Canadians most active social networkers in Western world

If you think that social media isn't an important part of your online marketing strategy to sell yourself and sell your listings... YOUR WRONG! According to the latest survey from the Forrester Research Group, 57% of Canadians are active users social networks such as Facebook and MySpace. More importantly for you in the real estate market is that about 64% of Canadians described themselves as spectators -- they read and watch social media content but just don't write or become critics by responding to social media posts. Your prospects are out there looking for content and information, who do you think they will contact once they get a taste of the information they want? The real estate agent who says nothing, OR the real estate agent who is actively talking about market conditions, giving tips and advice on how to navigate the unfamiliar waters, and sharing insights about the best listings available in their area of specialty?

If you think social media is too complicated or too daunting, the best way to start is small (Like our E-myth coach always asked: "How do you eat an elephant?" - One bite at a time). Start with a blog. You can go to blogger.com and get a free account. Pick the name for your blog to have something to do with your specific farm area e.g. "White Rock Real Estate Blog" or even more specific like "White Rock Ocean View Properties Blog". Talk about the things you are talking to your clients about: Where is the best place to buy? What units are selling in development X? Which strata to be careful of?" - If those active or spectator Canadians can read and learn that you are the expert in that area, they will contact you to do business.

Start participating now and let us know what you think about social media and what works or doesn't in real estate by commenting below.

Here's a video we recorded of Ian Watt, a Vancouver Real Estate Agent, and Steve Jagger, a real estate entrepreneur, talk about their businesses and how social media has taken them to new heights:









For the full story and more stats about Canadians and social media, check out:FP Tech Desk: Canadians most active social networkers in Western world - FP Posted

Busier than normal November for the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board

For the month of November, real estate sales and listing activity was 2nd highest in the last 10 years. Sales were up 200% compared to November of last year. Low interest rates have kept demand strong and the increase in sales in the last couple months has reduced the inventory on the market. Please see the November press release from Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or for complete info or you can download the statistics package for November.

Source: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

Competition Bureau doesn't matter: Google will open up the Real Estate Market to everyone.

The talk of all the sales meetings in Canada this month has been the Competition Bureau's demands of CREA to open up organized real estate's strong hold on Realtor.ca and the MLS. Well for longer than a year now, maps.google.com has had a "Real Estate" search somewhat hidden in the drop-down menu that shows up when you click the "Show search options" link next to the "Search Maps" button. There you get a custom real estate search map which lets you find places for sale or for rent with the ability to filter by price range, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. Anyone can post a listing to be found this way on Google Maps by submitting the info to Google Base.



Now however, Google has flipped the first switch and now automatically shows this specialized real estate search when someone uses the keywords "real estate" in their Google Maps search. It won't be much longer before they hit the second switch which will start showing real estate listings in the regular Google.com search result when someone types in "Real Estate Vancouver". And it won't be much longer after that before they stop relying on real estate agents, brokers, third parties, or homeowners to submit the info on Google Base. They'll start using their search robots and pick up all the data from real estate agent websites, brokers websites, and anywhere else on the internet data is available and then organize it nicely so that users don't have to leave Google to search and look at real estate listings. And if that doesn't find all the listings, they'll make it easy for anyone to post a real estate listing...

Oh wait, they've already done that: Google has created "Place Pages" for everything from businesses, points of interest, transit stations, and landmarks, to cities all over the world. Don't think for a second that they forgot about real estate. Now anyone can go in a create Place Page for their property and list any and all information about it including photos and YouTube videos.



So, will it matter if the Competition Bureau has its way with CREA? No. By the time it goes through negotiation or tribunal and the changes are made so anyone can post a listing to Realtor.ca and the MLS, it will be insignificant: Google will already be providing an easy way for buyers and sellers to find and post the information they want.

As a real estate agent, it is necessary to stay ahead of these changes and keep your service relevant and in demand. Don't be be left behind with those focused on the Competition Bureau on how it will change their business and affect their commissions. The change is already here.

Let us know your thoughts on the Competition Bureau and what Google is doing.

You can check out Google's post here: Official Google Australia Blog: Making it easier to find the property you want on Google Maps

When a picture is worth .... the asking price: Why pro photos will pay off when selling your home

When a picture is worth .... the asking price: Why pro photos will pay off when selling your home

Featured Realtor for Encore at Hillcrest

If you are looking to sell your townhouse in Encore at Hillcrest we would highly recommend working with Bettina Reid.

She has sold more homes in Encore at Hillcrest over the past 2 years than any other real estate agent as well as helping many clients to purchase in the community. According to Bettina, there truly is no better location in all of Cloverdale with everything at your fingertips from grocer's, dentists, doctors, banks and so much more. She believes it so much that she just doesn't work in the community, she also lives there. She is very friendly and really knows how to take care of her clients.

Cool and calm during negotiations and very well versed in real estate contracts, she has saved her clients thousands of dollars in potential losses because of her attention to detail. What other real estate agents will do only if their clients push for it, Bettina does as standard. This includes professional real estate photography, virtual tours, floor plans, and videos. By using the latest technology she gets your home tons of exposure which translates to much faster selling times. You can check out her Encore at Hillcrest website or her own website: www.bettinareid.ca for more information.

Happy Halloween from the Staff at SeeVirtual!

Expert Realtors for Clayton Hill Real Estate

Mark and Devon, Your Neighbourhood Home Team, are the up and coming experts for Clayton Hills Real Estate. If you are looking for homes for sale in Clayton Hills or want to find a Clayton Hills Realtor, contact Mark and Devon. They know the ins and outs of the area and use the latest technology when listing their homes. This team provides their clients with professional real estate photography, virtual tours, floor plans, home warranties and videos on YouTube. They understand search engine optimization and how to make sure your home gets top traffic and sells well in today's market. They are also experts when it comes to prices in the area and know whether you are paying too much or getting a great deal.

The best part of working with Mark and Devon is their attitude. They both have a great sense of humor and will make you feel very comfortable from the start. If it’s Clayton Hills for you, or if you are saying goodbye to the neighbourhood make sure to give these guys a call. You can check out their website www.ClaytonHillRealEstate.com

Real Estate Prices on the Rise, Market Improving

Real estate prices are predicted to go through the roof in the next 2 years rising 10% this year and 30% in 2010. The real estate market is picking up and we will probably see a lot of action before HST is put in place as builders get their units completed and sold before their prices get jacked up. Our photographers on the ground are seeing this as well. We doing a lot more real estate photography, virtual tours, and floor plans than we usually do at this time of year. Demand has remained fairly consistent through till October where normally things would have already started to fall off. You can read more about the latest real estate predictions from Central 1 Credit Union in this Province article:

http://www.theprovince.com/business/house+prices+forecast+highs+over+next+years/2126604/story.html