Has the real estate blog run it's course?

Just last week, a valued client contacted me about the sale of his home in Houston. I am not involved in that transaction. I sold him the home he and his family now own in Prosper, TX. But, since I did not have 'skin in the game' as he stated, he trusted my opinion. He wanted to know whether he should consider leasing out the home in Houston (YES!) since it wasn't selling. Over the course of the conversation, he candidly shared that he didn't trust the agent he was working with to advise him in an unbiased fashion on this matter.

The topic of my blog is whether or not the real estate blog has run it's course? But, the topic actually came out of the conversation that I had with this particular client. I believe it is essential that we put our opinions out on the web in an attempt to show people what we're made of prior to having 'skin in the game'. You don't have to look too far to find a person who has a real estate nightmare. It also isn't too difficult to find people who use the word real estate agent and Realtor as if they are interchangeable. The best of us don't have a halo that floats above our heads, and the bad ones look just like everybody else. People need information, especially at this time in our economy. Media reports make it seem like the sky is falling when it comes to real estate. It's all over tv, the newspapers, and online. But, there is no national real estate market. Real estate is a regional industry. And, although the foreclosure freeze is having some impact on our area, it is not going to be a crushing blow to the North Texas region.

Once we have that all important 'skin', meaning the outcome of a real estate transaction that would lead to a payday for the agent, it is important that we understand that to some, our believability factor is lower. They may not trust our opinion to be unbiased any longer. All the more reason that they know and trust you prior to doing business with you. Your blog can help you build that trust. When you and your public comments are consistent, even in light of some future payday, I have found that credibility with the client doesn't come into question as often. There is always someone out there who won't believe you. You haven't been in real estate long if you are still worried about pleasing everybody. But, your written word is that extended hand to a future client. And, your handshake and your word should be your bond.

I've seen a drop in blogs on some online sites. And, some real estate agents have never written a single blog. But, they are missing out on a huge opportunity to build a steady stream of future business. I have current clients who advised me that they decided I would be their agent no less than a year before they picked up the phone to call me out to their home. They are fans of my blog. They read my opinion of what's going on in our region and they know how I market homes even before our first listing appointment. When we do finally meet, it's as if we've known each other for some time already. They know me. And, they tell me that I'm exactly the way they knew I would be, by what they read in my blog. There is no competition for that client. They didn't call anyone else out to their home. I extended my hand, and their hand was extended in return.

It is never too late to start blogging. If you are carrying less business than you'd like, and you aren't a blogger, then you owe it to yourself to start. Don't tell me that you have nothing to write about. This economy and each of our regions are giving us more blog topics than you have hours in the day. Even better news - you don't have to pick just one.

Have a blessed day.

Ronda