First Time Buyers and online searching

**Enrico33** · 12-08-2010, 04:43 AM

I have a client who is convinced that putting his properties online is a waste since his buyers (first time buyers) don't search online for homes. I disagree! What do you think? I would be curious if anyone has studied their site's analytics to see what search terms they are using to find a home. "first time buyer" is not a very strong strong term, at least not compared to "homes for sale".

Thanks!!!

**Chrisopher Moltisanti** · 12-08-2010, 08:01 AM

First timers are in their mid-twenties. They know-it-all and can locate whatever they want in about one, one hundredth of a second on their IPOD.

I'm sure there's some online software you can purchase to see which search terms
people are using.

**Enrico33** · 12-08-2010, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Chrisopher Moltisanti

I'm sure there's some online software you can purchase to see which search terms
people are using.

I have it, I would be interested in knowing what other's have found based on their experiences. There are vicissitudes not reflected in analytical analysis apps, You would be surprised to know that a term that's popular in one part of the country may not be as popular (or more) elsewhere. They have no way of telling a searcher's age ........

Thanks - I think my client might tell me his buyers don't have IPhones! I'll keep working on him.

**Chrisopher Moltisanti** · 12-08-2010, 08:23 AM

Don't waste your time chasing your tail looking for every little nuance and phrases people use or don't use or sometimes use, where, why, day and time and that: You'll go nuts and this crappy industry, chasing down qualified buyers (if they even exist) isn't worth it.

If your guy comes back with a stupid answer like that, agree with him and do as he says to the letter. Or if you don't have the patience to deal with yet another seller who knows it all, like me, assign that jackass to someone else who doesn't mind wasting their time and money.

"I think my client might tell me his buyers don't have IPhones!...". - Ha! How did I know this was coming. So typical. Another jerkoff seller.

**Enrico33** · 12-08-2010, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Chrisopher Moltisanti

Don't waste your time chasing your tail looking for every little nuance and phrases people use or don't use or sometimes use, where, why, day and time and that: You'll go nuts and this crappy industry, chasing down qualified buyers (if they even exist) isn't worth it.

I am a little neurotic about that, one of those arcane phrases did result in a million dollar contract for a commercial builder client.

Originally Posted by Chrisopher Moltisanti

If your guy comes back with a stupid answer like that, agree with him and do as he says to the letter. Or if you don't have the patience to deal with yet another seller who knows it all, like me, assign that jackass to someone else who doesn't mind wasting their time and money.

"I think my client might tell me his buyers don't have IPhones!...". - Ha! How did I know this was coming. So typical. Another jerkoff seller.

He has developed a bit of an attitude!

**Chrisopher Moltisanti** · 12-08-2010, 08:56 AM

"...one of those arcane phrases did result in a million dollar contract for a commercial builder client."
Aaaah, what do you mean? The million dollar client actually said to you: "The only reason I found this property is because I put in _____________for search terms in Google". If this is the case then you already answered your original question mate. If he didn't use this exact phrase, then how would you know the contract was caused by his search terms? The location and price had nothing to do with it? If your property listing (no matter commercial or residentual) is reasonably priced and in a great or up and coming neighborhood, it matters not the search terms used to find it. Try it, you'll see.

Yeah, he's got an attitude. Surprise, surprise. I sounds to me like you have the patience of a saint. If you believe in that sort of thing. And it also sounds like your client, even though he's a jerk, has something huge at stake. Like another commercial property perhaps? I can only guess how over priced it is, if this is the case. You got your work cut out for you man.

CM

**Enrico33** · 12-08-2010, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Chrisopher Moltisanti

"...one of those arcane phrases did result in a million dollar contract for a commercial builder client."
Aaaah, what do you mean? The million dollar client actually said to you: "The only reason I found this property is because I put in _____________for search terms in Google".

Pretty much, but it was the builder that was told this info (not me).

Originally Posted by Chrisopher Moltisanti

Yeah, he's got an attitude. Surprise, surprise. I sounds to me like you have the patience of a saint. If you believe in that sort of thing. And it also sounds like your client, even though he's a jerk, has something huge at stake. Like another commercial property perhaps? I can only guess how over priced it is, if this is the case. You got your work cut out for you man.

CM

Two different clients, two different attitudes!

**portland real estate** · 12-08-2010, 09:36 AM

Show him the latest NAR Profile of Home Buyers... lets see, my 2008 copy says that 89% of first time buyers used the Internet during their search process... so, hmmm, let me think about that, I think it might be a good idea

**Enrico33** · 12-08-2010, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by portland real estate

Show him the latest NAR Profile of Home Buyers... lets see, my 2008 copy says that 89% of first time buyers used the Internet during their search process... so, hmmm, let me think about that, I think it might be a good idea

Interesting, the 2010 Charlotte Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (slide 20, Google it) shows smaller numbers (for only Charlotte, NC), across age groups it's about 35% that look online. Sounds too low to me but ..........

**Ka.Warner** · 12-08-2010, 11:32 AM

I have a client who is convinced that putting his properties online is a waste since his buyers (first time buyers) don't search online for homes. I disagree! What do you think?

I find it amazing that a client in this day and age would make such a blanket statement about first-time home buyers. (Although in this industry you learn quickly not to be surprised by anything, but expect the unexpected).

In my experience, and the experience of others I would assume as NAR performed there study in 2008 and found that 87% of home buyers took to the internet. I have found that well more then 99% of my clients rely heavily on the internet. This is especially so with first time home buyers. So much so that some clients will not even go view a home without first seeing pictures off of the internet or through email.

I don't think you will have a difficult time persuading your client otherwise as soon as you show him the staggering statistic.

Actually come to think of it, the internet has made my job with buyers 150% less time consuming.