| There is no question that the advent of the | | | | An innovative realtor will often set up his |
| internet as an ecommerce hosting tool has | | | | page so that it provides additional pictures |
| transformed the real estate industry. The | | | | and information about the property. Contact |
| internet is a particularly well qualified | | | | information in the form of phone numbers and |
| platform for real estate presentation. | | | | an email template are essential: the key is |
| Today's large real estate websites will sort | | | | to make it easy for the customer who has |
| available properties by area and then present | | | | found an interesting property to connect with |
| them with a combination of written | | | | the listing agent. |
| information, photos and often video segments. | | | | |
| Nationwide firms such as Coldwell Banker | | | | Nothing will accomplish this more effectively |
| operate sites that act as national listing | | | | than an attractive, informative website that |
| services. | | | | personalizes the realtor and connects him or |
| | | | her to the property in question. When |
| A home buyer can now do his initial research | | | | choosing a hosting company, the realtor |
| seated in front of a computer terminal. The | | | | should select one that understands the |
| traditional approach of contacting an agent | | | | technology behind "virtual tours" and will |
| and having the agent arrange for home | | | | provide the bandwidth to include them in the |
| viewings that may or may not suit the client | | | | website. |
| is no longer the first step. Today, the home | | | | |
| buyer can select a range of houses suitable | | | | Videos of the various rooms in the home are |
| for viewing on the internet and then have a | | | | an enormous enhancement of the property |
| real estate agent arrange the home visits. | | | | presentation. Real estate website hosting can |
| | | | be something of a specialty, so choosing one |
| This new reality means that the agent is no | | | | with the most advanced technology that allows |
| longer the client's first contact. For that | | | | a potential home buyer the chance to 'view' |
| reason, it is critical that active agents | | | | the home online will go a long way in |
| establish an internet presence. If a customer | | | | supplementing the sales presentation. |
| is clicking through homes and finds one of | | | | |
| interest, it is important that the listing | | | | It is important, also, that the realtor's |
| agent be "clickable" on the same page. | | | | site provide views and information over and |
| Otherwise, the customer may call his friend, | | | | above that provided on any national real |
| the realtor down the street and ask him to | | | | estate internet listings. The realtor's |
| step in. | | | | personal site should be in-depth, personable, |
| | | | and offer the client as many options as |
| The predominant website host for | | | | possible. |
| non-commercial real property is Realtor.com, | | | | |
| the site operated by the National Association | | | | Here, too, the realtor can work with his |
| of Realtors. carries over two million five | | | | personal website host to design a site that |
| hundred thousand listings and for many of | | | | will lead the potential customer to other |
| them, the listing agent has an ad and a web | | | | listings in the area similar to the one that |
| address right along side. Their use of the | | | | has been selected. These properties may be |
| web is an excellent example of ecommerce | | | | listings from other brokers; the idea is to |
| hosting: it is a well-formatted marketing and | | | | maximize use of internet technology to bring |
| product presentation tool. | | | | that potential customer into the realtor's |
| | | | fold, regardless of whose listing the |
| A realtor should have a personal website that | | | | customer ultimately chooses to purchase. |
| is the next stop for the potential customer. | | | | |