October 28th, 2011Homebuyers: Are you utilizing social media?
by Tim Manni
The number of adult Americans using social media is staggering. The growing number of homebuyers utilizing social media to inform their homebuying decisions is equally impressive.
The National Association of Realtors reports that a real estate agent is still the number one source of information to homebuyers. That said, social media is a great tool to help you select an agent and find a community.
In her latest article, “Savvy ways social media can help you find a home,” HSH.com contributing writer Michele Lerner explains to readers how they can utilize social media not only to find and learn more about real estate agents, but how it can help them research the communities in which they are looking for homes.
Finding a Realtor
Social media provides a level of transparency to homebuyers. It allows them to get a sense of a Realtor’s personality and level of service to see if they’re a good fit.
“A big benefit of social media is transparency,” says James Nellis, a Realtor with The Nellis Group at Re/Max Allegiance in Alexandria, Va. “People know what they are getting into before they get there. We’ve become something of a voyeuristic society and social media helps us get to see someone’s personality before we meet. But I think it is just as important to find and read consumer reviews.”
Finding the right community
Once homebuyers feel comfortable with the Realtor they hire, the next big decision is where they are going to buy. Choosing the right community is equally as important as choosing the right home.
“Your experience in a community is the most important part of buying a home, even more important than the home itself,” says Susan Hilton, a Realtor and vice president of sales at the Century 21 office in College Station.
One of the best ways to learn about a community is to stop residents on the street and ask questions about what they like or dislike about the neighborhood, writes Lerner. But if you’re shy–or if you live miles away from a neighborhood you’re considering–social media gives you another way to find out the answers you’re looking for.
“You can get a fresh perspective on a neighborhood without physically talking to the residents by searching for Facebook groups associated with a particular community,” Nellis says.
To learn more about how social media can help you find the right home, be sure to read Savvy ways social media can help you find a home” in its entirety.
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