a struggle for selling and buying real estate. But Christmas is not the time for you to shut down your marketing efforts. You can use this holiday season to ramp up your real estate marketing. 

Let’s discuss how can you continue to close deals and sign new contracts during during the month while also getting ready to meet 2022 demand as most people make buying land or buying a house as one of their new year’s resolutions.

1.    Make sure that your clients know you’re available.

The first thing you should do is let your clients and leads know you’re available. Most other real estate agents will take a big portion of the holiday season off, and that’s where your opportunity lies. If you choose not to take time off, let people know. Otherwise, your clients and leads may simply assume that you’re unavailable due to the holiday season.

So, let them know you’re available through a simple email, a card, or a phone call, and keep your agent website well-updated.

2.      Provide branded giveaways.

Everyone loves receiving gifts. Giveaways are one of the best ways to say express gratitude to your customers. And its affordable too!  Some branded gift ideas include 2022 calendars or diaries, gift baskets, umbrellas, throw pillows, blankets, welcome mats.

Giveaways offer you a chance for you to increase engagement and keep you top-of-mind during this busy time of the year. It will also help keep your professional relationships strong.

3. Engage customers on social media with holiday messages.

Prepare to send holiday messages to all your customers and potential ones. You can use several medium from sms, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or email. For Facebook and Instagram, donât need to be in the office to send these messages. All you need is to schedule them to be posted to your subscribers during the holidays.

In addition to simple messages, you can send holiday email messages as well. A sample email is below for your use.

4.    Make charity gifts incentive.

Consider offering a percentage of your commission to a charity of your customers  choice for any commission earned from a sale during the month of December. Your customers will feel good knowing that working with you will help others.

5.    Sending out digital Christmas cards.

Christmas is the perfect time to let your clients and prospects know just how much you appreciate them. It’s also a fantastic way to remind them that you are there for them whenever they need you. Personalized holiday greeting cards are ideal.

To personalize your real estate Christmas card messages, be sure to address your recipients by name. Avoid the generic ‘Dear friend or ‘Dear customer’ salutations. To create unique and personalized cards, you can use tools Canva or contact us on 0726982982 and we shall design one for you for free. It’s our way of giving back to you.

6.    Make your website festive for the holidays.

If you have a website, you can easily update the hero banner on the homepage with one that’s perfect for the holiday season. You can use this time to make sure your website is mobile-optimized so your potential clients can view it on their smartphones while on the go this season.

If you don’t have one, then this should be part of your 2022 goals. Reach out to us to help you make one.

7.    Update your property listing.

You know the saying: Always be selling.

Though things may slow down during the holiday season, there are still people out there looking for their dream home. Make sure your properties are updated, whether you are suing Facebook, WhatsApp for business or other real estate listing platforms available in Kenya like jiji or Property24.

To have one place with your real estate listings, you can list with us for free. Just Create an Account or Login to start your journey.

8.    Ask for Testimonials.

Research shows that 88% of customers check reviews to determine if a business can be trusted. Getting testimonials can therefore be a powerful strategy for Christmas real estate marketing, especially since most people tend to be in an uplifted and positive mood around this time of year. This means more people will likely agree to your request and positive moods lead to better testimonials!

Simply ask the clients that you’ve worked with in the past to share their experience. The testimonial should mention a specific problem and how it was solved. You can ask for these reviews in your Facebook page or if you have an account created in our website, just share a link with your customers.

Conclusion

Wondering how to increase your real estate client base?  Create an Account or Login within our website to increase your visibility to real estate investors and home buyers, which will help you in generating real estate leads.

Christmas is not a time for you to fold up for the holidays. It is the right time to hone your marketing skills to get more leads and customers. We hope that if you will deploy at least one of the above Christmas advertising or let us know some ideas you feel we have missed out.  

Happy Holidays!