Tag: New Real Estate Business Models

Categories
Buy a Home Home Purchase

How Top Agents Market Homes

The GMS network of real estate agents consistently leads the industry in the way its top agents market homes. Each agent has access to the latest technology and best practices for marketing real estate. They must also meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure they meet GMS’ required level of performance in areas such as customer satisfaction.

The Top 25 Ways That Top Agents Market Homes

GMS spoke with Erik R. Brown of Compass, Realtor®, TV host, speaker, and author of “One in a Million: Everything You Need to Know to Find the Best Realtor®.” Erik agreed to share his industry knowledge and market expertise on all of the ways the GMS network of top agents market homes.

According to Erik, these are the Top 25 ways agents will market your home:

  1. Pre-List/Coming Soon Marketing

This is marketing for a home that is not officially on the market yet. However, it should be on the market within the next few weeks. Agents, buyers, and others can preview the home, but information is limited.

  1. Professional Copywriting
  1. Personalized Tours

Top Agents Market Homes with Effective Signage

  1. Yard Sign and Interior Signage

Keep in mind that certain locations may have restrictions on yard signs. For example, Homeowner Associations may require such signs to meet size limitations, or to be placed on the homeowner’s property, not association common areas.

  1. Professional Photography
  1. Interactive Video Showings

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) notes three key tips to help realtors pivot to a virtual experience with video showings:

  • Choose the appropriate app
  • Communicate the size of the home
  • Debrief your client after the showing

These tips help realtors to present effective video showings.

Top Agents Market Homes with Customized Virtual and Video Tours

  1. Virtual Neighborhood Tours

Prospective buyers can visit neighborhoods from the comfort of their own home. Videos show various aspects of neighborhoods including parks, local stores, and amenities.

  1. Virtual and Video Home Tours

What is a virtual home tour? This is an online video that lets customers view a home in great detail without ever stepping foot inside. Top agents market homes with virtual home tours to help identify highly interested prospective buyers. Prospective buyers use virtual home tours to determine the specific homes they may actually want to see in person. Those who actually then visit a home are more likely to be highly interested prospects.

  1. Dynamic Physical and Digital Listing Brochures

Digital PDF flipbooks help bring homes to life and are easy to share and view electronically.

  1. Market to Targeted Online Groups
  1. Organic Social Media

Listening to customers is where organic social media really shines. Reviewing comments, shares, and other social interaction provides valuable information that can help refine messaging and bring key features to light.

Using the Multiple Listing Service

  1. MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and Top Realty Websites

According to NAR, the MLS is a “private offer of cooperation and compensation by listing brokers to other real estate brokers.” MLS provides an online system that allows listing brokers to easily find other brokers who are working with buyers to help sell their clients’ homes.

  1. Home Branded Website
  1. Online Broker Reciprocity

Reciprocity is a system where brokers allow other brokers to share their real estate listings. This helps greatly expand the marketing reach of the home’s listing. It also places real estate professionals in control of listings on the internet.

  1. Our Pre-Qualified Buyers

Events and Open House Help Top Agents Market Homes

  1. Live or Virtual Open Houses

A virtual open house makes use of technology to host attendees who want to visit an open house through an electronic platform. Top agents market homes on various platforms for virtual open houses. These platforms may include Facebook Live, Zoom, GoToMeeting, WebEx, YouTube Live, and Skype, among many others.

  1. Preferred Vendor Assistance

Homeowners may need help with projects around their home prior to selling. Preferred vendors with specific experience provide a ready and vetted source of expertise.

  1. Marketing Launch Summary

Marketing plans should be well-defined and include a full summary that shows how and when each marketing aspect will launch.

  1. Live Virtual Events

Live virtual events are designed to showcase a home’s key features. A virtual party might be held to show an outdoor space especially suited for gatherings. Alternatively, a cooking demonstration might be staged in a gourmet kitchen with upscale appliances.

Top Agents Market Homes using Technology

  1. Enhanced Physical or 3D Staging

Enhanced 3D staging provides an upscale and sophisticated visual experience. The technology increases appeal with high-end design and state-of-the-art visual staging techniques.

  1. Reverse Prospect Local Agents
  1. Text Message Campaign
  1. Social Media Targeted Ad Plan

Custom Email Marketing and Call Campaigns Help Top Agents Market Homes

  1. E-Blast and Cross Marketing

What is an e-blast? For real estate marketing, this would be a targeted message sent to a specific list of real estate prospects. Top agents market homes to a segment of prospects who will receive a targeted message. For example, they may have an interest in purchasing a home in the particular area. Alternatively, they may have an interest in purchasing a home that meets specific criteria.

