immi ShowCase Magazine chair version | Page 64

SHOWCASE MAGAZINE | 2018 4) It reduces the unnecessary trav- el time, such that meetings can be held in separate offices and even different countries with the use of video calling applications. 5) With the use of Google maps and GPS (Global Positioning System), satellite images as well as coordinates can be retrieved for verification purposes. 6) Also Google maps aid in the location and direction of particular places not known to a Real Estate Prac- titioner, thereby saving time and resources. 7) The use of the internet reduces the cost of com- munication especially when the parties involved are in different states or countries. 8) You can transfer transaction files, forms and documents via the internet to ease and fasten the process of real estate transactions. 9) Networking is a very important aspect of suc- ceeding in the Real Estate industry and the internet makes it very easy and aids people in connecting with each other through social media platforms. 10) You can find relevant, educative and innovative Real Estate information and resources at ease via the internet to remain up to date and even ahead of your contemporaries. Now you have known the benefits of online Real Estate Marketing, but how do we use it effectively? To answer this question, we need to try to put our- selves in the shoes of property seekers, in order to know what they expect when surfing the internet for property. • They want comprehensive and credible informa- tion such as property details and price. • They want you to be able to prove you have a level of Power of Attorney on the property and that you have a good relationship with the property owner. • They want a have an idea of the visual appearance (pictures) of the property. • They want to know the features and accommoda- tion details of the property. • They want to have an idea of the environment, in terms of safety, nearness to schools, hangouts, hospitals etc. • For properties which are for sale, they want to possibly see title documents. • They want to be assured that you will represent them appropriately to the property owner. • They want to confirm your office address so that they can easily get in touch with you, when the need be, before and after conclusion of the transac- tion. If you can fulfill the above, you will gain their trust and even though they may not need your ser- vices when they come across your property or your property does not meet their requirements, you should be rest assured that they will want to contact you when they need such services or refer you to someone who needs it. Also, they can go to the ex- tent of asking you for a property not in your portfolio because they are confident of your services. Some Real Estate Practitioners have embraced on- line real estate to the extent of getting a Website for their business so that prospective clients can some- how come across their services and patronise them. 64