First-time seller has marketing questions

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Laurie, I agree with you. After about 10 years of paying Realtor.com their extra fees for enhanced listings we let it go this year. Just not seeing any good results.

There are so many good local Brokers websites that feature MLS listings for a particular area, that's where the buyers are looking....Locally not Nationally.

Every year I think about not renewing Realtor.com. It's certainly a rip off for what they charge. The hard part is I don't know how the buyers that are working with other agents find my listings. I'd like to believe it's helped me sell a few properties but I know I get very few leads from it. I get 10 times the leads from my personal website. Have you missed it at all?

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

Every year I think about not renewing Realtor.com. It's certainly a rip off for what they charge. The hard part is I don't know how the buyers that are working with other agents find my listings. I'd like to believe it's helped me sell a few properties but I know I get very few leads from it. I get 10 times the leads from my personal website. Have you missed it at all?

We've only been without it for 4-6 months but I don't believe we will miss it. We were not getting that many inquiries (traffic yes). Our Broker has a million dollar website which is easier to search, updated nightly and gets a ton of traffic.

If I was a buyer I'd rather look at a local Brokers website and access to MLS. We are I think fairly unique with our MLS (NTREIS). It was merged from about 3-4 smaller MLS and covers the entire North TX Region.

Just don't think it was worth the money for Realtor.com We used it as a tool for the seller but now just skip over it and don't expand on what it offers. Realtor.com was about 1/3 the price 10 years ago and when they were bought really raised their fees. Never did appreciate them doing that although I realize everyone must make a profit.

[James_alex]

I had the same questions that are needed to know and here I got the answers and all the quite beneficial and worth important.

[DanteMazyck]

Originally Posted by riverbird

I've seen free real estate magazines with local listings in racks in the supermarket. Do any buyers still use these or do most prefer searching online these days?

Thank you. I've learned a lot from reading this forum in the last few months.

I am sure a buyer that is looking for a perfect home when look at every source available to find the home they want. If a buyer has just been approved I am willing to bet they will pick up a free magazine for the least purpose to tell their agent if they have one, examples of what a good home would be.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by DanteMazyck

I am sure a buyer that is looking for a perfect home when look at every source available to find the home they want. If a buyer has just been approved I am willing to bet they will pick up a free magazine for the least purpose to tell their agent if they have one, examples of what a good home would be.

Yeah, 3% of the buyers do pick up magazines. They are a waste of money.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Realtor.com was about 1/3 the price 10 years ago and when they were bought really raised their fees. Never did appreciate them doing that although I realize everyone must make a profit.

Yes, the worst thing that could have happened was move.com buying Reltor.com. There is a good chance this is my last year with them.