  1. Call Campaign

A call campaign would center on a segment of prospects meet specific criteria depending on the location and home.

What Does This Mean?

Top agents market homes using the latest technologies and proven sales strategies. GMS’ network of real estate agents lead the industry in customer service and performance excellence. These services also enable real estate agents to provide clients with best-in-industry solutions, valuable information, and expert guidance.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how to provide solutions for their new hires and transferees who are looking to buy or sell a home. Our network of top agents market homes following industry best practices while leveraging state-of-the-art technology to help sell clients’ homes with superior results.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn how top agents market homes, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Domestic Relocation Tips Domestic Relocation Trends Home Purchase

Virtual Experience in Real Estate

Couple using VR headset at home, having fun.

Many real estate activities can easily be done through a virtual experience. This allows home buyers and sellers a greater measure of flexibility to fit their needs. It also helps the real estate industry comply with guidelines set in place regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. By working with a Realtor® who is adept at utilizing a virtual experience for real estate activities, home buyers and sellers can have peace of mind.

What is a Virtual Experience in Real Estate?

GMS spoke with Ann Anderson, Relocation Director at Leading Edge Real Estate. The company has been perennially noted as one of the Top Places to Work by The Boston Globe. Ann agreed to share her industry knowledge and market expertise on what a virtual experience is in real estate.

COVID-19 and Real Estate

Ann believes that our experience with COVID-19 will change the way we all live, work, and play. For Leading Edge, their number one priority is the safety of their clients. As such, the company has adapted their buying and selling processes with a focus on client safety. Ann notes that Leading Edge is able to provide an almost 100% virtual experience for their clients.

What is the Home Buyer Virtual Experience at Leading Edge?

According to Ann, for home buyers looking to purchase a home that is currently occupied, Leading Edge and other top-notch real estate companies GMS works with now offers the following process:

Consultation, Online Views

  1. Virtual consultations using popular meeting platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts
  2. Document signatures captured electronically using Dotloop real estate transaction management solution
  3. Online searching for homes
  4. Virtual experience tours of homes, either 3D virtual tour online, or a live virtual tour (open house or private showing)

Offer, Contract, Deposit

  1. Electronic offer submittal (once seller receives an acceptable offer, that specific buyer can see the property in person within 24 hours; following the viewing, the seller will execute the offer)
  2. Contract to purchase the home is executed electronically
  3. DepositLink is used to electronically transfer the deposit

Inspections, Appraisal, Financing, Closing

  1. Inspections are ordered and conducted (if not waived)
  2. Appraisal is completed
  3. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector inspection can be deferred for 90 days after restrictions are lifted (buyer responsibility)
  4. Buyer obtains financing commitment if applicable
  5. Title 5 Septic System Inspection if applicable
  6. Final in-person walk-through (if not waived)
  7. Closing

Ann states that Leading Edge has received many favorable comments from home buyers about the ease of use for these virtual services.

What is the Home Seller Virtual Experience at Leading Edge?

Similar to the experience for home buyers, Leading Edge now offers the following process for home sellers of occupied homes:

Consultation, Digital Marketing

  1. Virtual consultations using popular meeting platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts
  2. Document signatures captured electronically using Dotloop real estate transaction management solution
  3. Virtual walk-through and preparation for the home: Leading Edge provide home sellers with guidance on staging and de-cluttering the home; each listing will have a seller’s description; sellers can take photos and Leading Edge will create a video tour of the home and a digital brochure.
  4. Virtual experience “Open House” event with advertising and promotion; seller will conduct a live video tour during the Open House and Leading Edge agent will be online to answer questions
  5. Virtual private showings that Leading Edge will schedule; seller will conduct a live video tour for the showing and Leading Edge agent will be online to answer questions

Offer, Contract, Deposit

  1. Electronic offer submittal (once seller receives an acceptable offer, that specific buyer can see the property in person within 24 hours; following the viewing, the seller will execute the offer)
  2. Contract to purchase the home is executed electronically
  3. DepositLink is used to electronically transfer the deposit

Inspections, Appraisal, Financing, Closing

  1. Inspections are ordered and conducted (if not waived)
  2. Purchase and Sale agreement is executed
  3. Appraisal is completed
  4. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector inspection can be deferred for 90 days after restrictions are lifted (buyer responsibility)
  5. Buyer obtains financing commitment if applicable
  6. Title 5 Septic System Inspection if applicable
  7. Final in-person walk-through (if not waived)
  8. Closing

What Does This Mean?

