Estate agent 2.0

Digitalisation is creeping into almost every profession. Today an estate agent, too, cannot settle for standard forms of communication. If you care about effectiveness, you must realise that ever younger clients are used to completely different ways of searching for property. They also require a different approach when you reach out to them. In today's article you will learn how digitalisation affects the property market and the agent's profession.

Efficient and fast communication

The estate agent's profession is based on good contact with the client, but what if younger generations are used to completely different forms of communication than their parents? How do you communicate with a generation raised on modern technology? Above all, quickly. Patience is not the strong suit of young people raised in a world where everything is on demand. That is why, the more you care about a client, the faster you should respond to their enquiries about listings. And remember, young people are unlikely to call you with questions. They are more likely to send you a message on Messenger or WhatsApp. Don't know what those are? You must definitely fill this gap. Efficient communication via online apps is today a necessity for every estate agent.

A new dimension of listings

Presentations of flat, house or other property listings should also be adapted to new audiences. In the past the emphasis was on the text and the information in it. Today it is above all the image that counts. That is why photos of properties for sale must be flawless. It is the attractiveness of the image that people searching for flats online look at first and foremost. Forget about long, flowery property descriptions too. The text should be short but packed with as much information as possible. It is worth going for clarity and bulleting the most important data so that it catches the eye.

An even better idea is to create an infographic about a given listing, in which you present information about the property in an aesthetic and attractive way, enlivened by an eye-catching graphic design.

Your own website is not enough

In the age of digitalisation and the rapid development of modern technology, an estate agent's own website is the norm. However, to stand out you need something more. You should be present on social media: on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Your profiles should be active and kept up to date so that users see your commitment. Social media is also a great way to promote your professional successes and to present yourself as a professional in the industry. Audiences will certainly notice this and take it into account when choosing an agent.

On social media you can also promote the properties you offer. This way they will reach a larger audience. Posting photos of flats, and even videos presenting your listings, is a great idea. In the age of the image, this kind of content will speak to audiences more effectively than a traditional description.