How to Use the Fear in the Stock Market to Your Advantage

Posted Oct.07, 2008 by Joseph Bridges in Real Estate Internet Marketing

The news has just been rampant lately with news about the credit crisis, election, and the global fears of what will happen with banks, lenders, and even regular consumers like you and our ability to borrow more money.

Nothing is better than news that forces people to go to the Internet to do more research. They are going to carefully consider their decisions before proceeding so it is important that they get answers to the questions that are running through their mind.

So with this all of the news how do you take advantage of it?

Let’s look at how we can deliver content that answers the questions that are running through consumers minds at the moment. Just so we are all on the same page there is no silver bullet that will convince every buyer that they should buy. In fact some people just aren’t buyers. The information we want to give them should be the kind of information that will push the ready and qualified buyer off of the fence and into action taking mode!

Messages for Blog Posts & Your Website

First Time Home Buyer Programs still exist- Yes despite the news saying lenders aren’t lending money and that things have changed (duh, of course they had to change) there are still a large number of first time home buyer programs. People can still get into their very first home with 3% down in many states. They can also still have parents, grandparents, or others help them as co-borrowers if necessary. Let your current clients, past clients, and future clients (via website & blog) know about the fact that people are still using these types of programs.
Not every property is owned by a bank - Some people think that every market is filled with only bank owned properties. Let people know what percentage of the market is REO and what is not so they don’t think that the market is completely dominated by banks.
What kind of deals are people getting- Many buyers think that they can get a home for 50% on the dollar from what it is listed at and that banks are “Desperate”. We of course know that this isn’t true. Customers need to know what they are getting into so that they don’t expect something you can’t deliver and you don’t waste your time. Tell them what kind of deals are to be found and be honest. If the best you can get is 5% off then tell them.
What is the long term value or growth of real estate in your area - when buyers are buying a home to live in they are looking, in general, for the long term. Make sure you let people know the long term rates of increase in real estate in your area so they know the kind of investment they are getting into.
Let the new clients know about the people you just helped - nothing is better than a testimonial and especially one that you can get someone to record a testimonial for you. Let your future customers know that you have already helped people in this market and they are happy but don’t use your words use your customers and get them to record it for you and put it on your website.

Remember that our job as real estate professionals is to give our clients the picture of the real estate market that gives them the tools and information to make the best decision for them. Sometimes they will decide not to buy but the important thing is for them to make their decision with the best possible information and to make an informed decision and not one based off of media hype and speculation.

Want more information on how to take your real estate blog or website to the next level? Get our free Internet Marketing Guide for Real Estate Professionals free at www.OnlineRealEstateSuccess.com.