The real estate industry has been at the forefront of adopting new technologies to assist clients. Ann notes that Leading Edge Real Estate is continually adapting their processes to focus on client safety. Additionally, the company and other top-notch real estate companies GMS works with features best-in-industry marketing practices. They also leverage the latest technologies to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction for home buyers and sellers.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how to provide solutions for their new hires and transferees who are looking to buy or sell a home. As a result, our team can help your company learn about the virtual experience in real estate transactions. This will help employees benefit from new technologies for successful home buying and selling. It will also help ensure their health and safety under the current COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn more about the virtual experience in real estate, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Buy a Home Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Domestic Relocation Tips Domestic Relocation Trends Home Purchase

Virtual Agent Services: Helping Home Buyers and Sellers During COVID-19

Mature realtor holding open house" sign in front yard.

Home buyers and sellers can use a variety of virtual agent services during the current COVID-19 pandemic, if they find the right agent. A few select real estate agents offer a full suite of services to clients that are flexible and effective, meeting the demands of today’s real estate market. These virtual agent services are ideally suited to help ensure proper social distancing and other requirements necessary to protect buyers and sellers from exposure to COVID-19.

What are Virtual Agent Services?

GMS spoke with Erik R. Brown of Compass, Realtor®, TV host, speaker, and author of “One in a Million: Everything You Need to Know to Find the Best Realtor®.” Erik agreed to share his industry knowledge and market expertise on virtual agent services.

Erik notes that buyers are still buying, and homes are still selling, even during COVID-19. Many clients who were in the process of buying and selling prior to the pandemic have turned to virtual agent services. Many of these services had been in place prior to the precautions, often as part of a broader suite of exclusive marketing services. Additionally, newer tools have been created that leverage proven technology already in use in the real estate industry.

Ensuring Health and Safety with Virtual Agent Services

The health and safety of clients and communities is always a priority for the real estate industry. Erik states that these virtual agent services allow him to continue to provide the best-in-industry service that his clients deserve. Most services can be provided through digital, mobile, and social media platforms, enhancing their reach and visibility.

Virtual Agent Services for Buyers

  1. Virtual Neighborhood Walks let buyers explore new neighborhoods and communities, and help them see nearby local features such as parks, schools, and shopping centers
  1. Interactive Video Showings where a real estate agent will take buyers on a virtual journey through a home, noting specific features to enhance desirability and highlight items of interest to buyers
  1. Video Mail (V-mail) provides video directly to interested buyers so they have an immediate experience and memory of their first interaction with the home
  1. Live Virtual Buyer Events helps buyers see homes as they are used for cooking demonstration, game nights, or social events that bring life to the home and highlight unique features

Virtual Agent Services for Sellers

  1. Virtual Open Houses let sellers share their home with a targeted audience while showcasing key features to interested buyers across multiple platforms
  1. Dynamic Digital Listing Brochures helps highlight the most desirable features of a home in an immersive experience to help buyers see virtually everything of interest
  1. Digital Ads for Facebook & Instagram promote the home to a highly targeted audience with expertly designed ads optimized for the highest performance on the social media platform
  1. Real-time Digital Ad Insights capture ad campaign results quickly and easily, and let real estate agents act swiftly to market and sell the home
  1. Enhanced 3D Staging provides an upscale and sophisticated visual experience that increases appeal with high-end design and state-of-the-art visual staging technology

What Does This Mean?

As Erik notes, virtual agent services leverage proven technology to help home buyers and home sellers remain safe and protect their health during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These services also enable real estate agents to provide clients with best-in-industry solutions, valuable information, and superior results.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how to provide solutions for their new hires and transferees who are looking to buy or sell a home. Our team can help your company understand how to leverage virtual agent services during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This will help employees to conduct successful real estate transactions while focusing on the health and safety of everyone.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn more about virtual agent services, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Buy a Home Home Purchase Relocation Challenges

What are the New Real Estate Business Models?

New building residential house purchase apartment concept. Stylish full family with two kids sitting on carpet, mom and dad making roof figure with hands arms over heads

What are the new real estate business models? Global Mobility Solutions’ 2019 Forum included a presentation by Ken Jenny, Executive Director, tranCen.com, Inc. Ken is an expert in the residential real estate industry. He has over 38 years of diverse and progressive experience in brokerage, MLS, franchising, online marketing, business processes, and technology. This experience includes an emphasis on executing tangible ways to improve the consumer real estate experience. From being a real estate agent to a corporate executive to an independent industry advisor, Ken has examined and designed effective change strategies for nearly every aspect of the residential real estate industry. Ken’s relentless consumer-first thinking addresses the ever-changing challenges facing the industry today.

