Without a doubt, the real estate industry is very competitive. Perhaps in the same way that the industry can be super-competitive, there is undoubtedly an equally high demand for the services of real estate agents as can be attested to by information gleaned from Google Ads Keyword Planner tool. How can a smaller or independent real estate agent be competitive and fight for a share of the high demand that exists for their services? Here are some online trends to watch in 2022.
Advanced social media use
In 2020, around 3.6 billion people worldwide were reportedly on social media. By 2025, that number is expected to reach approximately 4.41 billion. If there is something that agents can take away from this online trend, it’s that their target audience is on social media.
Simply publishing on social media one or several times a day or week will not cut it anymore. Some examples of more advanced ways to get the most out of social media might involve things like using social media listening tools to see what your target audience is saying concerning the industry or services that you offer, after which you can then strategically engage with them.
You could also combine a paid social media campaign with a Google/Microsoft ads campaign that incorporates a retargeting function. One main advantage of doing this is that it gives you the ability to reach your potential clients or target audience several times over a period of time, thereby giving you several opportunities to convince them to consider using your service.
Greater mobile use
Mobile devices are no longer exclusively used for calling and messaging other people. They also play an important role in the real estate industry, ranging from their use by real estate agents to communicate with potential clients while on the move, to offering a wider array of services like providing virtual or 3D property tours, providing virtual open houses, video conferencing, and more. Mobile devices are also increasingly being used by people looking to buy, sell or rent a property, but just as importantly, being able to do so while being on the move.
To this end, an agent should ensure that they are well-placed to take advantage of this opportunity and trend.
Enhanced visuals
Visuals play an important role in the real estate industry. They help attract potential buyers by giving them a better and visual idea of what they can expect.
Customers can gain more insight into the different properties available on listings through:
- Very high-quality photos
- Promotional videos
- Virtual Reality
- Interactive tours
- 3D Renders
Convenient transactions
Convenience is one the main selling points of most real estate transactions that take place online. The internet has opened up new vistas of opportunities and alternatives for making online payments and other real estate financing transactions without leaving one’s home.
Some real estate portals have started leaning heavily towards contactless transactions and this trend is expected to be adopted by more companies in the industry. This will have the effect of further streamlining the processes of buying, selling or renting properties, finding a mortgage, sending e-signatures, e-closing deals and much more.
The opportunities that the digital world has presented to the real estate industry are Indeed immense. There is increased convenience, accessibility, and a lot more features that are available to real estate agents in the running of their businesses as a result. The onus now rests with the agents to recognize these opportunities and take the necessary steps to take advantage of them. One starting point is by being aware of and taking advantage of these online trends in the industry.
