The Future of Real Estate Marketing, My Views From Connect SF

For my last thoughts on the Real Estate Connect conference, Connect SF, here are some of the trends we should expect to see in real estate. Many of these trends are already here and becoming part of the very social fabric of our lives, not just in real estate. A case in point: In the August 27, 2007 issue of Newsweek, the cover story was about Facebook and how it jumped from a venue for college students to a site for everyone and anyone to connect. Turning to the section called, "My Turn", the Dean of Admissions at Pomona College, Bruce Poch, wrote about looking for authenticity when reviewing college applicant's information. Frank Rich of The New York Times said in the August 19th edition, "The rise of YouTube certifies the passing of Mr. Rove's (Karl Rove) era, a cultural changing of the guard in the digital age". Open information, connectivity, and authenticity on the internet, web 2.0, is everywhere, including real estate.

Here is what we should see in the world of real estate:

A national multiple listing service - every home everywhere in one database.

Video presentations for homes on the internet - real people talking about real homes.

Real time video tours of a home with viewer interaction.

Mapping will no longer be "flat maps", but will show homes at different angles. Layers of maps with different information regarding a specific property will be superimposed onto each other.

Web 2.0 is a place for collaboration and conversation. Think Craig's List, think Facebook, these sites are just the tip of the iceberg. Everything will be open and available on the internet.

Localism - This is huge! People crave information about the area, the neighborhood, the street and it will all be open and out there for buyers to review. Buyers are demanding more detailed information about schools, commutes, shopping, a particular street, the neighbors, and neighborhood activities. Finding out the local school's test scores is no longer enough.

Real estate - real time. Mobile real estate. Picture yourself walking by a home for sale and checking all the information, including video tours and photos on your phone.

Blogs will be the future of Realtor advertising. A blog will give the public insight into the writer, the Realtor. Authenticity will be the key to success. Buyers and sellers will first "interview" prospective Realtors by getting to know them online. Buyers and sellers will contact the Realtor with whom they feel most comfortable.

More of an online presence for traditional media.

The beauty of web 2.0 is the amount of valuable information out there for the public. It's refreshing to see buyers and sellers become more educated.