Newspaper or no newspaper, that is the question.

One of the biggest myths I’m forced to overcome as a real estate professional is the myth that print advertising successfully sells homes. Many sellers expect their real estate agents to advertise in all of the local newspapers. Is newsprint really an effective means of marketing? The answer is an emphatic no. This type of marketing is said to yield less than a 1% return. To be honest, I have never heard of a home being sold due to a newspaper add.

Most recent research shows that over 90% of all real estate transactions begin on the internet. Modern sellers are using the internet to interview agents before we even have a chance to speak with them. Many buyers walk into my office armed with a list of homes they have found on the web and want to see. A good number have even driven by to get a good look at the exterior and neighborhood.

Successful agents are using personal websites to market themselves and their properties. They are utilizing public sale sites like craigslist, trulia, etc. Many of the larger real estate companies, like Coldwell Banker Burnet, are spending millions of dollars increasing their internet presence. They understand that to get in front of contemporary buyers and sellers they must drive traffic to their website and rank high on major search engines.

We have officially entered a completely new era of marketing. In this new era the more techno savvy, usually younger, agent will have a distinct advantage.

… after all, you're reading this now.