Real Estate Marketing Goes Mobile

by DeeinAustin™

Austin entrepreneur, Dylan Schleppe created Drive Buy Technology to offer mobile marketing solutions to real estate professionals and other owners of service or sales businesses. I've been covering his mobile applications because I believe 2008 to be the year mobile technology takes off.

Mobile technology will change the way businesses communicate with customers, especially real estate brokers and agents.

KXAN picked up Dylan's story and are scheduled to shoot a segment at one of my listings this morning around 8am specifically about text message marketing of listings. If all goes well, the story should air tomorrow night.

I've been called the Mobile Marketing Diva™, not because I can sing and am overly-demanding, but because I am secretly becoming an expert in mobile applications by working with local solutions providers to deploy their technology in 2008.

(Update! This story was picked up by NBC National). Click to View Full Sized on Blip.tv or at KXAN Austin.

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WHY MOBILE MARKETING OF LISTINGS IS A WINNING SOLUTION

• Most people have a cell phone. They're using them to get the information they want now. Buyers prefer property information when they're in front of the home. It's less convenient for them to get back to a computer or stare at an empty flyer box to learn whether the home meets their basic needs.
• Have you noticed that flyer boxes are almost always empty? Unless the agent pays a runner or spends their own gas and time visiting listing each week, the boxes are hard to keep filled. Sometimes agents provide extra copies to the owner, but why should it be my client's job to keep a flyer box full when I can instead just give the buyer the basic information instantly?
• Text messaging is more cost effective than toll free hotlines. A toll free home hotline can cost $100-200 per month depending on usage. Dylan's Drive Buy Technology text message solution starts at about $8 per month.
• Buyers don't trust toll free home hotlines. Not only did some companies sell the phone numbers of buyers who called the hotlines, but agents were encouraged to leave out critical details like the number of bedrooms, price and size of the house to elicit a call. Dylan's text message system immediately provides important details about the home, which establishes consumer trust.
  

WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY?
Privacy is the biggest issue when calling on listings. Even though everyone has caller ID, privacy should be respected. The best real estate agents will ask if they can keep in touch rather than think it's implied.

Buyers usually receive a follow up courtesy call from a good listing agent, even with a text message sign. The best agents obtain feedback for the seller while making sure buyers received the information they were looking for. They're only doing the best job they can for their client, knowing that input is critical.

If a buyer does not want the agent to stay in touch, they can relay the request. An alternative is to work with an exclusive buyer's agent, who can make all listing inquiries on a buyer's behalf.

RELATED STORIES

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Mobile technology to change how we communicate in real estate

My previous interview with Dylan Schleppe

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Comments

[Rebecca]

I am somebody who takes pride in keeping up with the gizmos available in the market. But it is my iphone which is the most important thing for me. Well, first and foremost it my best unwind tool, as music is somethings that really soothes me down after a hectic. However, talking business I also text message my clients as I get to communicate what is important without being nosey. Also, being an agent with resortscape.com My clients are mostly other towners and foreigners, so text messaging becomes more economical. I just don't know what I would have done without my cellphone.

[Dee Copeland]

I use text messaging in my business every day. If I'm in a meeting or class and get a call, I simply text message my client back unless it's urgent.I also send quick updates.

In terms of mobile marketing, there are a number of application providers in Austin alone working on great tools for small business owners.

[Cecilia Sherrard]

I love the technology we're given today and the options. It doesn't matter how savvy my clients are, they have a choice as to how to be contacted and how to contact. That's the best part still of having all the gadgets. There's still the option of older forms of communication. I'm seeing more and more buyers moving to texting especially throughout the 30 day closing stage for simple follow ups and reminders. It's very convenient especially when both parties are working and calling isn't always okay... Great post!

[Todd]

I think you're right-- the average consumer is becoming increasingly savvy about using their mobile phones for all kinds of internet and web access. It makes sense that they would want to access real estate listings using their mobile phones.

Our company has built a location-based mobile real estate search application for iPhone and the Google "Android" mobile phone platform. Our application (Puluwai: http://www.puluwai.com) allows people to search homes for sale near their current location (using GPS) or in their dream neighborhood.

This application is in beta testing now and will be available to consumers later this year on iPhone and Android.

[Sumotext of Austin]

There is another service in town that offers much more to the realtor. Sumotext of Austin provides auto qualifier questions that can be sent to the potential buyers, mobile phone tours that include details, pictures, etc., each property code comes with it's own mobile website and the leads can be sent to your email or mobile phone. http://www.79704.mobi/?SUMOTXT512

[Sierra Night Tide]

I disagree, I think DriveBuy Technologies is a much better service. It's very personable, friendly, easy to use and no BS.