Ken’s previous positions include the COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates, the CMO of Prudential Real Estate, and the CEO of RealEstate.com. Ken introduced attendees to new real estate business models and their implications for business and consumers.

What do New Real Estate Business Models Look Like?

Ken noted how new real estate business models differ from the current real estate business models. In effect, these new models offer custom solutions to what they perceive as the customer’s pain points in the current business models. Several key differences include:

  1. Easier processes for the seller
  2. One buyer (the alternative company) to work with
  3. Increasing the speed to closing

In Global Mobility Solutions’ White Paper: 2019 Industry Update – Talent Mobility, Real Estate, Household Goods, and Immigration, our experts explain these key differences in further detail. A full review of the many aspects of using a licensed and experienced Listing Agent are presented. These aspects are then compared to using an alternative company. A few important points to note about new real estate business models include:

  • Homes often must meet several restrictive criteria
  • The alternative company is the only buyer
  • Offers are negotiated using online real estate data
  • Closing statement is net of service fees (averaging 6.5%), inspection costs, and repair costs

As a result, our team of real estate experts developed the following guidelines. These guidelines are helpful for sellers who may be considering using a new real estate business model:

Sellers may want to use an alternative company and not a Listing Agent if they:

  1. Are not cost conscious.
  2. Desire to choose their own closing date.
  3. Feel comfortable relying on online real estate data.
  4. Are willing to market their home to only one buyer (the alternative company).

Sellers may want to use a Listing Agent and not an alternative company if they:

  1. Are cost conscious and seeking to lower any repair costs.
  2. Are able to work with a closing date negotiated with a Buyer, contingent on several components including appraisals and financing.
  3. Prefer a licensed professional appraiser to determine the value of their home.
  4. Desire a licensed real estate professional to negotiate the sale of their home for top dollar.
  5. Feel comfortable relying on a licensed and experienced personal representative that looks out for their best interests.

How are the Best Real Estate Companies Responding to New Real Estate Business Models?

Global Mobility Solutions chooses to work with the “best of the best” in our partner networks. In real estate, our partners must consistently meet stringent service levels. They must also deliver exceptional customer satisfaction as measured by customer surveys. As a result, GMS real estate partners provide unparalleled levels of service and satisfaction to our clients and their relocating employees.

These partners combine the best aspects of the current business model with the best features of the new real estate business models. As a result, they are able to deliver truly outstanding outcomes for our clients and their transferees. In order to enhance current marketing programs, GMS partners may use Virtual StagingTM to provide 24/7 access to homes without any inconvenience to the current owner. To speed the closing process, GMS partners may use Electronic Closing Platforms (eClosing). These platforms include features such as remote online notarization and eSignatures. GMS real estate partners offer a “restomod” approach to their real estate businesses, incorporating the best aspects of traditional real estate business models and the best aspects of new real estate business models.

What Does This Mean?

Companies that encourage transferees to buy instead of rent should be sure to provide their relocating employees with the best service in the industry. By using a combination of traditional and new real estate business models, the GMS real estate partner network delivers outstanding performance. Transferees with home sales and purchases will gain the advantages of advanced technologies and faster processes. They will also retain all the benefits of working with licensed and experienced real estate agents.

What Should Employers do About the New Real Estate Business Models?

Companies should work with an experienced and knowledgeable Relocation Management Company (RMC). RMCs provide extensive solutions when it comes to relocating new hires and transferees who need to sell and buy homes using new real estate business models. Companies should review their relocation programs. This will help ensure they have a competitive advantage. Also, it will ensure their program provides the highest level of relocation benefits and services for their employees.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how they can provide exceptional real estate services to their new hires and relocating employees. Our team can help your company understand how to leverage the benefits of a partner network that represents the “best of the best” in the real estate industry for your transferees.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation™ technology platform.

Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Learn best practices from Global Mobility Solutions, the relocation industry and technology experts who are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online to discuss new real estate business models, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

Other Services

Our Technology

Global Relocation

Group Moves

U.S. & Canadian Relocation

About

About Us

Careers

GMS Client Login

Privacy Policy

 

Contact

Contact Us

Address

Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904 

Available 24/7/365

About

Contact Us

About Us

GMS Client Login

Privacy Policy

Other Services

Our Technology

Global Relocation

Group Moves

U.S. & Canadian Relocation

Address

Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904
Available 24/7/365

About

Contact Us

About Us

GMS Client Login

Privacy Policy

Address

Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904
Available 24/7/365

Accessibility by WAH

Looking for something?