Here’s a good beginning answer from “Newlywed“: The primary way agents locate potential properties is through the MLS. Unfortunately, because you’re not an agent, you don’t have that ability. You can try Craigslist, local newspapers (local ones are generally more effective than big regional ones), fliers, posters, postcards, and notices. Word of mouth is also effective.

To which we would add, in many markets you can list your property on the local MLS for a fee.  In our market, that fee is $450.  Each MLS runs independently and vary quite considerably.

And then the following social media sites:-

• Facebook
• Squidoo
• Twitter
• Trulia
• Zillow

in that order… and then you might use Slideshare to make a moving slide show of your home and post that to various video sides like YouTube and Vimeo.

Lots of options to get the word out, when marketing your property yourself.  And then you might offer a commission of some sort to the buyer’s agent… because they will be doing a ton of work for you in terms of getting paperwork processed in a timely manner so that their buyer actually gets the home!

Technorati Tags: marketing your property yourself, rent yourself

You know that both buyers and sellers check out realtors online before they meet one.

You know you have to master this online thing… over and above putting your property listings on Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow and whereever else the Office Manager has organized.

The online piece of property marketing is as much about the listings and properties you have to promote as it is about branding yourself, your service and your expert status in your zipcode (s).

Later posts will go into more detail.  Along this journey, it will be important to remember the same 3 words of encouragement Alex Perriello, CEO of Realogy, offered about the ridiculously tough Spring Market of 2009:

Be positive, proactive and persistent!

Keep at it.  Small steps, every day, and in a short period of time (way faster than advertising) you will see results.

Keep a positive, open outlook.  This stuff works, and it’s how the kids want to do business.  If we want to help them we have to come over to their space to do it.  You’ve heard the old saying – if you want to fish, go where the fish are?  

Building a platform for the social media piece of Property Marketing takes time.  Not a lot of money.  But time.

Stick with it, and you will reap the rewards!

Technorati Tags: house for sale, property marketing, realtor, social media