SmarterAgent has developed the ability to search publicly available MLS listings from a cell phone. Potential Buyers can locate properties by GPS, address, zip code, or city; see details including price, square footage, beds/baths, and taxes; map properties closest to them; even see pictures! Your branded information comes up with the listing so you get the call. Once the buyer has found a listing they are interested in, they can simply push a button and they will be connected with you so you can provide more information.

Visitors can download the service to their phone from your website and anytime they search for listings and request more information, all leads will go to you. If someone is using this service, they will probably contact you from the convenient application rather than trying to contact the listing agent shown on the yard sign. We’ve surpassed the talking house and moved into an era of communicating that is cutting edge.

If you would like assistance setting this service up on your website, please contact us and we can help you get it integrated. SmarterAgent typically charges $250 (one time set-up) and around $39.95/mo if paid annually. They have been known to offer specials, so check with us first.

SmarterAgent.com – Mobile Phone Real Estate Search Demo

You may also want to visit their website for more information regarding Real Estate searches on mobile phones

Basically anyone who has downloaded this free application can pull up a map, based on where they are standing (or driving) and it will display the typical information that you find on Zillow. This includes homes for sale (as well as the usual Zestimates, sold history, etc). If someone is out and about and sees a house for sale, they can simply click the app and it will automatically determine where they are standing (using GPS) and let them know what the listing price is for any homes around them, provided the agent took the time to get that information on Zillow. You can even see additonal photos that have been uploaded.

I would imagine savvy home sellers will know of this application as well and expect you to be keeping their listing data updated in Zillow so they get this additional exposure. For more information about this new application visit the following pages.

• Zillow’s New iPhone Application
• May 12th Update on Zillow’s iPhone Popularity
• Download the App

“For real estate professionals, Zillow Advice offers another free way to promote your services to local home buyers and sellers. If you read a few Discussions and Answer a few Questions you’ll get the hang of it quickly. My tip for real estate pro’s is to subscribe to e-mail or RSS alerts for topics and locations you specialize in. And be sure to fill out your profile page so people know how to reach you if they like your advice!”

Similarly, if you were not already aware, Trulia offers this service as well called “Trulia Voices.” If you have not done so already, we would strongly recommend establishing accounts with both of these services and responding to questions as often as possible. We would also recommed setting up a Google Analytics account (or similar stat tracking account) to determine how much traffic these sites are referring to you.

With SPAM (unsolicited email) being such a problem, you never want to send visitors something they don’t want. Soon enough they will truly appreciate the ability to get new listings as quickly as you do. This keeps your name and website in front of them repeatedly, helping ensure they remember you when ready to make an offer, refer a friend or family member, etc.

You should also monitor your list of Registered Users and verify they have signed up for New Listing Notifications. If they have not, send them a quick email letting them know you noticed they had not signed up for that valuable service and you are available to help them set it up if interested.

Email Signature
Every time you send an email, both professionally and personally, you should have your Name, Company, Phone numbers, and Website address as part of your email signature. Not only will it be easier for people to contact you, they may not be aware you even have  a website if you don’t promote it. If you actively participate in Twitter, Facebook or other social media sites, you may also want to link to those profiles as well.

Print Collateral
Your website should be one of, if not the focal point of all your advertising, branding and marketing campaigns. Get the word out by printing your website on everything. Ads should display not only your website name, but the fact that it has all available listings. Have your website on business cards, letterhead, envelopes, print advertisements, property flyers, car decals, etc.

Voice Message
As part of your marketing efforts, why not direct potential clients to your website on your voice message? Example: I am unavailable at this time, please leave a message, or view my website to search all available listings at www.yourwebsite.com

Rider Signs
Your rider is a great source of advertising! Why not use it to advertise your website? i.e. “View all available listings at www.yourwebsite.com”

Reciprocal Linking
Find businesses related to Real Estate who have a website and agree to do reciprocal linking. i.e. Title Companies, Mortgage Companies, Architects etc. Contact them and ask if they would add a link on their website such as “Search Area Real Estate, Click Here” and in return you will create a link on your website to them. This is great way to start getting qualified traffic to your website.

Directory Sites
Look to your local chambers, newspapers, city sites, etc. to get your website linked. Contact them to find out if a link to your website can be added. Some might add it for free or require a fee. If they are high ranking (popular) websites with qualified traffic, it will help your overall positioning. Search engines look for sites that are ranked well and those sites they link to. Your site becomes popular by association. To read more about search engine marketing, we would recommend visiting such sites as: www.searchenginewatch.com

Sell It!
Always advertise that your website allows visitors the ability to search all available listings – updated daily. (ie. Print ads, web banners, voice messages, radio ads, etc.) Emphasize the New Listings Notification system and that visitors can sign up for free. This will help reinforce your name and website with potential clients!

Be Proactive
Call existing and/or potential clients you may have spoken to in the past and let them know they can now search all available listings and be notified when new listings hit the market.

Example: Hi Bob, just wanted to follow up and see if you still had any interest in 3 bedroom homes around $500,000 – and let you know I have a great feature on my website that will allow you to search all available listings. Also, I will send you any new listings that meet your criteria as they become available.

Special Note! The agents who take it a step further and sign the client up themselves have been very successful in generating new leads.

The Importance: Stress to your clients the importance of New Listing Notifications. They are less likely to miss out on that perfect listing, they will be better educated regarding current market conditions and have realistic expectations regarding pricing. Sellers like this feature also since they can see what their home is up against – what buyers will be comparing the sellers home to.

Sign Them Up!
Along the same line as the above tip, every time you speak to a potential new buyer or seller, try to get their information and sign them up on your site. Ask those potential clients you meet at Open Houses or the curious who pop their head into the office for a quick inquire about a property. Let them know it is a FREE service and they can delete themselves at any time, or they can contact you to remove them.

Final Marketing Note
One of the best tips we could offer is to be proactive when speaking to prospective clients. Don’t just tell people you meet about your new search and listing notification features. Ask them what they are interested in, get their email address and let them know you will keep them informed via email as new listings become available. Take the time (about 30 seconds) to enter their information for them into your New Listings Notification feature (if you leave it up to them they may forget). Let them know they are free to remove their name at any time or simply contact you to do so. With SPAM (unsolicited email) being such a problem, you never want to send them something they don’t want. Soon enough they will truly appreciate the ability to get new listings as quickly as you do. This keeps your name and website in front of them repeatedly, helping ensure they remember you when ready to make an offer, refer a friend or family member, etc.

These are just a few of the ways you can promote your site to help generate additional leads and provide outstanding customer service to your existing clients. The more you get in front of a prospective buyer or seller, the more likely they are to do business with you in the future.