Discover Your Hidden Treasure Trove of Real Estate Website Content
One of the niche websites that I often build are real estate websites and one of the most often questions I get once a client takes over their brand new website is “what am I supposed to blog about?” It’s the bright blank sheet of paper that some can’t seem to figure out what to put on it.
For those real estate agents that are facing writers block in trying to create content, lets drill down the types of real estate website content that you should have on your website and how to develop those into newsworthy blog posts.
Identify Your Audience
First you need to identify who is your audience is going to be. Who is it that you want to attract to your real estate website – who is going to read your blog? So who exactly would you blog to – You’re to blog to those that you want to develop a repoire with and convert into clients – and that would be buyers and sellers within your community.
But wait, not everyone is wanting to buy or sell a home right this minute – correct? So now you want to cast your net just a little wider. You also need to blog to those that you want to be future clients.
And what would appeal right now to future clients to keep them coming back to your website until they’re ready to buy or sell – information about their community. As a realtor, you are not just about selling houses you’re about the neighborhoods and communities – that’s what you’re creating when you sell a home is the communities. So who should know their community better than anyone – you!
Here are five types of real estate website content subjects that every real estate agent should have on their website and be blogging about.
Buying and Selling Process
You’re the expert in buying and selling homes – that is the foundation of what you do. Use your blog as a platform to showcase your expertise by writing about the buying and selling process. Define the typical client whether it be buyer or seller.
Go as far as to detail their demographic - i.e., married couple, 28 – 36, middle class, college educated - and if you want to get all crazy about it then give them a name. Now write to them just like you’re having a conversation.
Buyers
- do’s and dont’s of home buying
- obstacles for first time home buyers
- preparing to buy a home – what are the steps that a buyer needs to take before going to their first showing
- tips to organize and document details about a home
- technology that will help them in the buying process (Evernote, iphone apps)
- faq – most common questions asked
- buyers ask lots of questions – turn those questions into blog posts
Sellers
- how get their home prepared for the selling process
- what are the common questions seller have about the selling process
- tips for quick clean-up for a last minute showing
- how to overcome home inspection issues
Real Estate Market Reports
Market reports is a tool that can motivate both buyers and sellers dependent on current market conditions. Write a viewpoint of your area market conditions.
- Is it the best time to buy in your area – then create a report that will appeal to buyers?
- Does it look like the market may be taking an upturn in favor of sellers? Then write a commentary with the sellers in mind.
- Create and publish a market report and then explain the indicators so that even first time home buyers can understand.
Financial Side
Finances are probably the area that needs to be the first known factor but as you are aware, many start the home buying process without even understanding the mortgage process or where they stand financially.
- Create a checklist for buyers on documents that they will need to begin assembling to begin the pre-qualification portion for a mortgage.
- Write an overview about credit scores and what range that they should fall in.
- Create a blog post with the definitions of the different types of mortgages.
- You should have a real estate glossary on your website as a resource for buyers and sellers. Pick a definition and elaborate on it.
If you don’t feel like this is your area of expertise, partner with your preferred mortgage company and ask them to write a guest blog post on the topics. This is a win-win for both. You get expert advise on your blog and your preferred mortgage lender will get great local exposure. Turn it into a monthly topic on your blog. Your preferred mortgage lender may even have certain trend reports that you can add to your blog.
Local Businesses
Build a community resource by spotlighting area businesses. Don’t just focus on restaurants, there are plenty of businesses that people are looking for outside of the big-box type businesses:
- hardware store
- hair salon
- specialty clothing store
- mechanic
- dry cleaners
- tire store
- optometrist
- bakery
Spotlighting a local business is a quick and easy way to add content to your website by developing it into a weekly segment. Not only is it adding fresh content to your site on a weekly basis, it will get site visitors to keep coming back each week. Give the business owner a quick call to let them know you’re going to highlight them on your blog. They can help drive traffic to your blog by telling their customers. You could even suggest that they provide a coupon code (with an expiration date) for you to include in the blog post. Besides a brief overview, provide information that perhaps someone new in the community would want to know:
- business hours (days too if not open 7 days a week)
- driving directions (include a Google map)
- payment types accepted
- specialty services
- website
Community Happenings
Become the authority on what is happening in your community. Write about upcoming events in your area:
- fall festival
- grand openings
- sports sign-ups
- hobby meet-ups
- special city services (our city has bulk mulch day where you can buy mulch for $10/scoop)
Solicit contributions from your community by spreading the word that you’re looking for local events. You can even create a sign-up form on your blog so that your friends, neighbors and community leaders can let you know about upcoming events. You’d be surprised how much your neighbors and friends will help contribute to your blog.
Bonus – Testimonials
Here’s a bonus – the sixth type real estate website content to add to your arsenal. What’s the happiest day of a home buyer or for that matter the seller -the day of closing! Typically you’re there for closing – so capture the excitement of that day. There are so many ways to do this.
- Take a picture of the happy home buyer at closing with their keys and ask three quick questions about their home buying experience. Then write a blog post with their photo (with their permission of course) and their responses.
- Better yet, take your digital camera and do a quick impromptu interview of them. Put the video up on YouTube and on your blog.
Take Charge and Show You’re the Expert
You have an open platform – use it. Highlight yourself as the real estate expert in your community. Become the authority not only in the buying and selling of real estate but just as important in the happenings in your community. By appealing to your visitors and keeping them coming back for more, you will build a community within your blog as well!
Just sitting here thinking about the conclusion of this post, I thought of another half-dozen ideas for real estate website content:
- just listed announcement
- highlight a subdivision or condominium complex you just signed a listing and showcase the amenities
- navigating the holidays as a buyer or seller
- success stories with multiple offers
- in’s and outs’s of home inspections
- relocating to your area
- how to use your smart phone app
- just sold announcement
Hopefully this will get you brainstorming on all the things that you are an expert. While some of these ideas may seem simple to you, to those not in the real estate industry they can be a wealth of information!
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