Hopefully this will be an interactive post that we can all learn from.
A little background - We have discontinued using a popular real estate magazine to promote our listings. This has created a surplus $500 a month that can be re-deployed without a net increase to our budget. Also, I have been tracking the responses from the local paper. It is non existent. The gross number of listings on Sunday, for example, is about 80% lower than last year. With print being such old news, the decision to increase web spending online was easy.
So far, we have tentatively decided on the following: (note - we do a lot of bank work, so we are focused more to those websites)
- http://www.foreclosure.com/ - $9.99/wk. - (Smart. They make more per member charging by the week) Can post all of my listings here.
- http://www.realtytrac.com/ - $45.99/mo. - Can post all of my listings here and can buy upgrades on a per property basis.
- http://www.reonetwork.com/ - $100/mo. Purchase a premium membership so our name is "at the top of the list". This may or may not pay off.
- http://www.realtor.com/ - $187/mo. Just cause I am sick of not being able to post properties the way I want on the free program. Is this really worth it?? Inquiring minds want to know!!
Total = $392.95 Remainder = $107.05
We are also using free things like http://www.postlets.com/, http://www.craigslist.com/ and http://www.realestateflyerads.com/. Response has been pretty good.
In addition to this effort, we are working on upgrading the website on our real estate side. Totally different budget.
So, are we looking in the right areas? Are there better places? Better ideas?
Do you have questions about distressed assets, receivership or bankruptcy sales, auctions? Email me at rfk@gryphonusa.com and I'll try to answer it in an upcoming post.
Richard F. Kruse is the President of Columbus, Ohio based Gryphon USA, Ltd. (www.gryphonusa.com). The Gryphon Organization includes Gryphon Asset Management providing receivership and consulting services in the distressed marketplace, United Country Gryphon Realty & Auction Group (www.ucohiorealty.com & www.ucohioauctions.com) providing real estate brokerage and auction services throughout Ohio and OnlineAuctionUSA.com (www.onlineauctionusa.com) providing commercial asset liquidations from the Midwest to East Coast.
United Country Gryphon Realty & Auction Career Opportunities Available. Call 614-885-0020 x 17
I'm with Jan - A blog site is cost effective and offers you so many SEO benefits and potential eyeballs too. I'd give that serious consideration.
Bobby - I have a call and email into Brad about getting something going. Is he back on the face of the earth. I've heard yes??
Linda - I will cehck that out.
Jay - I hear you and Bobby, but I am concerned that a blog type site might not really fit me. I rant.
Yeah, but I am in a 12 step program now. Complainers Anonymous meets Tuesday and Thursday near me.
By the way, who uses google?
Lisa - I use a lot of the free stuff too.
Fran - I hope the enhanced listings pay off. That's a lot of $$ for a monthly subscription.
Paul - REO Trans seems to be providing some return.
Thesa - Catch 22. I need a couple more agents in my firm to take the referrals as I don't take on consumer clients (usually). I am writing a purchase offer today for a cousin of one of my vendors, but if he wants to start "looking" at other stuff then someone else will need to service him.
Karen - I'll look into that. I was not impressed with Red Book when the BS sales guy was pitching me at the 5 Star Conference. I also don't know what type of traction they have. Is anyone looking there?
google and yahoo pay per click
can show you the numbers, in person
in Fl till sunday, making some money
selling a few things too
did montry fall off a cliff?
Rich,
This is why you are the king. Your little blog-- Is empowering me to tell my Harmon Homes Rep -- To take her advertisements and ____________________ <--- insert insult of choice.
-Jaosn